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Funeral Director
Also called: Mortician · Undertaker · Funeral Arranger · Funeral Home Manager
What funeral directors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a funeral director do?
Morticians, undertakers and funeral arrangers manage funerals, help families plan services, handle legal paperwork and coordinate burial or cremation. The median pay is $55,010 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–4 years including apprenticeship, and employment is projected to grow +3.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$55,010$26.45/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year3,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2–4 years including apprenticeshipTypical program length
- U.S. jobs26,700Employment, 2025
What funeral directors do
Funeral directors support families at one of life’s hardest moments. They meet with families to plan services, arrange burial or cremation, prepare obituaries, file death certificates and permits, coordinate with clergy, cemeteries and florists, and direct services. Many also embalm and manage funeral home business operations.
Funeral directors usually complete an associate degree in mortuary science, an apprenticeship and the national board exam, then get a state license. Compassion and calm professionalism are essential.
Typical duties
- Meet with families to plan services
- Arrange burial, cremation and transportation
- File death certificates and permits
- Prepare obituaries
- Coordinate with clergy, cemeteries and vendors
- Direct funerals and memorials
- Manage funeral home operations
Work environment and schedule
Funeral directors work in funeral homes, cemeteries, churches and family homes, often on call.
Schedule: Hours are irregular, with evenings, weekends and on-call duty.
A day in the life
- Respond to an overnight call and transfer a deceased person from a hospital.
- Meet a family to plan a service.
- File the death certificate and burial permit.
- Coordinate flowers and the cemetery.
See a full day in the life of a funeral director →
Funeral Director salary
Half of funeral directors earned more than $55,010 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,350 for the lowest 10% to $88,620 for the top 10%.
Full funeral director pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a funeral director
- Earn a mortuary science degree
- Complete an apprenticeship
- Pass the National Board Exam
- Get licensed
- Advance
Funeral directors typically complete an associate degree in mortuary science from an ABFSE-accredited program, an apprenticeship and the National Board Exam, then get a state license.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a funeral director →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Funeral planning
- Legal documentation
- Mortuary science
- Grief support
- Business management
People skills
- Compassion
- Composure
- Communication
- Organization
All funeral director skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Meaningful service to families
- Steady demand
- Associate degree path
- Business ownership potential
Cons
- Emotionally heavy work
- On-call hours
- Licensing requirements
- Physically demanding transfers
Certifications and licenses
- State funeral director license: Required in every state.
- National Board Exam: International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards exam.
- Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP): Professional credential.
- Crematory operator certification: Training for crematory operations.
Career path
- Funeral Service Apprentice: Learn under a director.
- Licensed Funeral Director: Serve families.
- Funeral Home Manager: Run operations.
- Funeral Home Owner: Own a business.
Learn the job before day one
Our Funeral Director training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as lead an arrangement conference and file a death certificate, safety and how to land your first job.
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Funeral Director FAQ
How long does it take to become a funeral director?
Often two to four years, including school and apprenticeship.
Do funeral directors embalm?
Many do; some states license embalmers separately.
Is the job emotionally hard?
It can be, but many find it deeply meaningful.
How much does a funeral director make?
The median annual wage for funeral directors was $55,010 ($26.45 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,350 and the highest 10% earned more than $88,620.
How long does it take to become a funeral director?
Most people need about 2–4 years including apprenticeship of training. Funeral directors typically complete an associate degree in mortuary science from an ABFSE-accredited program, an apprenticeship and the National Board Exam, then get a state license.
Do you need a degree to be a funeral director?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.
More funeral director questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 39-4031 (Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.