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All About Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors
Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director Job Description 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.
Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director Responsibilities
- Remove deceased remains from place of death.
- Close caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.
- Receive or usher people to their seats for services.
- Arrange for pallbearers or inform pallbearers or honorary groups of their duties.
- Plan placement of caskets at funeral sites or place or adjust lights, fixtures, or floral displays.
- Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
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Skills Needed to be a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director
Below is a list of the skills most Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors say are important on the job.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Other Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director Job Titles
- Funeral Location Manager
- Funeral Home Manager
- Funeral Pre-Need Consultant
- Funeral Director
- Funeral Arrangement Director
Job 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,700 job openings in this field each year.
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 average yearly salary of a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director ranges between $29,050 and $89,050.
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 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 is needed to be a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Mortician, Undertaker, or Funeral Director?
Who Employs Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors?
Below are examples of industries where Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors work:
References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Andrew Lee via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.