Funeral Attendants: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Funeral Attendants fall under the Personal Care and Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Funeral Attendants earn a median salary of $35,680 per year, ranking in the top 96% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.6% job growth through 2035, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do funeral attendants earn?

The median annual wage for funeral attendants is $35,680. That puts funeral attendants at #793 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is funeral attendants a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for funeral attendants is +2.6%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 31K positions in 2024 to 32K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do funeral attendants do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working funeral attendants, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Close caskets at appropriate point in services.
2. 2.Carry flowers to hearses or limousines for transportation to places of interment.
3. 3.Greet people at the funeral home.
4. 4.Act as pallbearers.
5. 5.Provide advice to mourners on how to make charitable donations in honor of the deceased.
6. 6.Perform a variety of tasks during funerals to assist funeral directors and to ensure that services run smoothly and as planned.
7. 7.Offer assistance to mourners as they enter or exit limousines.
8. 8.Direct or escort mourners to parlors or chapels in which wakes or funerals are being held.

Top skills for funeral attendants

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become funeral attendant?

Many funeral attendants enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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Common questions parents ask about funeral attendants