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Social Services

Funeral Attendants

Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or lights around casket, directing or escorting mourners, closing casket, and issuing and storing funeral equipment.

Median salary (BLS)

$35,680

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$28k – $48k

Job outlook

+3% (about average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$200–$1,150

Time to qualify

1.5 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    High school diploma or GED

    Course

    Expected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.

    $0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    On-the-job training

    Experience

    Employer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.

    Cost varies · 3 months source

  3. 3

    State license — supervised hours + exam

    License

    Most counseling and social-work roles (LCSW/LPC pattern) require supervised experience hours and a state exam.

    $200–$1,000 · 12 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Funeral Attendants" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Funeral Attendants

    Entry / Junior

    $28,070

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Funeral Attendants

    Established

    $35,680

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Funeral Attendants

    Senior

    $42,070

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Greet people at the funeral home.
  • •Perform a variety of tasks during funerals to assist funeral directors and to ensure that services run smoothly and as planned.
  • •Close caskets at appropriate point in services.
  • •Direct or escort mourners to parlors or chapels in which wakes or funerals are being held.
  • •Place caskets in parlors or chapels prior to wakes or funerals.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.