| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Perform a variety of tasks during funerals to assist funeral directors and to ensure that services run smoothly and as planned. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Greet people at the funeral home. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Direct or escort mourners to parlors or chapels in which wakes or funerals are being held. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Carry flowers to hearses or limousines for transportation to places of interment. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Arrange floral offerings or lights around caskets. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Place caskets in parlors or chapels prior to wakes or funerals. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Clean and drive funeral vehicles, such as cars or hearses, in funeral processions. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Clean funeral parlors or chapels. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Close caskets at appropriate point in services. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Deliver floral arrangements or other items to family members of the deceased. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Supervise funeral processions and assist with cemetery parking. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Offer assistance to mourners as they enter or exit limousines. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Act as pallbearers. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Issue and store funeral equipment. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Provide advice to mourners on how to make charitable donations in honor of the deceased. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Perform general maintenance tasks for funeral homes, such as maintaining equipment or caring for funeral grounds. |
Associate Degree Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less - All On One Page.
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Associate's Degree or less.
An associate's degree can open doors to skilled technical, healthcare, and business support roles without the time commitment of a four-year degree. For people who want a faster, more affordable path into a stable career. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs
What jobs can you get with an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 571 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Funeral Attendants.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Funeral Attendants" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Funeral Attendants
Description: Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or lights around casket, directing or escorting mourners, closing casket, and issuing and storing funeral equipment.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Funeral Attendants":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
42,300U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
43,700
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
1,400 (3.3%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
5,800
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Perform various administrative tasks, such as typing documents or answering telephone calls. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Transport the deceased to the funeral home. |
| Importance: 48 (%) | Description: Attend to the needs of the bereaved, such as by offering comfort, counseling, or after-care programs. |
| Importance: 44 (%) | Description: Assist with cremations and the processing and packaging of cremated remains. |
| Importance: 41 (%) | Description: Obtain doctors' signatures on death certificate and complete other paperwork, such as insurance claims forms. |
| Importance: 38 (%) | Description: Embalm, dress, cosmeticize, and casket the deceased. |
| Importance: 33 (%) | Description: Prepare obituaries for newspapers. |
| Importance: 31 (%) | Description: Obtain burial permits and register deaths. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance. | |
| Arrange items for use or display. | |
| Assign resources or facilities to patrons or employees. | |
| Assist patrons with entering or exiting vehicles or other forms of transportation. | |
| Clean facilities or work areas. | |
| Clean tools or equipment. | |
| Deliver items. | |
| Direct funeral or mortuary activities. | |
| Drive vehicles to transport patrons. | |
| Embalm corpses. | |
| Greet customers, patrons, or visitors. | |
| Handle caskets. | |
| Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency. | |
| Load items into ovens or furnaces. | |
| Load materials into equipment for processing. | |
| Maintain facilities. | |
| Perform administrative or clerical tasks. | |
| Prepare administrative documents. | |
| Provide counsel, comfort, or encouragement to individuals or families. | |
| Provide escort or transportation. | |
| Provide patrons with directions to locales or attractions. | |
| Transport biological or other medical materials. | |
| Write informational material. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Apply hygienic or cosmetic agents to skin or hair. |
| Activity: Arrange displays or decorations. |
| Activity: Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas. |
| Activity: Counsel others about personal matters. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Distribute materials, supplies, or resources. |
| Activity: Embalm corpses. |
| Activity: Escort others. |
| Activity: Identify business or organizational opportunities. |
| Activity: Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing. |
| Activity: Maintain facilities or equipment. |
| Activity: Move materials, equipment, or supplies. |
| Activity: Operate transportation equipment or vehicles. |
| Activity: Perform administrative or clerical activities. |
| Activity: Prepare informational or instructional materials. |
| Activity: Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists. |
| Activity: Provide information to guests, clients, or customers. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
| High-Priority Tech Skills |
| Office suite software: |
| Microsoft Office software |
| Emerging Tech Skills |
| Spreadsheet software: |
| Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software: |
| Microsoft Word |
| General Software Tools |
| Accounting software: |
| Bookkeeping software |
| Human resources software: |
| iCIMS Talent Cloud software |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. |
| Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. |
| These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 47.0 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 22.5 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 12.6 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.3 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 6.8 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.7 (%) | Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 54.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 17.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 11.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 5.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 2.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Funeral Attendants". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Funeral Attendants
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page
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