Funeral Director
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Funeral DirectorFrom this site of the U.S. Department of Labor, you can gather some basic information on what it’s like to be a funeral director and also details on wages and related occupations. You’ll learn about training, qualifications, and advancement. Reading the work description might help you decide if being a funeral director is right for you.
Princeton Review: Mortuary ScienceFind out about the basics of mortuary science at this site, which also offers links to information on actual high school preparation for the career, schools offering the major, sample undergraduate curriculum, and graduate programs in the field.
Occupational Titles
Funeral Director
Mortician
Undertaker
Accredited Academic Programs
American Board of Funeral Service EducationThis is the national academic overseer of funeral services college and university programs, ensuring high standards in this important field. Scholarships, programs, and links to frequently asked questions about the job market and going to college to become a funeral director are provided.
Princeton Review: Schools Offering Mortuary ScienceThe list of schools at this page offers links to accredited programs across the country in mortuary science. If you are interested in becoming a funeral director or mortician, go to these school sites to explore what interests you.
Salary Levels
PayScale: Funeral DirectorFree salary information is available at this page, which combines details on median salary for a funeral director, with information according to years of experience. The median salary by employer type is also displayed at the page, which has connections to further information on salary by city, by certification, industry, gender, degree, or major.
Professional Organizations
Academy of Professional Funeral Service PracticeThe designation of membership in this organization provides professionals with a distinction of service that sets them apart. Find out about membership in this organization and what benefits are available to you as a member in the funeral services profession.
American Society of EmbalmersPromoting excellence in the practice, this organization offers learning and networking opportunities, as well as career information, a list of approved schools, and information on what’s new in mortuary science. A student membership is available.
National Funeral Directors’ AssociationLearn all about funeral service and its related professions at this organization, dedicated to ensuring high standards in the field. Publications are available, as well as funeral career services, statistics, trends in the industry, and other funeral service association links.
Job Opportunity Sources
National Funeral Directors’ Association: Funeral Career CenterThe career center of this organization offers job seekers the ability to post a resume at this page, view the latest jobs in the field, and create personal job alerts and job seeker accounts. Other career resources include links to mortuary science programs, funeral service scholarships, and state funeral directors’ associations.
Simply Hired: Funeral Director/Embalmer JobsThe group of links available at this site connects you to a few available jobs in the mortuary science field. Positions are taken from other major career sites and include opportunities across the country.
Licensing & Certification
National Funeral Directors’ Association: State Licensing BoardsFind out about local requirements from your state licensing board by connecting directly to specific state sites. Types of license, educational requirements, continuing education requirements, and apprenticeship needs are listed by state, as well as contact information for each board and its web site.
Publications
American Funeral DirectorIndustry news is available at this online publication version, as well as web exclusive articles. A free biweekly e-zine for funeral and cemetery professionals is available, with links to important related resources.
International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral AssociationIndustry resources are available here, providing details on products for the profession, an Internet expo, news, and links to state and regional associations. The consumer guide also offers answers to important questions on funeral and cemetery arrangements and issues related to end-of-life.
Mortuary ManagementMortuary Management is a trade publication that provides funeral directors, embalmers, cemeteries, and students with information on the industry, suppliers, independent news, and guidance in practice. Features of the current issues are available online, as well as back issues, and other sources of information for the profession.
Online Forums & Blogs
Funeral WatchFrom American Funeral Director, this list requires a free sign-up to participate and offers the ability to network with funeral service and cemetery colleagues nationwide about building a business, laws, regulations, and important end-of-life topics.
Career Videos
YouTube: Funeral Director Job DescriptionFind out how funeral directors make a difficult time easier and the choices they help families make. You will learn how you might handle the practical and emotional needs of a family, the variety of services a funeral director provides, and the needed establishment of relationships with the government and diversity of the populations served. Licensing requirements, apprenticeships, and examination requirements are discussed, as well as factors indicating a promising future for these professionals.
