Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers
SOC Code: 39-4031
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers carries a 32% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $49,800 and +3.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 27,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 32% AI exposure, Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers sits 5 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 38% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers has ai exposure of 32%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers (SOC 39-4031) carries an AI exposure score of 32%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 27,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.1% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $49,800, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Associate's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
- 2. Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
- 3. Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
- 4. Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- 5. Remove deceased remains from place of death.
- 6. Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
- 7. Plan, schedule, or coordinate funerals, burials, or cremations, arranging details such as floral delivery or the time and place of services.
- 8. Close caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.
- 9. Provide information on funeral service options, products, or merchandise, and maintain a casket display area.
- 10. Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Computers and Electronics
- Sales and Marketing
- Biology
- Philosophy and Theology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers?
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers has an AI exposure score of 32%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers is projected to grow by 3.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 27,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers?
Key skills for Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers include Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, and others. Typical entry-level education is Associate's degree.
How much do Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers earn?
The median annual wage for Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers is $49,800, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers?
The typical entry-level education for Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers is Associate's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers?
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).