Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$38,500
National baseline
Target bonus
$3,000
7.3% of base
Total target cash
$41,500
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$2,00050th$3,00075th$5,000
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Funeral Attendant is a professional role within the function in the Personal Care and Service job family.
Typical entry preparation: High School Diploma and up to 1 year of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
Perform a variety of tasks during funerals to assist funeral directors and to ensure that services run smoothly and as planned.
Close caskets at appropriate point in services.
Direct or escort mourners to parlors or chapels in which wakes or funerals are being held.
Place caskets in parlors or chapels prior to wakes or funerals.
Top skills:Social PerceptivenessService OrientationActive ListeningSpeakingMonitoringCoordination
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Funeral Attendant pay by experience level
Entry level$29,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$31,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$37,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$44,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$50,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
5,700
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Funeral Attendant salary by industry
Personal and Laundry Services
30,920 workers
$38,500
Death Care Services
30,920 workers
$38,500
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
30 workers
$46,000
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
30 workers
$45,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Greet people at the funeral home.
Perform a variety of tasks during funerals to assist funeral directors and to ensure that services run smoothly and as planned.
Close caskets at appropriate point in services.
Direct or escort mourners to parlors or chapels in which wakes or funerals are being held.
Place caskets in parlors or chapels prior to wakes or funerals.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Non-exempt · Service, trades, or production work
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay under FLSA rules. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Funeral Attendant pays 19% below the average across 33 roles in the Personal Care and Service job family (family average $47,500).
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