Funeral Attendants
SOC code 39-4021 · O*NET-SOC 39-4021.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Funeral Attendants pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$35,680
a year
Hourly
$17.16
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$37,190
$17.88 per hour
Middle 50%
$30,380 – $42,870
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$28,070 – $48,460
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
31,090
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $28,070
- $13.50/hr
- 25th percentile
- $30,380
- $14.61/hr
- Median percentile
- $35,680
- $17.16/hr
- 75th percentile
- $42,870
- $20.61/hr
- 90th percentile
- $48,460
- $23.30/hr
What does a funeral attendant do?
Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or lights around casket, directing or escorting mourners, closing casket, and issuing and storing funeral equipment.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Embalm, dress, cosmeticize, and casket the deceased.
- Prepare obituaries for newspapers.
- Obtain burial permits and register deaths.
- Transport the deceased to the funeral home.
- Obtain doctors' signatures on death certificate and complete other paperwork, such as insurance claims forms.
- Greet people at the funeral home.
- Assist with cremations and the processing and packaging of cremated remains.
- Perform a variety of tasks during funerals to assist funeral directors and to ensure that services run smoothly and as planned.
How to become a funeral attendant
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 47% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)47%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree22%
- Some College Courses13%
- Bachelor's Degree9%
Common questions
How much does a funeral attendant earn?
The national median is $35,680 a year. The full range runs from $28,070 at the 10th percentile to $48,460 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a funeral attendant without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.8/5
- Critical Thinking2.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administrative3.4/5
- Transportation3.0/5
- Computers and Electronics2.9/5
- Law and Government2.7/5
- Communications and Media2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination.