Overview
Funeral directors coordinate and arrange all aspects of funeral services. Embalmers prepare the remains of deceased persons for public visitation and burial. Funeral directors and embalmers are employed by funeral homes.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Funeral directors
Consult with the family of the deceased regarding the nature of the funeral service, the disposition of the remains and funeral costs
Transfer, or arrange for the transfer of, the remains from the place of death to the funeral home
Inform survivors of benefits for which they may be eligible
Issue death notices to newspapers
Oversee the preparation of the remains, plan and schedule funeral services, coordinate burials and cremations and complete legal documents
Discuss and negotiate prearranged funerals with clients
Manage funeral home operations including hiring and directing staff, maintaining financial records, preparing accounts and ordering merchandise
Supervise embalmers, funeral home attendants and other funeral home staff
May perform same duties as embalmers.
Embalmers
Preserve, sanitize and prepare human remains for funeral services
Perform cosmetic and restorative work on human remains
Supervise funeral home attendants and other funeral home staff.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$44,298
$64,007
$94,624
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
77expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of a one- to two-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program is usually required for funeral directors.
Completion of a two- to three-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program or completion of a three-year college program is required for embalmers.
Funeral directors require licensure in most provinces and territories.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Funeral directors and embalmers in B.C.
- Licensing through Consumer Protection BC - Funeral Directors and Embalmers
Licensing through Consumer Protection BC - Funeral Directors and Embalmers
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a funeral director or embalmer in B.C., you must be licensed by Consumer Protection BC. Eligibility is achieved by meeting education and licensing requirements.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No programs available in B.C.
There are currently no programs offered at public post-secondary institutions in BC that will qualify you for this career. Please see the Consumer Protection BC website for other options.