Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
SOC code 39-4031 · O*NET-SOC 39-4031.00 · Medium preparation needed
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$55,010
a year
Hourly
$26.45
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$58,160
$27.96 per hour
Middle 50%
$42,430 – $72,010
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$33,350 – $88,620
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
25,100
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $33,350
- $16.03/hr
- 25th percentile
- $42,430
- $20.40/hr
- Median percentile
- $55,010
- $26.45/hr
- 75th percentile
- $72,010
- $34.62/hr
- 90th percentile
- $88,620
- $42.61/hr
What do morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers do?
Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
- Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
- Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
- Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- Remove deceased remains from place of death.
- Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate funerals, burials, or cremations, arranging details such as floral delivery or the time and place of services.
- Close caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree — 73% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree73%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)15%
- Bachelor's Degree11%
- Some College Courses0%
Common questions
How much does a morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers earn?
The national median is $55,010 a year. The full range runs from $33,350 at the 10th percentile to $88,620 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 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.7/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Administrative3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Psychology3.4/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.2/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
- Sales and Marketing3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Time Management, Persuasion.