December 25: Funeral Director
Funeral Director
In honour of ‘Grief Awareness Week’, this month we’re shining a light on the career of a Funeral Director. Often thought of as a grave career choice, it’s in fact a deeply meaningful and rewarding career path. Funeral Directors combine empathy and organisation to help people plan burials or cremations and support them through their final goodbyes to their loved ones.
Ready to dig deeper into this career?
Job Description
Salary (Avg.) £25,000
As a Funeral Director, you play a vital role in supporting people through one of the most difficult times in their lives. You’ll guide them through every stage of the funeral planning process, easing both the emotional and practical burden. Your responsibilities may include arranging floral tributes, coordinating transport, organising notices, and managing your team to ensure everything runs smoothly. You’ll also advise on types of memorials and headstones, help people understand funeral laws, and assist with essential paperwork.
With compassion and attention to detail, you’ll ensure every service is carried out with dignity and respect. This role doesn’t follow standard working hours – you’ll work shifts that may include evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, and you’ll be part of an on-call rota to support people whenever they need you.
Qualifications and Skills
To become a Funeral Director, you’ll typically need GCSEs (or equivalent), along with strong communication, organisational and leadership skills. Sensitivity is essential for this role, as you’ll be supporting people at one of the most emotional times in their lives.
Many people start their journey by taking an apprenticeship in funeral operations or services, which offers hands-on experience alongside recognised qualifications. Others begin in an entry-level role at a funeral home – such as a Funeral Service Operative or Assistant – and work their way up as they gain experience.
There are also specialist training courses available through the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD). These provide industry-recognised qualifications in areas such as funeral arranging, management, and mortuary care.
What you can be doing now
Lay to rest any doubts about your future as a Funeral Director by developing the right skills now. Organisation is key as you’ll be responsible for ensuring every detail of a funeral runs smoothly and respectfully. Practice staying organised with your schoolwork.
As James Murray, Funeral Director from Co-op says, “You do need a bit of life experience, so you understand how to read a situation and communicate sensitively.” It’s a good idea to get out into the world, for example, volunteering to support elderly people can help you build confidence and empathy.
You’ll also be leading teams and coordinating others, so teamwork and leadership skills are essential. Joining group activities or team sports is a great way to strengthen those abilities and prepare you for the role.
Make a lasting difference with a career that cares beyond the goodbye, by becoming a Funeral Director!