How to become a Funeral Director

Also called: Mortician, Undertaker

Plans and coordinates arrangements for funerals according to the wishes of the deceased or their relatives.

Main tasks

• Consults with family or friends of the deceased to determine their wishes for the funeral
• Provides guidance and support in making funeral arrangements
• Coordinates with relevant parties, such as cemeteries, crematoriums and clergy, to arrange burial or cremation
• Schedules funeral services and speakers
• Arranges for the purchase of caskets, urns and other funeral merchandise
• Organises transportation of the deceased's body to the funeral location
• Oversees the setup and decoration of the funeral venue
• Provides support and comfort to grieving family members and friends
• May prepare the deceased for viewing or burial

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Funeral Services (SIF40113); Certificate IV in Embalming (SIF40213); Certificate III in Cemetery and Crematorium Operations (SIF30113); Certificate III in Funeral Operations (SIF30313); Certificate II in Funeral Operations (SIF20113)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 5,100 people work in this job group now, and about 5,600 are projected by 2035. (+10.1%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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• Civil Celebrant
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Questions people ask

How do I become a Funeral Director?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Funeral Services; Certificate IV in Embalming.

Is a Funeral Director a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 5,100 to about 5,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Funeral Director?

Usually not. Only 14% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Funeral Services; Certificate IV in Embalming.

Will AI change the work of a Funeral Director?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04