by our College Data Analytics TeamExperiencing the death of a family member or loved one is difficult and emotional for most people. Families and friends rely on funeral directors to arrange services and handle the logistics of the funeral. If you are a compassionate person who would like to provide this personal service, consider majoring in Funeral and Mortuary Science.
In this major, you will take classes in embalming, funeral service management, biology, chemistry, and psychology to learn everything from handling the funeral to preparing legal documents to consulting with the family. It is just as important to understand how to prepare the deceased and run a funeral home and it is to speak with families with tact and understanding. Those involved in the funeral services industry are providing a personal service to the community and must learn how to deal with this delicate matter.
Along with the option to major in general Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, students have the option to specialize in areas such as Funeral Service or Mortuary Science and Embalming.
A major in Funeral & Mortuary Science involves the study of Funeral Service And Mortuary Science. Read on to learn the essential details every funeral & mortuary science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering funeral & mortuary science programs.
In the U.S., funeral & mortuary science is a popular field of study, with 2,676 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Funeral & Mortuary Science Schools ranking analyzes these 69 schools to determine the best overall colleges for funeral & mortuary science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of funeral & mortuary science programs later in this article.
Studies in Funeral & Mortuary Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations funeral & mortuary science graduates commonly enter.
Since most Funeral and Mortuary Science professional work with grieving family members, strong interpersonal skills are a must. Death can be very emotional, making compassion a top priority for those pursuing a career in this professional. Time management and organization are other required skills since professionals are often working with multiple families at once.
A career within Funeral and Mortuary Science is a full time job. Funeral directors often work long hours, nights, and on weekends to ensure arrangements are properly made and all details are complete. This career is often stressful as funerals are often arranged within a few days after death.
The requirements to become licensed as a funeral director vary from state to state, so it is best to contact the licensing board of the state you intend to practice in when choosing between programs to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements. Typically, students must have at least 2 years in an American Board of Funeral Service Education certified program and complete a 1-3 year internship after graduation before taking a licensing exam. The licensing exam may be state administered or be a national board exam. Although the length of the internship and type of exam vary, both aspects are required.
The skill set emphasized by a funeral & mortuary science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a funeral & mortuary science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several funeral & mortuary science degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 466 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,760 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 214 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 236 |
People currently working in careers related to funeral & mortuary science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 72.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.3% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in funeral & mortuary science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Almost all graduates with a degree in Funeral and Mortuary Science go into the funeral services industry. Graduates often pursue a career as a funeral director or embalmer. The economy does not play a large role in the need for funeral services, so jobs in this field grow at a steady pace. Graduates who are willing to relocate or have the skills to embalm should find jobs quickly.
A degree in funeral & mortuary science prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to funeral & mortuary science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to funeral & mortuary science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Embalmers | 481,073 | -3.2% |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | 369,233 | -0.1% |
| Crematory Operators | 261,399 | 7.8% |
| Funeral Home Managers | 213,374 | -0.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of funeral & mortuary science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,303 |
| 4 years | $46,034 |
| 5 years | $51,822 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for funeral & mortuary science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers funeral & mortuary science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Funeral Home Managers | $179,553 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $58,312 |
| Crematory Operators | $48,579 |
| Embalmers | $35,965 |
With 69 different funeral & mortuary science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased funeral & mortuary science school rankings to help you.
Those considering funeral & mortuary science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General | 2,332 |
| Funeral Direction/Service | 252 |
| Mortuary Science and Embalming/Embalmer | 64 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, Other | 28 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | 136,936 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 24,487 |
| Casino Operations and Services | 564 |
| Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services, Other | 101 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
