Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   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.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Working Life

When a person dies, his or her family contacts a Funeral Director to organise the funeral for them. Duties include collecting bodies from hospitals or the residence of the deceased (this may include embalming), and laying them to rest in a parlour of repose or church.  
 
After consulting with the family of the deceased, they make all the practical arrangements with regard to the funeral - planning the obituary notices, organising the times of the service, organising flowers and transport, and ensuring that all legal requirements are satisfied, e.g. death certificate.  
 
On the day of the funeral, Funeral Directors are responsible for everything running smoothly.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
• Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
• Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
• Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
• Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
• Remove deceased remains from place of death.
• Arrange for clergy members to perform needed services.
• Provide information on funeral service options, products, or merchandise, and maintain a casket display area.
• Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
• Maintain financial records, order merchandise, or prepare accounts.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Entrants to the profession would usually work as drivers or pallbearers for a period of time before assisting the Funeral Director and then arranging funerals on their own.  
 
In the past in Ireland, undertaking was run as a family business and it was almost impossible for an 'outsider' to enter the profession. Although there are no educational requirements for this career, applicants would be required to develop skills in health care, customer care, and support.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business admin, customer service, healthcare, management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business management, healthcare, anatomy, physiology, community development, social care, social studies, counseling, psychology.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Advanced Health Care.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, health, social care work, counseling, psychology, health science, physiology.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sales, business, management, healthcare, pathology.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €48k

Salaries vary by employer, location , duties, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Paysale/ Glassdoor/ Eirieri/ Indeed/ Talent

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Psychologists, Pharmacists, Opticians (including dispensing opticians), Dental practitioners, Medical radiographers, Podiatrists, Health professionals n.e.c., Health services and public health managers and directors, Social services managers and directors, Health care practice managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment levels have fluctuated over the five-year period, with numbers employed in 2024 broadly in line with that of 2021. Three-quarters of persons employed were women, with a lower than average share who were non-Irish citizens.

New employment permits were issued across a range of job titles including radiographers, cardiac physiologists, dieticians, audiologists, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, and psychologists.

There was a fall in the share of OJAs for this occupation between 2023 and 2024, mostly related to a fall in health services and public health managers and directors.

Although demand is evident and the Government is committed to increase training places and recruitment for many of these roles, the extent to which shortages are occurring is difficult to determine due to the relatively small number of persons employed in each speciality. A workforce plan for the healthcare sector should assist in shedding further light on the issues facing this occupation.

Shortage:

Inconclusive

• Irish Association of Funeral Directors

  • Mespil House, Mespil Business Centre,Sussex Road, Dublin 4
  • 0818 935 000
  • Click Here