Funeral Director

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £30,000

Typical Hours

41 to 43 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Funeral Director

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
working your way up

College / University

Apprenticeship

You can start by taking an intermediate apprenticeship as a funeral team member.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could start in a support role and get experience as you learn on the job. You would usually need a customer service background, and good IT and administration skills.

You could take a Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration, or a Certificate in Funeral Service, while you work.

As you take on more responsibilities, you could do the Diploma in Funeral Directing or the Diploma in Funeral Service.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
sensitivity and understanding
the ability to work well with others
business management skills
knowledge of English language
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

taking details from relatives or friends of the deceased
arranging for transfer of the body to the place of rest before the funeral
meeting with relatives or friends to give advice and arrange details of the funeral
arranging the date and time of the funeral with the church, cemetery or crematorium
organising flowers, transport and death notices
advising on legal requirements and helping clients complete paperwork
preparing the body for burial or cremation
arranging visits to the place of rest
dealing with floral tributes and charitable donations
travelling in the hearse at the time of the funeral

You'll also be:

making sure that everything runs smoothly during the ceremony
advising on types of memorials, like headstones

Working Environment

You could work at a funeral home, at a cemetery, in an office or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

With larger organisations, you could be promoted to branch, area or regional management.

With experience and qualifications you could become a tutor and teach NAFD qualifications.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can get more advice about training to work in the funeral service from the British Institute of Funeral Directors and the National Association of Funeral Directors.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.