Undertaker job description.
An Undertaker (funeral director) arranges and oversees funeral services, coordinating with grieving families to plan burials, cremations, and memorial services. They handle body preparation logistics, manage documentation and permits, and ensure services are conducted with professionalism and respect for family wishes.
The Undertaker job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Undertaker Reports to: Funeral Home Director or Owner
An Undertaker (funeral director) arranges and oversees funeral services, coordinating with grieving families to plan burials, cremations, and memorial services. They handle body preparation logistics, manage documentation and permits, and ensure services are conducted with professionalism and respect for family wishes.
- Meet with families to plan funeral, burial, or cremation arrangements
- Coordinate transportation and preparation of the deceased
- Arrange venues, officiants, and logistics for services
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
2 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Funeral Home Director or Owner
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Meet with families to plan funeral, burial, or cremation arrangements
- Coordinate transportation and preparation of the deceased
- Arrange venues, officiants, and logistics for services
- Complete and file required legal documents and permits
- Liaise with cemeteries, crematoriums, and religious officials
- Advise families on service options, caskets, and costs
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and licensing regulations
- Maintain dignified, professional facilities and vehicles
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Current licensure/board certification as required by state and employer
- Formal training or apprenticeship in funeral service
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with grieving families
- Attention to detail for legal and administrative documentation
- Valid driver's licence
- Degree or diploma in mortuary science or funeral service
- Experience in embalming or funeral home operations
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Undertaker job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Undertaker job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Funeral Home Director or Owner) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Is an Undertaker the same as a Funeral Director?
- Yes, the terms are generally used interchangeably; 'funeral director' is the more common modern professional title.
- What licensing does this role require?
- Current licensure/board certification as required by state and employer applies, and most regions require completion of accredited funeral service training or an apprenticeship.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Funeral Director
A funeral director coordinates funeral services, working with grieving families to plan ceremonies, arrange logistics, and ensure all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
Mortician
A mortician prepares deceased individuals for burial or cremation and coordinates funeral services with grieving families.
This Undertaker job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.