Funeral director
Level 3 · AdvancedSales, marketing and procurement 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Funeral Director apprenticeship trains you to lead the professional care and arrangement of funerals, supporting bereaved families from the point of death through to the service and committal. You will develop skills in client communication, legal requirements, and the practical management of funeral services. This standard leads to senior funeral director, branch manager, or funeral business ownership roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Legal requirements for death registration and certification
Care of the deceased and preparation for viewing and burial
Arranging and directing funeral services and cremations
Bereavement support and sensitive communication with families
Funeral industry regulations and codes of practice
Administration, documentation, and compliance requirements
Managing funeral vehicles, premises, and staff
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Meet bereaved families and take funeral arrangement instructions
Liaise with doctors, coroners, and crematorium staff
Oversee care of the deceased in the funeral home
Direct funeral services at church, crematorium, or graveside
Prepare and process all legal and administrative paperwork
Advise families on coffins, floral tributes, and funeral options
Manage and support junior funeral team members
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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