Funeral services director
Also known as: cemetery manager, funeral home worker, bereavement manager, crematorium supervisor, burial ground custodian, crematorium operator
About this occupation
Funeral services directors coordinate the logistics of funerals. They support the deceased family by arranging the details concerning the location, dates and times of memorial services. Funeral services directors contact representatives of the cemetery to prepare the site, plan transportation for the deceased person, advise on the types of memorials and legal requirements or paperwork. Funeral services directors organise the daily operations of the crematorium. They oversee the staff's activities in the crematorium and ensure that they deliver services according to legal requirements. They monitor the crematorium service revenue budget and develop and maintain operational rules within the crematorium.
Essential skills and knowledge
- administer appointments
- show diplomacy
- promote human rights
- apply organisational techniques
- provide directions to guests
- business knowledge
- maintain customer service
- manage staff
- maintain personal hygiene standards
- advise on funeral services
- train employees
- develop organisational policies
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Funeral Home Managers (O*NET 11-9171.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- Schedule funerals, burials, or cremations.
- Deliver death certificates to medical facilities or offices to obtain signatures from legally authorized persons.
- Offer counsel and comfort to families and friends of the deceased.
- Monitor funeral service operations to ensure that they comply with applicable policies, regulations, and laws.
- Direct and supervise work of embalmers, funeral attendants, death certificate clerks, cosmetologists, or other staff.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Service Orientation, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Time Management, Speaking
US median pay: US$78,790 a year (2025), 13,910 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.4)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingVery important (3.7)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (3.6)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.2)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.1)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
- Funeral Attendants
- Crematory Operators
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Embalmers
- Administrative Services Managers
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
- Patient Representatives
- General and Operations Managers
- Residential Advisors
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.