Mortician vs Funeral Director: Salary, Role & Career Differences

“Mortician” and “funeral director” are often used interchangeably — and in many workplaces, one person does both jobs. But when it comes to salary and career trajectory, the distinction matters: funeral home managers earn a median of $76,830 vs $49,800 for morticians — a 54% difference.

This guide breaks down what each role actually involves, how the pay compares, and which path makes more sense depending on your goals.

The Short Answer

What Each Role Actually Does

Mortician (SOC 39-4031)

The mortician’s core work is the technical preparation of remains:

• Embalming and preservation
• Restorative art (reconstructing appearance after trauma or illness)
• Cosmetology and dressing
• Coordinating with crematoriums
• Completing death certificates and legal paperwork
• Transporting remains

In smaller funeral homes, morticians also handle family arrangements and service coordination. In larger operations, these roles are more separated.

Funeral Director / Funeral Home Manager (SOC 11-9061)

The funeral director role is broader, with more emphasis on family service and business operations:

• Meeting with families to plan services
• Explaining options and pricing (FTC Funeral Rule compliance)
• Coordinating with clergy, cemeteries, florists, and obituary services
• Managing staff and scheduling
• Overseeing finances and vendor relationships
• Marketing and community relations
• Compliance with state and federal regulations

In practice, most funeral directors are also licensed morticians — they do both the preparation work and the family-facing coordination.

Salary Comparison: Full Data

BLS Data (2024)

The gap is significant at every percentile. Even the P25 for funeral home managers ($54,210) is higher than the median for morticians ($49,800).

Why the gap exists

Funeral home managers carry more responsibility: they run a business, manage staff, handle compliance, and are accountable for revenue. The pay premium reflects that scope, not just seniority.

The Titles Are Confusing — Here’s Why

The BLS tracks these as two separate occupations, but the industry uses the terms inconsistently:

• Many states issue a single “funeral director” license that covers both preparation and arrangement work
• Job postings often use “funeral director” to mean someone who does everything
• “Mortician” is sometimes used specifically for embalmers, sometimes as a synonym for funeral director
• “Undertaker” is an older term, largely synonymous with mortician

For salary research purposes: When you see Indeed’s $66,159 average for “Funeral Director,” it likely includes some people who are actually managers — which is why it’s higher than the BLS mortician median of $49,800.

Career Path: From Mortician to Manager

Most funeral home managers started as morticians. The typical progression:

Licensed Mortician (0–5 years)
    ↓
Senior Mortician / Lead Funeral Director (5–10 years)
    ↓
Funeral Home Manager (10+ years, or earlier with business skills)
    ↓
Funeral Home Owner (optional, requires capital)

What accelerates the transition:

• Taking on family arrangement responsibilities early
• Developing business management skills (accounting, HR, marketing)
• Working in a larger operation where management roles exist
• Pursuing additional education in business administration

Which Path Is Right for You?

Choose the mortician/preparation track if:

• You’re drawn to the technical craft of embalming and restorative art
• You prefer working independently rather than managing people
• You want a clear, defined role without business responsibility
• You’re comfortable with the physical demands of preparation work

Choose the management/director track if:

• You’re motivated by the 54% salary premium
• You’re comfortable with family-facing communication under emotional pressure
• You want to eventually own a funeral home
• You have or want to develop business management skills

The reality for most people:

In smaller funeral homes (which make up the majority of the industry), you’ll do both. The distinction matters most in larger corporate-owned operations (Service Corporation International, Dignity Memorial, etc.) where roles are more specialized.

Related Roles in Funeral Service

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a mortician the same as a funeral director?

Often in practice, yes — especially in small funeral homes where one person does everything. Technically, “mortician” emphasizes body preparation while “funeral director” emphasizes family service and coordination. The BLS tracks them under different SOC codes with different salary data.

Do funeral directors make more than morticians?

Yes, significantly. Funeral home managers (the BLS category closest to “funeral director”) earn a median of $76,830 vs $49,800 for morticians — a 54% difference. However, many people who call themselves “funeral directors” are doing mortician-level work and earning mortician-level pay.

Do you need a separate license to be a funeral director?

It depends on the state. Many states issue a single license covering both preparation and arrangement. Some states have separate licenses for “funeral director” and “embalmer.” Check your state’s funeral regulatory board for specifics.

Can a mortician become a funeral home manager?

Yes — this is the standard career progression. Most funeral home managers have 5–15 years of experience as morticians/funeral directors before moving into management.

Know the Salary Gap Before You Negotiate

The $27,030 gap between mortician and funeral home manager median pay is real — and negotiable at the margins. The Mortician Salary Toolkit has the state-level data and scripts to help you benchmark your current role and make the case for more.

One-time download, $24.99. See what’s included →

Data Sources

• BLS OEWS May 2024 — SOC 39-4031 (Morticians) and SOC 11-9061 (Funeral Home Managers)
• BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–2034

→ See also: Mortician Salary Guide | How to Become a Mortician | Funeral Home Manager Salary | How to Negotiate Your Mortician Salary