The job market for funeral directors in the United States

There are currently an estimated 28,700 funeral directors in the United States. The funeral director job market is expected to grow by 3.8% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are funeral directors?

CareerExplorer rates funeral directors with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 8,400 funeral directors. That number is based on 1,100 additional funeral directors, and the retirement of 7,300 existing funeral directors.

Are funeral directors in demand?

Funeral directing is one of the industries that will always thrive, simply because death is a natural part life. In addition, as baby boomers increasingly prearrange their end-of-life service to ensure that their final wishes are met, demand for funeral directors may grow. The individuals in this occupation are older, on average, than workers in most other careers. Therefore, almost eighty percent of openings in the field will result from the retirement of current directors. These workers will, for the most part, be vacating senior roles which they have occupied for extended periods. Consequently, the best job prospects will belong to experienced job seekers who are licensed as both a funeral director and an embalmer and for certified crematory operators. Willingness to relocate should further enhance candidates’ employability. Although opportunities for entry-level candidates are expected to be minimal, a small number of positions have typically been created by graduates who leave the field not long after gaining licensure as funeral directors. This trend is projected to continue. Senior-level funeral directors may advance to positions as managers of large funeral homes or they may join the management teams of consortiums which own multiple homes. Operating one’s own business in this field is particularly expensive; however, this is yet another option for career funeral directors.

What’s the supply of funeral directors?

The funeral director industry is concentrated in Texas, Florida, New York

Funeral Director job market by state