2

Entry Level Cemetery Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Cemetery information

See California salary details

$15

$27

$36

How much do entry level cemetery jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level cemetery in California is $27.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.27 and $32.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To succeed as an Entry Level Cemetery Worker, you generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical stamina, and basic landscaping or groundskeeping skills. Familiarity with landscaping equipment, power tools, and potentially cemetery management software is helpful. Reliability, attention to detail, and respectful communication are important soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the cemetery grounds are well-maintained and that bereaved families are treated with dignity and care.

What are some typical responsibilities and challenges faced in an entry-level cemetery position?

In an entry-level cemetery role, you can expect to handle a variety of tasks such as grounds maintenance, assisting with burials and memorial services, and providing customer service to families. A common challenge is balancing the physical demands of outdoor work with the sensitivity required when interacting with grieving families. Teamwork is essential, as you’ll often coordinate with groundskeepers, funeral directors, and administrative staff. This position offers a chance to gain valuable experience in cemetery operations, which can lead to advancement into supervisory or specialized roles over time.

What are entry level cemetery jobs?

Entry level cemetery jobs are positions within a cemetery that typically require little to no previous experience or specialized training. These roles can include groundskeeping, maintenance, administrative support, assisting with burials, and customer service. Entry level workers may be responsible for maintaining the cemetery grounds, setting up for services, helping visitors, and performing general upkeep. These jobs are important for ensuring that cemeteries remain respectful, welcoming, and well-maintained. Training is often provided on the job, and these positions can lead to more specialized roles with experience.

How do you get a job at the graveyard?

To get an entry-level cemetery job, such as groundskeeper or maintenance worker, you should look for openings at local cemeteries or funeral homes, often posted online or in community job boards. Relevant skills include attention to detail, physical stamina, and sometimes a valid driver's license; some positions may require a background check or basic certifications. Applying with a resume highlighting relevant experience and demonstrating reliability can improve your chances of employment.

What is the difference between Entry Level Cemetery vs Entry Level Funeral Director?

AspectEntry Level CemeteryEntry Level Funeral Director
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; some states require licensing or certificationHigh school diploma; licensing or certification often required
Work EnvironmentCemeteries, outdoor settings, maintenance, and groundskeepingFuneral homes, offices, and event coordination
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by cemeteries and memorial parksUsed by funeral homes and mortuary services

Entry Level Cemetery roles focus on groundskeeping, maintenance, and cemetery operations, often outdoors. Entry Level Funeral Director positions involve coordinating funeral services, client interaction, and administrative tasks. Both roles require similar certifications and are part of the funeral and memorial industry, but they differ in daily duties and work environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cemetery jobs in California? The most popular types of Cemetery jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Cemetery jobs in California? For Entry Level Cemetery jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Cemetery jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Cemetery job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Cemetery job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 15% Full Time, 44% Part Time, 36% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,234 per year, or $27.5 per hour.
Groundskeeper (part-time)

$20/hr

Part-time

Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Service Corporation International rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 89 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 8 rated funeral services


Job description

Our associates celebrate lives. We celebrate our associates.

Entry-level role maintaining the grounds provided at a cemetery or funeral home location(s). Performs all groundskeeping and maintenance matters on the properties and maintains the overall appearance of a cemetery, mausoleum or funeral home location. Incumbent gains an understanding of how a cemetery operates.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Mows grass, plows snow, waters lawns, fertilizes and trims shrubs, tends flower beds and regularly inspects assigned work areas to ensure proper standards are maintained
  • Operates lawn and grounds equipment including push and power mowers, snow blowers, weed eaters, leaf blowers and other related power equipment
  • Removes debris and trash from grounds. May include turning down vases and removing wilted flowers
  • Participates on teams for openings and closings for interments, entombments and inurnments
  • Assists in determining the location and layout of individual graves with assistance, complying with verification procedures
  • May perform minor repairs to the cemetery, building systems or equipment
  • May perform some of the duties associated with cremations such as maintaining inventory and complying with federal and state cremation regulations under supervision
  • May assist in moving and installing burial vaults
  • Must follow safety rules and ensure compliance with the operating procedures of corporate, federal, state and local regulations, including OSHA regulations and Safety and Environmental guidelines
  • This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the essential functions or duties related to this job

MINIMUM Requirements

Education

  • High school diploma or equivalent required

Certification/License

Experience

  • Minimum (6) months relevant experience in landscaping, general construction, warehouse, physical labor demonstrating steady employment
  • Funeral industry experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Ability to operate hand-held tools and equipment, including, but not limited to a shovel, pick, rake, sledgehammer, lawn mower, weed trimmer and leaf blower
  • Ability to accurately use measuring devices (i.e. tape measure, yard-stick, etc.)
  • Ability to work in extreme weather conditions
  • Physically agile and dexterous
  • Ability to operate equipment in a safe and careful manner
  • Ability to effectively work with others to accomplish tasks
  • Ability to communicate effectively with associates, contractor personnel and client families
  • Basic computer skills to enable retrieving and responding to email communications

Work CONDITIONS

Work Environment
  • Work outdoors during all seasons and weather conditions
  • Comply with Field dress code policy
Work Postures
  • Frequent, continuous periods of time standing, up 6 hours per day
  • Climbing stairs to access buildings frequently
Physical Demands
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling up to 50 pounds
Work Hours
  • Working beyond "standard" hours as the need arises
  • Schedule may fluctuate, if a need arises, to an earlier or a later shift

Compensation:

Salary: $20.00/hr.

Benefits:

Part-time associates working an average 20 hours a week may be eligible for 401(k).

Postal Code: 96001Category (Portal Searching): Cemetery MaintenanceJob Location: US-CA - Redding

What Service Corporation International employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom