Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Funeral Director
What funeral directors actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Respond to an overnight call and transfer a deceased person from a hospital. From there, the day usually includes meet with families to plan services, arrange burial, cremation and transportation, and file death certificates and permits. Hours are irregular, with evenings, weekends and on-call duty.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a funeral director working full time.
- 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.
- Direct a visitation.
- Write an obituary with family input.
- Prepare for tomorrow’s funeral.
Where funeral directors work
Funeral directors work in funeral homes, cemeteries, churches and family homes, often on call.
Hours and schedule
Hours are irregular, with evenings, weekends and on-call duty.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- 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
Tools you’ll use every day
- Funeral home management software
- Transfer vehicles and stretchers
- Embalming equipment
- Documentation systems
- Audio-visual equipment
- Caskets and urns
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Meaningful service to families
- Steady demand
- Associate degree path
- Business ownership potential
What’s hard
- Emotionally heavy work
- On-call hours
- Licensing requirements
- Physically demanding transfers
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I’m compassionate and calm
- I can handle emotional situations
- I’m organized with details
- I can work on call
- I want to serve families
- I might own a business
Not sure? Take the free Funeral Director fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use proper lifting for transfers
- Follow infection control and PPE
- Comply with FTC Funeral Rule pricing disclosures
- Care for your own mental health