Funeral Arranger

Your Fit

Income

$62K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

3.7%

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

What is a Funeral Arranger?

A Funeral Arranger, also known as a Funeral Director or Mortician, is responsible for coordinating and conducting the activities involved in funeral services. They provide support to grieving families, manage funeral logistics, and ensure that the services are conducted respectfully and seamlessly.

Sample job titles:

Funeral Arranger, Funeral Counselor, Funeral Director, Mortician

Your test results

Why this fit score?

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

Fit report

Test scores

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

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How much does a Funeral Arranger earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Funeral Arranger.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$35K per year	$47K per year	$62K per year	$81K per year	$104K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $2.79K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Funeral Arranger do?

Work environment

Funeral Arrangers work primarily in funeral homes, but their duties often extend to churches, cemeteries, and crematoriums. The role requires interacting with grieving families, handling administrative tasks, and coordinating various aspects of funeral services. It often involves working irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate funeral schedules.

Quick task list

Consults with families to arrange funeral details and provide emotional support.
Prepares and fills necessary legal documents and permits.
Coordinates transportation of the deceased and arranges funeral logistics.
Oversees the preparation and presentation of the deceased.
Manages funeral service details, including venue, flowers, and obituaries.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pre-need Funeral Planning: Assisting individuals in planning their own funerals in advance.
Aftercare Services: Providing support and resources to families following the funeral service.
Cultural and Religious Funeral Practices: Specializing in funeral customs specific to various cultures and religions.
Green Funerals: Focusing on eco-friendly funeral options and natural burials.
Grief Counseling: Offering or coordinating counseling services for bereaved families.

Description

Funeral Arrangers play a critical role in helping families navigate one of their most challenging times. They must possess a unique blend of compassion, organizational skills, and attention to detail. Funeral Arrangers are tasked with understanding and respecting the wishes of the family and the deceased, ensuring that the funeral service honors their memory appropriately. This role involves coordinating with various parties, including cemeteries, crematoriums, florists, and clergy, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills.

The job requires a comprehensive understanding of the legal and logistical aspects of funeral services, including knowledge of state and federal laws regarding funerals, burials, and cremations. Funeral Arrangers must also be adept at managing administrative tasks, such as record-keeping and financial transactions.

Despite the challenges, being a Funeral Arranger can be incredibly rewarding. It offers the opportunity to provide comfort and assistance to people during a difficult time. The role demands a high level of empathy, professionalism, and the ability to provide guidance and support to grieving families. The satisfaction of helping families honor their loved ones and navigate the funeral process is a significant aspect of the job.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Providing comfort and support to grieving families during a difficult time.
The fulfillment of organizing and delivering a respectful and meaningful funeral service.
Being a key part of helping families honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.

You might make a good Funeral Arranger if you are...

Compassionate and empathetic, with the ability to support and comfort others in times of grief.
Organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple aspects of funeral planning.
A strong communicator, both in listening and providing clear information.
Respectful of various cultural and religious practices related to funeral services.
Able to handle emotionally challenging situations with professionalism and grace.

Pros:

The opportunity to provide significant support and comfort to people in need.
A fulfilling role that has a meaningful impact on individuals and communities.
Diverse duties that combine interpersonal skills with event planning.

Cons:

Emotional challenges of working with grief and loss regularly.
Irregular hours, including weekends and evenings, to accommodate funeral services.
Handling the administrative and legal aspects of the death process.

How to become a Funeral Arranger

Typical education

Typically, a Funeral Arranger requires an associate degree in mortuary science, which is about 2 years of post-secondary education. Licensing is also a requirement in most states, which includes passing a national or state examination.

High school preparation

Courses:

Psychology to understand grief and interpersonal dynamics.
Business Studies to gain insights into managing a funeral home.
Public Speaking to develop effective communication skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering for hospice or grief support organizations.
Participating in community service projects.
Engaging in activities that develop empathy and compassion.

Preparation after high school

Completing an associate degree in mortuary science from an accredited program.
Pursuing licensure, which typically involves passing an exam and completing an apprenticeship or internship.
Gaining experience in a funeral home setting, either through employment or extended internships.

More resources

National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) - Provides industry insights, education, and resources for funeral directors.
American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) - The national academic accreditation agency for funeral service and mortuary science education.
Funeral Service Foundation - Offers resources, scholarships, and professional development opportunities for those in the funeral service profession.

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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.