Funerary Resume Examples
Save time with our funerary resume examples and step-by-step resume writing guide. They can help you get a job as funeral director, embalmer or other professional in this exciting industry.
Our Recommended Example
Funeral Director
Popular Templates in the Funerary Space
Funeral Director Assistant
Embalmer
Funeral Attendant
Mortuary Affairs Specialist
Table of Contents
Funerary Resume Templates by Job Title
Funerary Cover Letter
Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Funerary Resume
Our funerary resume examples are designed to show you how to write a resume that will breathe life back into your job search. Our certified resume writers craft resumes designed to help you describe and highlight your skills and qualifications.
Use them as inspiration, or use our Resume Builder, which offers pre-written text suggestions as you write your resume. Here are some example text suggestions our builder might make for your funerary resume:
- Displayed the highest level of professionalism and sensitivity when dealing with grieving family members.
- Vast knowledge of product offerings to assist families in any income bracket plan a tribute.
- Knowledge of a number of faiths, rituals, care practices and traditions.
- First-rate obituary writing and family counseling abilities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
6 Dos and Don’ts for Writing a Funerary Resume
Do
- Do detail your event planning experience. A decedent’s family is often under stress and in need of guidance to plan a funeral and visitation. Your organizing of other ceremonies, parties or meetings demonstrates your ability to plan a meaningful event.
- Do list skills with audio-visual equipment. A modern trend in funerals is to record the event for friends and family who cannot attend. Many funerals also incorporate multimedia presentations, such as video and photo montages. Having knowledge of this technology might give you an advantage over competitors.
- Do emphasize your soft skills. Given the nature of the funeral industry, it comes as little surprise that soft skills are critical. Employers look for applicants who are able to care for others in emotional circumstances. Emphasizing empathy, communication and problem-solving are key.
Don’t
- Don’t forget enthusiasm for the role. Write a professional summary that conveys your enthusiasm for what you do. Expressing enthusiasm, even for a role that is often performed under emotional circumstances, is critical to landing the job.
- Don’t mention unusual motives. People are sometimes drawn to this industry for intensely personal or philosophical reasons, but it is best to focus on a desire to perform a public service for families in need. Other motivations could feel off putting to employers.
- Don’t forget that most funerary jobs require you to be on call. If you appear too eager to work a 9-to-5 schedule, an employer may not consider you. Death happens at all hours and, as a result, so does funerary work. Instead, try to include work experiences where you put service before self-interest or focus on roles where you worked unusual hours.
Beat the ATS with These Funerary Resume Skills
The funerary profession has changed over time, and so has the employee application process. Gone are the days of a hiring manager sifting through a stack of paper resumes; today, the first steps in hiring are often accomplished not by a person, but by a computer equipped with applicant tracking systems (ATS). This software uses an algorithm to search for specific keywords and phrases unique to funerary jobs and weeds out resumes that don’t include them.
LiveCareer’s certified resume writers can help you describe your skills by suggesting appropriate, ATS-friendly terminology like the following:
- Licensed embalmer in Illinois
- Obituary writing experience
- Monument and marker knowledge
- Grief counseling
- Mortuary operations
- Embalming techniques
- Life insurance knowledge
Funerary Resumes for Every Professional Level
Entry-Level Funerary Resume Example: Funeral Assistant
For entry-level job seekers, a combination resume format is a good way to emphasize a burgeoning skill set while putting less of a spotlight on a relatively short job history. In this example, the candidate uses the professional summary to establish a commitment to coordinating services and assisting families. The skills section immediately below that illustrates abilities behind the scenes at a funeral home, while the job descriptions that follow are brief but filled with concrete details, such as experience with cremation processing and the transfer of remains.
Build My ResumeMid-Career Funerary Resume Example: Mortician
The combination resume format used here does a good job showcasing the multiple aspects of the applicant’s eight years of experience and diverse skill set. This format is perfect for mid-career professionals who want to give equal space to their professional experience and their critical skills. The work history section shows a clear, upward trajectory of job titles from office administrator to apprentice embalmer to mortician, while the use of both a summary of qualifications and a skills section clearly outlines what she’ll bring to the table if hired.
Build My ResumeExecutive-Level Funerary Resume Example: Funeral Home Managing Owner
The extensive work history of this funeral home managing owner speaks for itself. Notice how the applicant employs metrics, such as mentioning the specific number of employees managed, and describes past job duties using action verbs. In the skills section, this job seeker lists a number of in-demand hard skills such as cremations and remains preparation, as well as the soft skill of being customer-oriented. The document’s design is uncluttered and professional, with easy-to-read section headings in the margin.
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Statistics and Facts About Funerary Jobs
Median Pay, 2019
Funeral Service Managers | $76350 |
---|---|
Funeral Service Workers | $58310 |
Morticians, Undertakers and Funeral Directors | $54150 |
Embalmers | $47760 |
Funeral Attendants | $27930 | 050K100K |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*Net
Job Outlook, 2018–2028
Overall | increase, with 2,000 jobs added to the existing 53,000 |
---|---|
Funeral Service Managers | 5% increase |
Morticians, Undertakers and Funeral Directors | 3% increase |
Embalmers | 2% decrease |
Funeral Attendants | 2-3% increase | 0510 |
Sources: BLS, O*Net
Popular Job Titles
- Funeral service manager
- Mortician
- Undertaker
- Funeral director
- Embalmer
- Funeral attendant
Source: O*NET
Education Requirements
Embalmers
Associate Degree | 52% |
---|---|
Bachelor’s Degree | 35% |
Postsecondary Certificate | 13% | 050100 |
Morticians, Undertakers and Funeral Directors
Associate Degree | 73% |
---|---|
Bachelor’s Degree | 13% |
Some College | 6% | 050100 |
Funeral Service Managers
Associate Degree | 57% |
---|---|
Professional Degree | 13% |
Bachelor’s Degree | 12% | 050100 |
Funeral Attendants
High School Diploma or Equivalent | 55% |
---|---|
Associate Degree | 27% |
Less than High School Diploma | 10% | 050100 |
Source: O*Net
Gender Composition
Morticians, Undertakers and Funeral Directors
Male | 70.6% |
---|---|
Female | 29.4% | 050100 |
Embalmers and Funeral Attendants
Male | 71.8% |
---|---|
Female | 28.2% | 050100 |
Source: Data USA
Racial Diversity
Morticians, Undertakers and Funeral Directors
White (including Hispanic) | 88.5% |
---|---|
Black | 11.5% | 050100 |
Embalmers and Funeral Attendants
White (including Hispanic) | 89% |
---|---|
Black | 11% | 050100 |