Career Overview

Funeral directors manage all aspects of a funeral service including preparing the remains of the deceased person and organizing funerals.

Education

An associate’s degree in funeral service or mortuary science is the typical education requirement for funeral service workers. Most employers and state licensing laws require applicants to be 21 years old, have 2 years of formal education, have supervised training, and pass a state licensing exam.

Future Outlook

verall employment of funeral service workers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2019 to 2029. Demand for funeral service workers is expected to go down over the next decade as consumers increasingly prefer cremation, which costs less and requires fewer workers than traditional funeral arrangements.

Work Environment

Funeral service workers are employed in funeral homes and crematories. They are often on call, and long workdays are common, including evenings and weekends. Most work full time.

Recommended High School Courses

• Math
• Communication
• Science - as much as possible, including biology and psychology!