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Cemetery Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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City Clerk

Carlisle, IA · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

Coordinates City Council meetings and public notices, maintains official records, ordinances, and licenses, supports elections and cemetery operations, and assists with personnel, financial, and ...

Everstory Partners

Sales Counselor

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$40K - $50K/yr

This position sells pre-need and at-need funeral services and inventory as well as cemetery services, property and merchandise. * The Sales Counselor assists families with funeral selections and ...

Everstory Partners

Sales Counselor

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$40K - $50K/yr

This position sells pre-need and at-need funeral services and inventory as well as cemetery services, property and merchandise. * The Sales Counselor assists families with funeral selections and ...

Apply Early

Everstory Partners

Sales Counselor

Sioux City, IA

$40K - $50K/yr

This position sells pre-need and at-need funeral services and inventory as well as cemetery services, property and merchandise. * The Sales Counselor assists families with funeral selections and ...

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All JobsCemetery JobsCemetery Jobs in Iowa

Cemetery information

See Iowa salary details

$14

$26

$34

How much do cemetery jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for cemetery in Iowa is $26.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.12 and $31.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much money do cemetery workers make?

Cemetery workers, including roles such as groundskeepers and maintenance staff, typically earn between $25,000 and $45,000 annually, depending on experience and location. Skilled workers with certifications or specialized tasks may earn higher wages, and the job often requires physical labor and knowledge of safety procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cemetery Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cemetery Worker, you typically need physical stamina, attention to detail, and basic landscaping or groundskeeping experience, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with machinery such as backhoes, lawn mowers, and record-keeping systems is commonly required. Compassion, reliability, and respectful communication are important soft skills for interacting with grieving families and working as part of a team. These skills ensure the cemetery is maintained with dignity, safety, and sensitivity to the needs of visitors.

What are some common challenges faced by cemetery workers, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Cemetery workers often encounter challenges such as working outdoors in varying weather conditions, handling heavy equipment, and performing physically demanding tasks like grave preparation and landscaping. Additionally, the role requires sensitivity and professionalism when interacting with grieving families. To address these challenges, workers should prioritize safety protocols, use proper protective gear, and receive training in customer service and equipment operation. Many cemeteries also foster teamwork and provide support resources to help staff manage the emotional aspects of the job.

What Are Different Jobs at a Cemetery?

The jobs in a cemetery or graveyard revolve around taking care of the grounds and facilitating funeral services. You may find a position as a caretaker or groundskeeper whose duties include caring for the grounds of the cemetery and tending to the graves or other memorial markers. Cemeteries may also have a gravedigger whose responsibilities involve digging and placing the remains in the grave. A cemetery may have sales professionals who sell grave plots, memorial service directors, and other service providers, such as stone engravers, flower arrangers, and hearse drivers.

What are the different jobs at a cemetery?

Jobs at a cemetery include roles such as groundskeeper, funeral director, monument installer, administrative staff, and maintenance workers. These positions often require knowledge of cemetery operations, customer service skills, and sometimes certifications in funeral services or horticulture. Employees typically work in outdoor environments and may need to handle sensitive situations with professionalism.

What are cemetery workers called?

Cemetery workers are commonly called groundskeepers, maintenance workers, or cemetery attendants. They are responsible for tasks such as landscaping, maintaining gravesites, and assisting visitors, often working outdoors and requiring knowledge of safety procedures and sometimes certifications in groundskeeping or horticulture.

What is the difference between Cemetery vs Funeral Director?

AspectCemeteryFuneral Director
Primary RoleMaintains and manages burial grounds and grave sitesCoordinates funeral services and assists families with arrangements
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, cemetery groundsIndoor office, funeral homes, and sometimes outdoor sites
Required CertificationsMay require state-specific groundskeeping or maintenance licensesFuneral director license, embalming certification
Industry UsagePart of the funeral services industry, often working closely with funeral directorsFuneral services industry, overseeing arrangements and ceremonies

While cemeteries focus on maintaining burial grounds, funeral directors handle funeral arrangements and coordinate services. Both roles are essential in the funeral industry but serve different functions within the process of honoring the deceased.

What are cemetery workers and what do they do?

Cemetery workers are responsible for maintaining the grounds of cemeteries, preparing gravesites for burials, and sometimes assisting with funeral services. Their duties often include landscaping, operating machinery to dig or fill graves, setting up burial markers, and ensuring the cemetery remains a peaceful and respectful environment for visitors. They may also provide customer service to grieving families, help with record-keeping, and ensure compliance with legal and safety regulations. The role requires attention to detail, respect for the deceased and their families, and physical stamina.

