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Funeral Apprentice Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Bliley's

Funeral Service Apprentice

Richmond, VA · On-site

The Funeral Service Apprentice at Bliley's supports licensed funeral professionals across the organization while gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of funeral service. This role includes ...

Bliley's

Embalmer/Funeral Director

Richmond, VA

$49K - $64K/yr

Mentor and train funeral service apprentices. Other Responsibilities * Ensure compliance with all relevant laws governing the practice of funeral service. * Patiently and professionally field ...

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Funeral Apprentice information

See Virginia salary details

$5

$19

$25

How much do funeral apprentice jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for funeral apprentice in Virginia is $19.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a funeral apprentice?

A Funeral Apprentice is a trainee who works under the supervision of a licensed funeral director or embalmer to learn the skills and responsibilities of the funeral profession. Duties typically include preparing bodies, assisting with funeral services, meeting with families, and handling administrative tasks. This role provides hands-on experience and is often a step toward obtaining full licensure. Apprentices must follow state regulations and complete required training hours. It is a demanding yet rewarding career focused on providing compassionate care to grieving families.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a funeral apprentice?

To excel as a Funeral Apprentice, you should possess a foundational knowledge of mortuary science, attention to detail, and the ability to follow legal and ethical guidelines, typically demonstrated by enrollment in a funeral service education program or relevant training. Familiarity with embalming equipment, funeral management software, and safety protocols is often required. Compassion, emotional resilience, and strong interpersonal communication skills are vital soft skills for supporting grieving families and working alongside licensed funeral directors. These abilities ensure respectful, organized, and compliant funeral services while maintaining sensitivity to the needs of those experiencing loss.

What does a typical workday look like for a funeral apprentice?

A typical day for a Funeral Apprentice involves assisting licensed funeral directors with preparing the deceased, arranging service logistics, and supporting families throughout the funeral process. You may help with tasks such as documentation, coordinating visitations, embalming under supervision, and setting up ceremonies. The role often includes both office-based work with administrative duties and hands-on work in funeral homes or crematories. Funeral Apprentices work closely with a small team, gaining exposure to every aspect of funeral service, which helps build skills and knowledge for eventual licensure.

How to become a funeral apprentice?

To become a funeral apprentice, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must complete on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced funeral directors. Some states or employers may require relevant coursework in mortuary science or related fields, and obtaining licensure or certification can enhance job prospects.

What does a funeral apprentice do at a funeral home?

A funeral apprentice assists funeral directors with tasks such as preparing bodies, arranging transportation, and setting up funeral services. They learn about mortuary practices, sanitation procedures, and customer service while gaining hands-on experience in a funeral home environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Funeral jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Funeral jobs in Virginia are:

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For Funeral Apprentice jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Funeral Apprentice jobs in Virginia are:

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Funeral Apprentice jobs near you
Infographic showing various Funeral Apprentice job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,987 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Funeral Service Apprentice

Richmond, VA • On-site

Bliley's Funeral Homes & Cremation Center
See more jobs at Bliley's Funeral Homes & Cremation Centerexternal

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Description:

For more than a century, Bliley’s Funeral Homes & Cremation Center has stood for service, trust, and professionalism. As we continue to grow, joining our team means being part of a legacy of care and a culture where every associate contributes to the experience families remember. We seek individuals who hold themselves to a high standard and find meaning in helping others.


Summary of Job Function:

At Bliley's, our mission is to "guide our community through grief with ritual, education, and compassion" - and training the next generation of licensed funeral directors is a key component of that philosophy. The Funeral Service Apprentice at Bliley’s supports licensed funeral professionals across the organization while gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of funeral service. This role includes opportunities to assist with embalming, funeral arranging, and funeral direction, as well as the transportation of deceased persons, maintenance of fleet and facilities, running errands, and actively promoting Bliley’s in the community. Apprentices work under supervision of licensed funeral professionals to fulfill state licensure requirements and develop the skills necessary to become a licensed Funeral Director.


Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Assist the Central Services Manager as needed, including transporting deceased persons, answering phone calls, and running company errands.
  • Serve as a Funeral Director Assistant when needed, assisting licensed funeral directors with conducting ceremonies, transporting flowers, directing parking and processions, and driving hearses.
  • Assist licensed funeral directors in the Care Center to provide all aspects of decedent care, including embalming, dressing, presentation, and maintaining a clean environment.
  • Assist licensed funeral directors with all aspects of funeral arranging, including conferences, death certificates, obituaries, receptions, celebrants, venues, escorts, military honors, ceremony planning, etc. 
  • Assist licensed funeral directors with all aspects of funeral services, including visitations, church ceremonies, funeral home ceremonies, cemetery ceremonies, processions, etc.
  • Assist Fleet & Facilities Manager with maintenance of fleet and facilities.
  • Complete all necessary licensing requirements, including 2000 hours, 25 embalmings, and 25 family interactions.
  • Actively promote Bliley’s Funeral Homes and Cremation Center in the community.
Requirements:
  • Must have a mortuary science degree or be in the final semester of completing one.
  • Must have career ambitions for becoming a licensed funeral director.
  • Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work compassionately with families and associates of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.
  • Significant carrying, pushing and/or pulling and frequent lifting of objects weighing 25-75 pounds along with the ability for job related lifting of 75-125 pounds. 
  • Significant ability to work independently.
  • Ability to multitask within job requirements.
  • Must be detail-oriented.