Funeral Director onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: State funeral director license, National Board Exam (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: funeral home management software; transfer vehicles and stretchers; embalming equipment; documentation systems
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Funeral Director training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Use proper lifting for transfers
Follow infection control and PPE
Comply with FTC Funeral Rule pricing disclosures
Care for your own mental health
Shadow an experienced funeral director through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: lead an arrangement conference
Supervised practice: file a death certificate
Supervised practice: direct a funeral service
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Meet with families to plan services: independently
Arrange burial, cremation and transportation: independently
File death certificates and permits: independently
Prepare obituaries: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, State funeral director license)
Discuss the career path: Funeral Service Apprentice → Licensed Funeral Director → Funeral Home Manager
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Lead an Arrangement Conference
File a Death Certificate
Direct a Funeral Service
Funeral planning
Legal documentation
Mortuary science
Grief support

How to measure onboarding success

Rebooking and retention rates
Revenue or sessions per week
Client reviews and complaints
90-day retention

How Funeral Director training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Funeral Director Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Funeral Director Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Funeral Director Career
Final Knowledge Check

Get team pricing

Funeral Director Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)