Funeral Home Manager

Your Fit

Income

$77K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

2.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Funeral Home Manager?

A Funeral Home Manager oversees the operations of a funeral home, including the coordination of funeral services and the management of staff and facilities. They play a crucial role in ensuring compassionate and professional services for families during times of bereavement.

Sample job titles:

Funeral Director, Funeral Home Manager, Funeral Service Manager, Location Manager

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Funeral Home Manager.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Funeral Home Manager earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$46K per year	$60K per year	$77K per year	$99K per year	$132K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $27K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Funeral Home Manager do?

Work environment

Funeral Home Managers work in funeral homes or mortuaries, often involving a quiet, respectful environment. Their work can include irregular hours, with services often held in the evenings or on weekends. They frequently interact with grieving families, requiring a high level of empathy and professionalism.

Quick task list

Coordinates funeral services and oversees funeral arrangements.
Manages funeral home staff, including funeral directors and administrative personnel.
Ensures compliance with state regulations and industry standards.
Manages the funeral home's budget, expenses, and financial planning.
Provides support and guidance to grieving families.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Grief Counseling: Providing emotional support and guidance to bereaved families.
Event Planning and Coordination: Specializing in the organization of funeral services and memorials.
Business Management: Focusing on the administrative and financial aspects of running a funeral home.
Embalming and Restorative Art: Specializing in the preparation and presentation of the deceased.

Description

The role of a Funeral Home Manager is multifaceted, combining aspects of business management with compassionate client service. They are responsible for creating a supportive environment for families during a difficult time, ensuring that all aspects of funeral services are carried out with dignity and respect. This includes overseeing the preparation of the deceased, arranging visitations, and coordinating the funeral service itself.

Managers must also handle the business side, which involves financial management, staff supervision, and ensuring that the facility meets all regulatory requirements. Strong leadership and organizational skills are essential, as well as the ability to manage a team effectively.

Dealing with bereaved families requires a high level of empathy and excellent communication skills. Funeral Home Managers need to be understanding and patient, providing support and guidance through the funeral planning process. It's a role that demands a balance of soft skills and business acumen.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Providing comfort and support to families in times of need.
Ensuring dignified and respectful funeral services.
Managing a team and running a successful business.

You might make a good Funeral Home Manager if you are...

Compassionate and empathetic, with a desire to help others.
Organized and detail-oriented, capable of handling complex event planning.
Strong in leadership and management skills.
Able to handle emotionally challenging situations with grace and professionalism.
Interested in combining business management with a service-oriented role.

Pros:

Deep sense of fulfillment from helping families during difficult times.
Opportunity to lead and manage a business.
Variety in daily tasks and responsibilities.

Cons:

Emotional toll of working with grieving families.
Need to be available outside of typical business hours.
Managing a business in a sensitive and highly regulated industry.

How to become a Funeral Home Manager

Typical education

Typically, a bachelor's degree in mortuary science is required, along with licensure which varies by state. Additional training in business management is also beneficial.

High school preparation

Courses:

Psychology to understand grief and bereavement.
Business Studies for basic management skills.
Biology to understand some aspects of mortuary science.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering, particularly in roles providing support or comfort to others.
Leadership roles in clubs or teams.
Part-time work or internships in event planning or customer service.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science.
Gain experience in a funeral home setting.
Pursue a state license in funeral home management.
Consider additional training or certification in grief counseling or business management.

More resources

National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) - Offers resources and training for funeral service professionals.
American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) - Provides accreditation for mortuary science programs.
Funeral Service Foundation - Offers scholarships and professional development resources.
The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) - Provides educational resources and networking opportunities for funeral service professionals.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.