How to Become a Funeral Director: Step-by-Step Guide

What if a career could stay steady no matter economic ups and downs? Funeral services are essential — the global death care market was valued at about USD 142 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow further in 2026 as populations age and personal memorial preferences evolve. If you’re wondering how to become a funeral director, this guide breaks down the steps that will prepare you for stable, meaningful work: from coursework and hands‑on training to licensing and building real confidence in supporting families.

5 Main Steps to Become a Funeral Director

A career in funeral services follows a well-defined process that blends education, practical training, and professional licensing. For those exploring how to become a funeral director, the table below outlines each stage of the journey, along with clear explanations to guide your next steps.

Step	Core Focus
Obtain an Associate’s Degree	Build foundational knowledge in mortuary science.
Complete an Apprenticeship	Gain supervised, real-world experience.
Obtain State Licensure	Meet state and national requirements.
Update Your Resume	Prepare for employment in funeral services.
Maintain Licensure	Maintain credentials and stay current.

Also Read: Master’s in Grief Counseling and Thanatology: Salaries and Job Prospects

Step 1. Obtain an Associate’s Degree

What It Covers: Most states require an associate’s degree in mortuary science or thanatology from an accredited institution. Coursework includes embalming, funeral law, ethics, restorative art, and grief support.

Step 2. Complete an Apprenticeship

What It Covers: Working under a licensed funeral director helps you gain real-world experience in service planning, family interactions, and behind-the-scenes operations in a supportive, supervised environment.

Step 3. Obtain State Licensure

What It Covers: Working under a licensed funeral director helps you gain real-world experience in service planning, family interactions, and behind-the-scenes operations in a supportive, supervised environment.

Step 4. Update Your Resume

What It Covers: Your resume should reflect hands-on experience, training, and people skills that funeral homes value.

Step 5. Maintain Licensure

What It Covers: Your resume should reflect hands-on experience, training, and people skills that funeral homes value.

What Does a Funeral Director Do on a Daily Basis?

The daily work of a funeral director is steady, people-focused, and often unpredictable. Each day calls for careful coordination behind the scenes while staying fully present for families who need guidance and reassurance.

• Morning Responsibilities: Start by reviewing the day’s schedule, confirming service times, checking preparation rooms, and coordinating with staff to avoid last-minute issues.
• Meeting With Families: Sit down with families to discuss arrangements, explain options clearly, and help them make decisions at their own pace.
• Legal and Administrative Duties: Prepare and file required documents, including death certificates and permits, while coordinating with hospitals, cemeteries, and local offices.
• Service Coordination: Organize visitations, memorials, or funerals by managing timelines, transportation, and service details.
• Embalming and Body Preparation: Supervise or assist with preparation, ensuring every step is handled with care, respect, and professionalism.
• Duties During a Service: Oversee the event, guide staff, support families, and quietly resolve any concerns that arise.
• Post-Funeral Services Include: Follow up with families, complete paperwork, manage accounts, and share grief support resources when needed.

Also Read: Essential Thanatology Courses for Understanding Death, Grief, and Bereavement

Essential Soft Skills for a Successful Funeral Director

When people ask how to become a funeral director, they often focus on education and licensing. Just as important are the soft skills that allow professionals to support grieving families while managing services with care and professionalism.

• Empathy and Compassion: Being present, listening without rushing, and offering comfort when words are hard to find.
• Communication Skills: Explaining choices in simple terms and guiding conversations with patience and clarity.
• Attention to Detail: Making sure every arrangement, document, and timing detail is handled correctly.
• Time Management and Organization: Juggling services, meetings, and paperwork without things slipping through the cracks.
• Emotional Resilience: Staying steady and professional in emotionally heavy situations.
• Professionalism and Ethics: Acting with integrity, discretion, and respect at all times.
• Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Adjusting calmly when plans change unexpectedly.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Honoring different beliefs, traditions, and family wishes with care.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations of a Funeral Director

A career as a funeral director offers stable demand, meaningful work, and room to grow over time. With the right education and experience, professionals can build long-term stability in this field.

• Education Required: Associate or bachelor’s degree in mortuary science; advanced studies in thanatology strengthen grief support and leadership skills.
• Job Outlook: Consistent demand as communities always need end-of-life services.
• Licenses/Certifications: State licensure required with ongoing training.
• Work Environment: Funeral homes, crematories, and community settings.
• Pay: Average annual salary is about USD 55,000 – 101,000 in the U.S. (Source: Glassdoor, as of April 10, 2025)
• Similar Occupations: Embalmer, bereavement counselor, cemetery manager.

Also Read: Career Opportunities in Thanatology: What You Need to Know

How Advanced Education Can Support a Career in Funeral Services?

Pursuing an online Master of Science in Thanatology  can give aspiring professionals the edge they need when asking, how can I become a funeral director. This advanced degree deepens understanding of grief counseling, ethics, leadership, and service management, all essential for guiding families through life’s most difficult moments.

Flexible online learning lets you balance studies with work while building practical skills in communication, empathy, and decision-making. Combined with hands-on experience, this advanced education equips graduates for meaningful, people-centered careers in funeral services and opens doors to leadership roles, management opportunities, and long-term professional growth.

FAQs on How to Become a Funeral Director

Q: Do funeral directors in the USA need a college degree?
Ans: Most states require an associate or bachelor’s degree in mortuary science or thanatology. Hands-on experience through an apprenticeship is also necessary to qualify for licensing.

Q: Is funeral directing a stressful career in the USA?
Ans: It can be challenging. Funeral directors juggle grieving families, logistics, and legal paperwork. Strong organization, empathy, and self-care strategies help manage stress effectively.

Q: Can you become a funeral director online in the USA?
Ans: Yes. Online programs, such as a Master of Science in Thanatology, teach essential skills. Practical internships or apprenticeships are still required to meet licensing rules.

Q: Is a license required to work in funeral services in the USA?
Ans: Yes. Funeral directors must hold a state license, which requires formal education, supervised training, and passing licensing exams.

Q: Are there career advancement opportunities in funeral services in the USA?
Ans: Yes. Funeral directors can advance by managing or owning funeral homes, teaching mortuary science, taking administrative roles, or specializing in grief counseling or cremation services, building experience and leadership over time.