What qualifications do you need to work at a cemetery?

To work at a cemetery, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Relevant skills include knowledge of groundskeeping, basic maintenance, and customer service; some roles may require certifications in operating equipment or handling hazardous materials. Prior experience in landscaping or funeral services can be beneficial.
More about Cemetery jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Cemetery jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Cemetery jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Cemetery jobs in Iowa? For Cemetery jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cemetery jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Cemetery jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Cemetery jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Cemetery job openings:
Cemetery jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cemetery job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,471 per year, or $26.2 per hour.
Office Manager

Office Manager

Service Corporation International

West Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Service Corporation International rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 92 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 8 rated funeral services

Job description

Our associates celebrate lives. We celebrate our associates.
Manages and coordinates the operational activities of a funeral home, cemetery and/or crematory operation. Ensures the highest quality services and products, to satisfy the need of any client family, to maximize budgeted profit plans for the location, and maintain a positive employee relations atmosphere.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Accounting Function Oversight
  • Collections of all accounts receivable
  • Verifications and payments of all accounts payable invoices
  • Controls of receipt and deposit of cash payments received
  • Maintains petty cash account and disburses the same in accordance with company policies and procedures
  • Reconciliations of all accounts
  • Cash advance checks
  • Same Day Check requests
  • Bank deposits
  • Verifies/audits cash disbursement reports
  • Tracks Capital Expenditure Authorizations (CEAs)

Operational Activities
  • Orders supplies for the office and completes inventory counts
  • Coordinates the processing of orders and receipt of all merchandise orders including memorials and caskets and the control of storage inventory for vaults and markers, urns and caskets
  • Oversees the processing of installation funeral-related orders and orders to the grounds and maintenance departments
  • Supports location management to ensure all contracts and work orders are completed in a timely manner with proper documentation
  • Schedules incoming orders and drivers for the ambulate service
  • Completes various funeral/cemetery reports and files accurately
  • Supports Sales as necessary requiring an understanding of JD Powers
  • Assures compliance with all Company policies and procedures to include
    • Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) audit
    • Dignity University (DU) training
    • Interment Verification Training (IVT) audits
    • Day Sales Outstanding's (DSO) related to financial and administrative areas
  • Assists in preparing and/or overseeing all funeral/cemetery-related forms
  • Reviews time cards and administers corporate payroll policies and procedures
  • Administers local Human Resources (HR) processes such as processing new hire paperwork, verifying pre-need sales licenses, maintaining employee files and other confidential files (I9's, etc.).
  • Ensures new associates receive new hire orientation
  • Pulls monthly reports from reporting site and create stack ranking reports for key performance indicators
  • Maintains vehicle records/licenses
  • Processes expense reports
  • Updates General Price Lists (GPLs)
  • Manages all Alarm Systems (codes, working order, etc.)
  • Assists with funeral services and "Making Everlasting Memories" (MEMs) as needed
  • Coordinates daily activities with business unit as well as other departments
  • Trains associates in the proper administration of policies and procedures
  • Services customers by interacting with families in a professional and compassionate manner
  • Maintains and updates customer records
  • Updates company website with current obituaries and ensures obituaries are placed in newspapers
  • Provides a collaborative, productive workplace environment for associate growth and development that instills pride, a sense of ownership, and the challenge to associates to exceed expectations
  • Behaves in a supportive way to enrich the work environment
  • Uses customer feedback in conjunction with Sales to improve location administration and strengthen individual associate performance
  • Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education
  • High school diploma, GED or completion of a diploma-training program at a college or technical school

Experience
  • Two (2) years bookkeeping, general office, clerical accounting, and Accounts Payable experience required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Solid working knowledge of computers, typewriter, MS Office, e-mail, internet and basic office equipment required
  • Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing
  • High level of compassion, integrity, and confidentiality
  • Problem solving skills
  • Ability to multi task and set priorities
  • Detail oriented
  • Must be flexible and able to function in a face-paced environment

WORK CONDITIONS
Work Environment
  • Professional Dress is required when in contact with families.

Work Postures
  • Sitting continuously for many hours per day, up to 6 hours per day
  • Climbing stairs to access buildings frequently

Physical Demands
  • Physical effort requiring manual dexterity is required, includes paperwork, calculators, computers and phone usage

Work Hours
  • Working beyond "standard" hours as the need arises

Postal Code: 50265
Category (Portal Searching): Operations
Job Location: US-IA - West Des Moines

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