Funeral Director

Also known as:

Undertaker

Introduction

Funeral directors supervise the preparation of a deceased person for burial or cremation. They arrange the details of the funeral, and ensure that the ceremony is carried out smoothly. They have to deal tactfully and sympathetically with the family of the deceased.

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Work Activities

Funeral directors supervise the preparation of a deceased person for burial or cremation, arrange the details of the funeral itself, and make sure that the ceremony is carried out smoothly.

When someone dies, the relatives or friends usually contact a funeral director. He or she then arranges for the deceased to be taken to a chapel of rest, which is often at the funeral director's premises.

The funeral director advises the bereaved on the arrangements for the funeral and helps them with the legal documentation. They may have to liaise with crematorium officials, ministers of religion, florists and caterers as part of the practical organisation of the funeral.

The preparation of the deceased prior to the funeral may involve preserving the body by embalming. During this process bodily fluids are removed and replaced with embalming fluid, and the features enhanced to reflect a true likeness of the person. In some funeral companies, particularly smaller family businesses, the funeral director carries out this work. In others, a specialist embalmer may be employed.

During the funeral itself the director supervises drivers and pallbearers, gives directions to the mourners and ensures that no element of the proceedings is forgotten or mistimed.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a funeral director you must be able to communicate tactfully yet effectively with bereaved friends and relatives, listening sympathetically and carrying out their wishes without becoming too emotionally involved. You need to be a good organiser as there may be detailed negotiations with cemetery officials.

You need to be a good listener and able to get on with people from different backgrounds.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Funeral directors earn in the range of £11,500 - £14,000 a year, rising to £15,000. Higher earners can make around £20,000 a year.

Funeral directors work a basic 39-hour week. Irregular hours including early morning, evening and weekend work and call-outs may be required.

Employers throughout the UK are funeral companies. Some are small, family firms, which may offer limited opportunities for promotion. Prospects may be better with larger companies.

This is a stable area of work, which employs a limited number of people.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have relevant skills and abilities gained working for a funeral company as a pall-bearer, usher or driver.

Some entrants have gained skills in handling people in distressed or difficult personal situations. Some entrants have gained relevant skills and abilities in administrative or office work.

• 6% of people in occupations such as funeral director work part-time.
• 12% have flexible hours.

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