Funeral Home Workers

Employers

Funeral directors are usually employed by a funeral home or are in business themselves. There are approximately 24,200 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers and 14,200 funeral home managers in the United States. Funeral attendants hold another 32,620 jobs, while embalmers number about 3,380. The majority of embalmers, mortuary science technicians, and funeral attendants are employed by funeral homes, though a small number work for hospitals and medical schools. Employers for these professions are located worldwide.

Starting Out

After attending an accredited school of mortuary science for two to four years, beginning workers who plan to become funeral directors or embalmers start out as mortuary science technicians. Those who are interested in working in the industry, but not becoming funeral directors or embalmers, can break into the field by working as funeral attendants.

Most mortuary science schools provide placement assistance for graduates. Additionally, since many schools require internship programs, students are often able to obtain permanent jobs where they have trained.