What does a Funeral Director do?

Funeral Directors typically work in funeral homes and crematoriums. One of their primary responsibilities is to help mourners make difficult decisions, so they must be empathetic and compassionate. A Funeral Director also has to follow local, state and federal laws regarding service pricing, business licensing and body preparation. Therefore, this job requires the ability to understand complex regulations and take the steps necessary to comply with them.

Funeral Director skills and qualifications

The exact skills and qualifications of a Funeral Director depend on what type of job opening you have, but these are some of the most common requirements:

• Excellent customer service skills

• Ability to handle delicate situations with grace and professionalism

• Basic computer skills, such as word processing and spreadsheets

• Strong attention to detail

• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws

• In-depth understanding of different religious beliefs and funeral practices

• Ability to coordinate multiple services in a limited amount of time

Funeral Director experience requirements

Many companies prefer to hire Funeral Directors with several years of experience. If you’re willing to train someone, however, you may benefit from hiring a newly licensed Funeral Director and training them to follow your mortuary’s policies. The requirements to be a Funeral Director vary from one state to another, but most Funeral Directors complete an internship before getting licensed. Therefore, your new hire should have at least some experience coordinating funeral services and performing related services.

Funeral Director education and training requirements

A Funeral Director must typically have an associate’s degree in mortuary science or funeral services. These programs often include coursework in business law, professional ethics, service coordination and grief counseling. Mortuary science programs also cover embalming techniques and other topics related to the preparation of bodies for burial or cremation.

Although for most employers a two-year degree is the minimum requirement, you may want to look for a Funeral Director with a bachelor’s degree depending on the needs of the role. To become licensed, a Funeral Director must also complete an internship lasting from one to three years. Your state may even require licensed Funeral Directors to complete a certain number of continuing education units each year.

Funeral Director salary expectations

The average salary of a Funeral Director in the United States is $61,773 per year, according to Indeed. However, this salary may vary based on the location of the mortuary and the candidate’s experience. 

Funeral Director job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Funeral Director and a mortician?

Some mortuaries hire Funeral Directors and morticians to perform the same duties. Others create separate job descriptions for each title. In this case, the Funeral Director job description usually focuses on planning and service coordination, while the mortician job description includes embalming and restoration services.

What are the day-to-day duties of a Funeral Director?

A Funeral Director typically meets with family members, makes funeral arrangements and coordinates the work of florists, caterers and other service providers. Some Funeral Directors also handle embalming and restorative work. When they aren’t meeting with family members or preparing bodies for burial, Funeral Directors spend time on administrative tasks.

What should you look for in a Funeral Director resume?

When reviewing resumes, look for a candidate with experience that matches the duties listed in your job description. For example, if one person has embalming experience and the other doesn’t, the first candidate may be a better fit for your needs. You should also look for someone who satisfies your state’s education and licensing requirements.

Who reports to a Funeral Director?

Some Funeral Directors are responsible for supervising other mortuary employees. Therefore, several job titles may report to a Funeral Director, including funeral service assistant, mortuary cosmetologist, cremation specialist, floral designer, funeral attendant and catering services coordinator.