Sadly, all lives must come to an end. Therefore, people like funeral directors are always going to have a job to complete. Such a profession oversees the running of a funeral home to help families mourn and celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have passed. However, funeral directors make different salaries in different countries. In the United States, most funeral directors make about $53,390.00 on average, but they make less in Canada at about $45,000.00. A funeral director salary in the UK is around £25,000.00, and $50,876.00 on average in Australia. Funeral directors in Norway make NOK42,165.00 a year, and Switzerland pays the most to funeral directors at about CHF 65,780.00. There are several factors that go into determining these salaries, including work experience and job outlook. Such factors are more than worth considering.
Funeral Director Salary Influencers
Even though different job websites online note various salaries for funeral directors in multiple countries, there are a few factors that these salaries have in common. Things such as the job’s required training gained experience and defined job outlook is all worth considering. Each of these aspects will be expanded upon below.
1. Industry
Most funeral directors work in the private sector. They generally own their own businesses, or they work as a director in a larger funeral home. At the same time, this funeral home can be a small, locally-owned chain of homes. Therefore, each home is likely to have its own director.
The salary differences of funeral home directors vary a great deal. Being part of a rural community means there is less competition, but not as many people will seek the home’s services. Therefore, a funeral home director might make more in a larger city, where the funeral home sees a greater influx of people seeking out services for their deceased loved ones.
2. Geographical Area
| Funeral Director Salary | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| US | $26.07 | $53,390 |
| Canada | $21.97 | 45,000 |
| UK | £12.21 | £25,000 |
| Australia | $24.84 | $50,876 |
| Switzerland | CHF 32.12 | CHF 65,780 |
| Norway | NOK20.59 | NOK42,165 |
Funeral Director Salary in the United States
Most funeral directors in the United States make a decent living. The $53,390.00 annual salary is an average of entry-level and senior positions. An entry-level funeral director is likely to make less than this amount. Most of their benefits package will be included with their salary, though.
Funeral Director Salary in Canada
Due to the nature of Canada’s universal health care policy, Canadian funeral directors will not have to worry about paying a privatized insurance company. Therefore, premiums might be lower in comparison to those in the United States. On average, a Canadian funeral director can expect to earn $45,000.00 a year.
Funeral Director Salary in the United Kingdom
Most funeral directors in the United Kingdom make a bit less than they do in other countries. The local economy has a great deal to do with this factor. Even though they make less than other directors in other countries, they have just as much of a chance to expand and gain more with experience and training.
Funeral Director Salary in Australia
The average salary per hour for a funeral director in Australia is a little under $25.00. This salary is based on an average for funeral directors in entry-level positions. A senior in the field is going to make more. The chance to make more arises when more training and experience are gained. Healthcare benefits are also not included as part of the position’s salary.
Funeral Director Salary in Norway
Norwegian funeral directors make on average a comparable salary to those in the same position in other countries. Again, healthcare costs are not configured as part of the salary. Most funeral directors can make more based on the years of experience they gain and whether or not they work for the private or public sector.
Funeral Director Salary in Switzerland
It comes as no surprise that funeral directors in Switzerland make the most money annually at CHF 65,780.00 on average. There is a higher correlation between the amount of money a director makes and their performance levels.
3. Experience
Experience plays a large role in the salary that a funeral director can make. Like with other professions, the more experience a funeral director gains, the more opportunities they will have to increase their salary. It takes about five to ten years for people to be considered a pro in this field. Senior funeral directors are likely to make more, and they are also likely to offer training to someone at an entry-level position.
Working Hours
Most funeral directors do not work a 9:00 am to 5:00 pm shift. The same can be said about keeping work days only Monday through Friday. These directors need to keep their services available to families in a way that meets other people’s schedules. In most cases, especially in the United States, funerals happen toward the weekend to accommodate the travel required by family and friends of the deceased. At the same time, funeral directors need to be available promptly to answer phone calls from people seeking quotes for their loved one’s funeral.
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
Unfortunately, the bonuses and benefits packages that can be offered to a funeral director are limited mostly for one reason. Some of these directors run their funeral parlor independent of another business franchise. Therefore, they can create their bonuses and benefits as they see fit. Those persons who work in countries where universal healthcare is available also do not have to worry about paying into the higher premiums of privatized insurance. Funeral directors in the United States have an option of going with a private insurance plan or depending on the size of their company, might be able to initiate a company group plan to partake in with their employees.
Job Outlook
Funeral directors need to be available to perform services based on a family’s needs for their loved one’s passing. Most families see a funeral as the last chance to say goodbye, so there needs to be plenty of options in place for families to pick one funeral home over another. Therefore, funeral directors might have to fight with local competition to make sure they can provide services to as many families as possible to remain in business. However, job outlook is positive. In the US, level of employment is expected to grow by 5% in the coming years.
Conclusion
Funeral directors are not likely to fall out of business anytime soon. Their services are needed by different families on a daily basis. Their job outlook is secure, and as long as they gain experience and more training, they are likely to see higher salaries throughout their lifetimes.
Leave a Reply