Opportunities for employment are good as there is a shortage of funeral directors/embalmers in New Zealand. Most funeral firms are having trouble finding both trainees and experienced staff to fill vacancies. Funeral directors with experience are in particular demand.

This shortage has occurred because:

• 60% of funeral directors/embalmers are between the ages of 45 and 64, and there are not enough people entering the job to replace them as they retire
• funeral directing businesses are becoming more selective about who they employ, and want staff who have relevant experience as well as people skills
• turnover among funeral directors/embalmers is high, as the job can be emotionally draining and stressful.

Census figures show that the number of funeral directors/embalmers has remained stable since 2001. In 2006 there were 576 funeral directors/embalmers in New Zealand.

Training opportunities for funeral directors/embalmers better at larger firms

Job opportunities for inexperienced staff are better at larger firms, as smaller family-run businesses generally have fewer vacancies and less time and money to spend on training. Most people are taken on as trainees, and have to work in the industry for 12 months before they can complete the National Certificate in Funeral Directing or Embalming.

Demand for funeral services expected to grow because of ageing population

According to the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ), the projected death rate could rise by a third from 2012. If the death rate does rise by this amount, it will further increase demand for the services of funeral directors/embalmers.

Funeral directors can work for:

• large businesses with a number of branches
• small family-run funeral homes
• monumental masonry and headstone shops.

Some funeral directors run their own businesses.

Funeral directors/embalmers can work throughout New Zealand, but the four regions employing the most are:

• Auckland (20% of funeral directors/embalmers)
• Canterbury (18%)
• Waikato (12%)
• Wellington (11%).