Funeral director

Funeral directors supervise the preparation of a deceased person for burial or cremation. They take responsibility for the care and presentation of the deceased, arrange the details of the funeral and make sure that the ceremony is carried out smoothly. They deal tactfully and sympathetically with the family and friends of the deceased.

Also known as:

• Undertaker

Work activities

Funeral directors supervise the preparation of a deceased person for burial or cremation, arrange the details of the funeral itself, and make sure that the ceremony is carried out smoothly. When someone dies, the relatives or friends usually contact a funeral director who then arranges for the deceased to be taken to a chapel of rest, which is often at the funeral director’s premises. The funeral director advises the relatives on the arrangements for the funeral and helps them with the legal documentation. They might organise transport, music and newspaper announcements. They liaise with crematorium officials, religious leaders, florists and caterers as part of the practical organisation of the funeral. They advise relatives on the choice of coffins, type of service available and any special, personal arrangements the family would like to make. They might deal with donations to a charity instead of flowers.

The preparation of the deceased prior to the funeral might involve preserving the body by embalming. During this process, bodily fluids are removed and replaced with embalming fluid, and the features enhanced to reflect a true likeness of the person. The family/friends can then view their loved one. In some funeral companies, particularly smaller family businesses, the funeral director carries out this work. In others, a specialist embalmer might be employed.

During the funeral itself, the director supervises drivers and pall-bearers, gives directions to the mourners and makes sure that no element of the proceedings is forgotten or mistimed. Funeral directors sometimes organise funerals at a woodland burial site, rather than in a traditional cemetery. They may arrange for an environmentally friendly, biodegradable coffin to be used. Attending funerals involves being outdoors in all types of weather.

Personal Qualities and Skills

As a funeral director, you need:

• To communicate tactfully yet effectively with the bereaved family.
• A smart appearance.
• Good listening skills.
• A sympathetic, caring and professional manner.
• Good organisational and prioritising skills.
• To treat information as confidential.
• Excellent teamwork skills.
• To pay attention to detail and carry out the wishes of the bereaved family.
• You usually need a driving licence.

Pay and Opportunities  

The pay rates given are approximate. Funeral directors earn in the range of £20,000 - £27,000 a year.

Some funeral directors might work a 41-43-hour week or, with other funeral companies. Irregular hours including early morning, evening and weekend work and callouts are often required.

Employers are funeral companies. Some are small, family firms, which might offer limited opportunities for promotion. Prospects could be better with the larger, national funeral companies. Opportunities for funeral directors occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

What’s happening in this work area?

This is a stable area of work, which employs a limited number of people.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, in trade industry magazines, on employers’ websites, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

No formal entry requirements are usually required for this job. A level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship as a funeral team member is available. You will train on-the-job and work towards relevant qualifications. Direct application is also possible.

Initial training is in the workplace, performing routine tasks such as adding linings and handles to coffins, collecting flowers and acting as a pall-bearer. Some begin work as a funeral administrator. Trainees could study towards diplomas in funeral arranging and administration, funeral directing and funeral service.

Some funeral directors working for large organisations can progress to become area or regional managers. Others could become self-employed and start up their own funeral service business.

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) offers the online Funeral Service Awareness Training course for people thinking of funeral directing as a career, or those new to the profession.

Qualifications

Employers look for a good general education. GCSEs in English and maths are particularly useful. Some entrants have A-levels.

To get onto an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme. A relevant work-related qualification, such as an Edexcel (BTEC) level 2 First qualification or an Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualification, might be accepted for entry.

Funeral directors often have to drive, so a full driving licence is usually required. Some insurers require drivers of hearses and limousines (funeral cars) to be over 21 or 25 years of age.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have relevant skills and abilities gained working for a funeral company as a pall-bearer, administrator, usher or driver. Some entrants have gained skills in handling people in distressed or difficult personal situations, or in administrative or office work.

Related careers

• Advice centre worker
• Counsellor
• Crematorium technician
• Social worker