How to become a funeral director or embalmer
Official title: Funeral directors and embalmers
Also called: Embalmer, Funeral director, Apprentice embalmer, Embalmer apprentice, Funeral home director, Funeral services director, Assistant funeral director, Mortician, Undertaker, Undertaker assistant
Funeral directors coordinate and arrange all aspects of funeral services. Embalmers prepare the remains of deceased persons for public visitation and burial. Funeral directors and embalmers are employed by funeral homes.
Main tasks
- Funeral directors
- Consult with the family of the deceased regarding the nature of the funeral service, the disposition of the remains and funeral costs
- Transfer, or arrange for the transfer of, the remains from the place of death to the funeral home
- Inform survivors of benefits for which they may be eligible
- Issue death notices to newspapers
- Oversee the preparation of the remains, plan and schedule funeral services, coordinate burials and cremations and complete legal documents
- Discuss and negotiate prearranged funerals with clients
- Manage funeral home operations including hiring and directing staff, maintaining financial records, preparing accounts and ordering merchandise
How to become one
Completion of a one- to two-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program is usually required for funeral directors. Completion of a two- to three-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program or completion of a three-year college program is required for embalmers. Funeral directors require licensure in most provinces and territories. Funeral directors may be required to be licensed embalmers depending on provincial requirements. Embalmers require licensure in all provinces.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship. Completion of a one- to two-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program is usually required for funeral directors. Completion of a two- to three-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program or completion of a three-year college program is required for embalmers. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
- Licence or registration: Funeral directors require licensure in most provinces and territories. Funeral directors may be required to be licensed embalmers depending on provincial requirements. Embalmers require licensure in all provinces.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $60,938 a year The middle half earn $44,850 to $78,000.
- About 8,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 10,100 are projected by 2033. (+13.5%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a funeral director or embalmer?
Completion of a one- to two-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program is usually required for funeral directors. Completion of a two- to three-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program or completion of a three-year college program is required for embalmers. Funeral directors require licensure in most provinces and territories. Funeral directors may be required to be licensed embalmers depending on provincial requirements. Embalmers require licensure in all provinces.
How much does a funeral director or embalmer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $60,938 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $44,850 to $78,000.
Is a funeral director or embalmer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 14% by 2033, from about 8,900 to about 10,100 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a funeral director or embalmer?
Usually not. Only 14% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Apprenticeship.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03