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What Does it Take to Be a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director?
Example of Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director Job Perform various tasks to arrange and direct 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.
Daily Life Of a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director
- Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
- Plan placement of caskets at funeral sites or place or adjust lights, fixtures, or floral displays.
- Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- Participate in community activities for funeral home promotion or other purposes.
- Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
- Remove deceased remains from place of death.
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What Every Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director Should Know
When polled, Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Related Job Titles
- Funeral Planner
- Funeral Location Manager
- Hospital Mortician
- Funeral Pre-arrangement Specialist
- Funeral Counselor
Is There Going to be Demand for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 28,700 jobs in the United States for Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.8% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,100 new jobs for Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director by 2026. The BLS estimates 3,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director are Colorado, Utah, and Maine. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director Average Salary
The salary for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors ranges between about $29,050 and $89,050 a year.
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors who work in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $40,840 |
| Arizona | $45,830 |
| Arkansas | $41,330 |
| California | $51,350 |
| Colorado | $53,190 |
| Connecticut | $159,970 |
| Delaware | $67,430 |
| Florida | $57,030 |
| Georgia | $47,120 |
| Hawaii | $40,140 |
| Idaho | $54,920 |
| Illinois | $72,280 |
| Indiana | $53,640 |
| Iowa | $68,300 |
| Kansas | $57,990 |
| Kentucky | $44,460 |
| Louisiana | $41,450 |
| Maine | $55,850 |
| Maryland | $59,470 |
| Massachusetts | $71,670 |
| Michigan | $63,280 |
| Minnesota | $67,550 |
| Mississippi | $35,630 |
| Missouri | $43,170 |
| Montana | $57,200 |
| Nebraska | $69,280 |
| Nevada | $39,910 |
| New Hampshire | $69,350 |
| New Jersey | $72,250 |
| New Mexico | $61,540 |
| New York | $68,130 |
| North Carolina | $56,170 |
| North Dakota | $72,220 |
| Ohio | $55,460 |
| Oklahoma | $55,370 |
| Oregon | $51,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,330 |
| South Carolina | $48,120 |
| South Dakota | $56,360 |
| Tennessee | $51,580 |
| Texas | $53,560 |
| Utah | $56,820 |
| Vermont | $66,610 |
| Virginia | $57,930 |
| Washington | $57,140 |
| West Virginia | $49,810 |
| Wisconsin | $59,760 |
| Wyoming | $61,280 |
What Tools & Technology do Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Corel WordPerfect
- FPA Software MACCS
- HMIS Advantage
- Belmar & Associates Mortware
- Custom Data Systems Sterling Management Software
- Twin Tier Technologies MIMS
How do I Become a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director?
What work experience do I need to become a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director?
References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Andrew Lee via Public domain
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