Funeral Service & Mortuary Science
What Funeral Service & Mortuary Science Graduates Do
Your career often begins with an apprenticeship, where you learn the funeral service business from the ground up. You’ll assist with everything from setting up for services to the technical, hands-on work of embalming, using specialized tools and chemicals for preservation and restorative art. Once licensed, you’ll work as a Funeral Director or Mortician, guiding families through difficult decisions, coordinating services with cemeteries and clergy, and managing all the necessary legal paperwork. This deeply personal work of caring for the deceased and their families is a craft that cannot be automated or done from a distance.
As you gain experience, your career can progress into management. A Funeral Home Manager oversees all business operations, from staff and budgets to community outreach, leading to higher earning potential. The field has steady demand and thousands of openings annually, especially for directors and managers. This provides a structured path from an entry-level role, with a modest starting salary, to a licensed director and, eventually, a community business leader earning a significant income.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship occupation related to Funeral Service & Mortuary Science. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Embalmer (Per Ser)
RAPIDS 665 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $46K – $56,280 – $65K | 1.3% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Best Schools for Funeral Service & Mortuary Science
Top 20 of 28 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.
| # | School | Score | EarningsEarn | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC |
69 67–70 |
$51,522/yr | 195.1x |
| 2 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA |
65 63–65 |
$49,355/yr | 101.0x |
| 3 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL |
64 63–65 |
$48,929/yr | 90.2x |
| 4 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC |
64 60–64 |
$44,521/yr | 105.8x |
| 5 | Arapahoe Community College Littleton, CO |
60 59–60 |
$50,953/yr | 47.8x |
| 6 | Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ |
59 58–60 |
$39,549/yr | 82.9x |
| 7 | Brightpoint Community College Chester, VA |
58 56–59 |
$49,205/yr | 55.2x |
| 8 | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL |
57 56–57 |
$49,566/yr | 44.8x |
| 9 | Nassau Community College Garden City, NY |
57 51–58 |
$44,695/yr | 57.3x |
| 10 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA |
55 49–55 |
$39,431/yr | 56.8x |
| 11 | Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc Pittsburgh, PA |
52 50–53 |
$50,340/yr | — |
| 12 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SC |
52 47–53 |
$35,693/yr | 53.0x |
| 13 | Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service Houston, TX |
51 51–52 |
$47,424/yr | 30.0x |
| 14 | Vincennes University Vincennes, IN |
51 50–51 |
$44,581/yr | 31.4x |
| 15 | Northampton County Area Community College Bethlehem, PA |
50 50–50 |
$39,949/yr | 36.6x |
| 16 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN |
49 49–49 |
$37,506/yr | 37.2x |
| 17 | FINE Mortuary College Norwood, MA |
48 46–49 |
$52,580/yr | 15.4x |
| 18 | John A Gupton College Nashville, TN |
48 46–48 |
$46,141/yr | 19.2x |
| 19 | Worsham College of Mortuary Science Wheeling, IL |
48 45–49 |
$44,194/yr | 22.9x |
| 20 | Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton, MO |
48 48–48 |
$32,964/yr | 44.0x |
Highest Earning Funeral Service & Mortuary Science Programs
Schools where Funeral Service & Mortuary Science graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| FINE Mortuary College | $52,580/yr | 48 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | $51,522/yr | 69 |
| Arapahoe Community College | $50,953/yr | 60 |
| Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc | $50,340/yr | 52 |
| Worsham College of Mortuary Science | $50,043/yr | 46 |
| Jefferson State Community College | $49,566/yr | 57 |
| Des Moines Area Community College | $49,355/yr | 65 |
| Brightpoint Community College | $49,205/yr | 58 |
| St Petersburg College | $48,929/yr | 64 |
| American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service | $47,982/yr | 47 |
Best ROI for Funeral Service & Mortuary Science
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Funeral Service & Mortuary Science.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | 195.1x | $51,522/yr | 69 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | 105.8x | $44,521/yr | 64 |
| Des Moines Area Community College | 101.0x | $49,355/yr | 65 |
| St Petersburg College | 90.2x | $48,929/yr | 64 |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College | 82.9x | $39,549/yr | 59 |
| Nassau Community College | 57.3x | $44,695/yr | 57 |
| Tidewater Community College | 56.8x | $39,431/yr | 55 |
| Brightpoint Community College | 55.2x | $49,205/yr | 58 |
| Piedmont Technical College | 53.0x | $35,693/yr | 52 |
| Arapahoe Community College | 47.8x | $50,953/yr | 60 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Funeral Service & Mortuary Science degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.