What Does it Take to Be a Funeral Service Manager?
Occupation Description Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes. Includes activities such as determining prices for services or merchandise and managing the facilities of funeral homes.
Life As a Funeral Service Manager: What Do They Do?
- Direct or monitor administrative, support, repair, or maintenance services for funeral homes.
- Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to identify opportunities for cost reductions or service improvements.
- Attend or make presentations at community events to promote funeral home services or build community relationships.
- Explain goals, policies, or procedures to staff members.
- Negotiate contracts for prearranged funeral services.
- Complete and maintain records such as state-required documents, tracking documents, or product inventories.
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What Every Funeral Service Manager Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Funeral Service Managers say are important on the job.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Other Funeral Service Manager Job Titles
- Funeral Home Director
- Sales Manager, Prearranged Funerals
- Mortuary Operations Manager
- Funeral Planning Counselor
- Funeral Planner
Is There Going to be Demand for Funeral Service Managers?
There were about 25,700 jobs for Funeral Service Manager in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,800 new jobs for Funeral Service Manager by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,000 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Funeral Service Manager are Utah, New Jersey, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Kansas, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Funeral Service Manager
The salary for Funeral Service Managers ranges between about $41,410 and $151,680 a year.

Funeral Service Managers who work in Virginia, Wisconsin, or Michigan, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Funeral Service Managers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $78,000 |
Arizona | $77,600 |
Arkansas | $76,810 |
California | $86,900 |
Colorado | $77,350 |
Florida | $87,070 |
Georgia | $72,010 |
Idaho | $67,110 |
Illinois | $91,090 |
Indiana | $73,390 |
Kansas | $70,110 |
Kentucky | $79,330 |
Louisiana | $89,320 |
Maine | $87,150 |
Maryland | $104,930 |
Massachusetts | $107,520 |
Michigan | $113,190 |
Minnesota | $107,960 |
New Jersey | $118,770 |
New Mexico | $64,320 |
New York | $97,400 |
North Carolina | $94,170 |
Ohio | $113,130 |
Oklahoma | $77,100 |
Pennsylvania | $114,030 |
South Carolina | $63,540 |
Tennessee | $83,480 |
Texas | $80,560 |
Virginia | $113,360 |
West Virginia | $108,730 |
Wisconsin | $110,990 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Funeral Service Managers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Funeral Service Managers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Financial reporting software
- FPA Software MACCS
- HMIS Advantage
- Twin Tiers Technologies MIMS
How do I Become a Funeral Service Manager?
What education is needed to be a Funeral Service Manager?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Funeral Service Managers Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Andrew Lee via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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