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Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Compare to another career

Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $55,010/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$33,350$88,620

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 3,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningService OrientationCoordinationSpeakingTime ManagementWritingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingPersuasion
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementPsychologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsBiology
Core tasks

• Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.

• Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.

• Perform embalming duties, as necessary.

• Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.

• Remove deceased remains from place of death.

• Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.

• Plan, schedule, or coordinate funerals, burials, or cremations, arranging details such as floral delivery or the time and place of services.

• Close caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers?

The median pay for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers is $55,010 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers?

Employment for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers is projected to change +3.1% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers?

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers?

About 3,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.