Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or lights around casket, directing or escorting mourners, closing casket, and issuing and storing funeral equipment.
Funeral Attendants
SOC: 39-4021 O*NET: 39-4021.00
Median Salary
$34,610
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or lights around casket, directing or escorting mourners, closing casket, and issuing and storing funeral equipment.
What does a Funeral Attendants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$26,820
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,420
25th percentile
Median
$34,610
50th percentile
Experienced
$39,230
75th percentile
Top Earners
$46,690
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$26,820
25th
$29,420
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$34,610
Mean: $35,900
75th
$39,230
90th
$46,690
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $19,870 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $29,420 and $39,230
- •Salary spread is 28.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 30,560 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:32,500
Top Industries
Other Services (except Public Administration)99.1%
Personal and Laundry Services99.1%
Death Care Services99.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.1%
Annual Openings:5,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)32,500
Current
2034 (Projected)33,500
+3.1%
+1,000
Employment Change
+3.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Funeral Attendants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
Texas
1,980 jobs$29,6200.72x
Ohio
1,630 jobs$31,4301.49x
Pennsylvania
1,610 jobs$34,3701.35x
North Carolina
1,580 jobs$33,6501.63x
California
1,550 jobs$38,9600.43x
New York
1,520 jobs$37,9000.80x
Michigan
1,520 jobs$29,9401.75x
Florida
1,470 jobs$33,5200.75x
Virginia
1,410 jobs$34,4001.74x
Georgia
1,270 jobs$30,7701.32x
Tennessee
1,240 jobs$28,8401.92x
Illinois
1,150 jobs$32,8800.96x
Indiana
1,130 jobs$34,3301.79x
South Carolina
780 jobs$30,6501.73x
Missouri
730 jobs$37,4101.26x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Service Orientation
88%
#3
Active Listening
76%
#4
Monitoring
64%
#5
Coordination
52%
#6
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.4
88%
Active Listening
intermediate3.8
76%
Monitoring
intermediate3.2
64%
Coordination
basic2.6
52%
Speaking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance52%
skills
2.6/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Waiters and Waitresses100%
5 shared skills
Costume Attendants83%
5 shared skills
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers83%
5 shared skills
Nursing Assistants75%
5 shared skills
Passenger Attendants75%
5 shared skills
Tour Guides and Escorts75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Funeral Attendants
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (1)General Responsibilities (16)Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Perform a variety of tasks during funerals to assist funeral directors and to ensure that services run smoothly and as planned.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Greet people at the funeral home.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Offer assistance to mourners as they enter or exit limousines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Close caskets at appropriate point in services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Obtain burial permits and register deaths.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Direct or escort mourners to parlors or chapels in which wakes or funerals are being held.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Place caskets in parlors or chapels prior to wakes or funerals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Clean and drive funeral vehicles, such as cars or hearses, in funeral processions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Carry flowers to hearses or limousines for transportation to places of interment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Clean funeral parlors or chapels.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Funeral Attendants
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Funeral Attendants professionals typically have a RSC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
SSocial
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Funeral Attendants
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.65
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.59
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.44
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.30
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.25
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.13
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Concern for Others
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Cooperation
4.1
Social Orientation
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Initiative
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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