O*NET-SOC 39-4031.00

Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers

Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 3 – Medium preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresPrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.1208/2024
Social Perceptiveness2.B.1.a4.1208/2024
Service Orientation2.B.1.f3.8808/2024
Coordination2.B.1.b3.7508/2024
Speaking2.A.1.d3.7508/2024
Time Management2.B.5.a3.3808/2024

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2024
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.13.7508/2024
Speech Clarity1.A.4.b.53.7508/2024
Speech Recognition1.A.4.b.43.7508/2024
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.33.6208/2024
Information Ordering1.A.1.b.63.2508/2024

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.Core6808/2024
Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.Core6908/2024
Perform embalming duties, as necessary.Core6708/2024
Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.Core6808/2024
Remove deceased remains from place of death.Core6808/2024

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Conventional4.9111/2023
Enterprising4.5911/2023
Social4.311/2023
Realistic3.7411/2023
Artistic1.5811/2023
Investigative1.3911/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 3

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.