How much does a funeral home manager make?

A manager might sit with a grieving family to choose obituary wording and plan a service, then schedule a burial or cremation. They also guide staff, check required records and rules, and keep the funeral home running.

Did you know? A surprising fact: In 2025, more than half of U.S. funeral home managers were self-employed, rather than employees of a funeral business.

In the U.S., people usually qualify at 21 or older, earn an associate degree in funeral service or mortuary science, complete supervised training, and pass licensing exams. After years as a funeral director or mortician, they can become managers.

School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience

Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, pay can vary with experience, location, and whether someone is self-employed or works for an employer. State licensing and job responsibilities differ, and long or on-call hours may also affect what a manager earns.