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Funeral Service Assistant Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Autopsy Assistant

Rochester, NY · On-site

$19.91 - $26.88/hr

... funeral director. * Maintains equipment, including requesting inspections and service as needed ... assistant experience required * Or equivalent combination of education and experience The ...

Funeral Service Assistant information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$7

$16

$24

How much do funeral service assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for funeral service assistant in Rochester, NY is $16.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a funeral service assistant?

Funeral Service Assistants are professionals who support funeral directors in the planning and execution of funeral services. Their duties often include preparing the venue, transporting flowers and remains, assisting mourners, and ensuring that services run smoothly. They may also help with administrative tasks, such as maintaining records and completing paperwork. Funeral Service Assistants play a crucial role in providing compassionate support to grieving families and ensuring that all aspects of the service are handled with dignity and respect.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a funeral service assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Funeral Service Assistant, you need knowledge of funeral service procedures, attention to detail, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with scheduling software, basic office equipment, and sometimes state-specific certifications is useful. Strong interpersonal skills, compassion, and professionalism are essential for supporting grieving families and working with funeral directors. These abilities ensure respectful service, smooth operations, and emotional support during sensitive situations.

What are some common challenges funeral service assistants face when supporting grieving families?

Funeral Service Assistants often encounter the challenge of providing compassionate support to grieving families while maintaining professionalism and composure. Balancing empathy with the practical responsibilities of setting up services, assisting with ceremonial arrangements, and coordinating logistics can be emotionally demanding. Additionally, adapting to last-minute changes and managing sensitive situations with discretion requires strong interpersonal skills. This role is well-suited to individuals who are emotionally resilient and able to offer comfort in difficult moments.

What is the difference between Funeral Service Assistant vs Funeral Director?

AspectFuneral Service AssistantFuneral Director
CredentialsHigh school diploma, on-the-job trainingLicensing, funeral service education
Work EnvironmentAssist with funeral arrangements, setup, and support staffManage funeral services, client consultations, and administrative tasks
Industry UsageSupport role in funeral homesLeadership role overseeing funeral operations

Funeral Service Assistants typically support funeral homes by helping with setup, transportation, and client support, often requiring minimal formal education. Funeral Directors hold licensing and manage entire funeral services, including client consultations and administrative duties. While both roles work closely within the funeral industry, Funeral Service Assistants focus on operational support, whereas Funeral Directors lead and coordinate funeral arrangements.

How do you become a funeral service assistant?

To become a funeral service assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may benefit from experience in customer service or healthcare. On-the-job training is common, and strong communication, organizational skills, and the ability to handle emotional situations are important. Certification is not usually required but can enhance job prospects.

How much do funeral service assistants get paid?

Funeral service assistants typically earn a median hourly wage of around $14 to $20, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $30,000 to $40,000. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and employer, and the role often requires strong interpersonal skills and familiarity with funeral service procedures.

What are the most commonly searched types of Funeral Service jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Funeral Service jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What are popular job titles related to Funeral Service Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Funeral Service Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Funeral Service Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Funeral Service Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Funeral Service Assistant jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Funeral Service Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Funeral Service Assistant job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,755 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

$19.91 - $26.88/hr

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


University Of Rochester rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 186 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

128th of 622 rated colleges and universities


Job description

School of Medicine and Dentistry

Full time

R273914

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

500238 Autopsy Pathology

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URCD 204 H

Compensation Range:

$19.91 - $26.88

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

Assists pathologists, pathologists' assistants, and pathologists-in-training (residents and student fellows), and trains entering residents and year-out student fellows the performance of evisceration techniques in postmortem examinations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Performs body incisions and evisceration of organs during postmortem examinations. Delivers specimens for special studies. Prepares and expedites delivery of cadaver to funeral director. Institutes universal precautions, especially during infectious cases, as prescribed by Autopsy Procedure Manual.

  • Obtains consent forms, charts, and necessary paperwork for each patient to be autopsied. Sets up dissection area with instruments and specimen containers. Retrieves autopsy consent and charts from the Admitting Office. Notifies prosecutor of autopsy by page or phone call. Completes administrative work throughout autopsy, including logging, tracking, and processing paperwork/copies. Sets up autopsy room and tolls needed for autopsy. Removes body from the cooler, puts on autopsy table, and assists with providing gross examination, including specimen samples. Cleans and returns body to cooler. Cleans autopsy table and instruments.

  • Responsible for general cleanliness of autopsy suite, including all tables, sinks, and counter tops. Keeps all items stocked in morgue room, including all PPE, gloves, aprons, and face shields. Copies and restocks work sheets, etc. as needed. Keeps full decal supply at trim areas. Keeps trim areas stocked with basic instruments, including scalpel handles, scissors, forceps, probes, rulers, towels, ink, small empty specimen containers, and scalpel blades. Cleans up and disinfects morgue after every prosecution, organ review, and conference. Requests special assistance with floors, etc., as needed. Cleans cooler after spills. Restocks spill kit for after-hours and weekends.

  • Serves as liaison to administrative assistant for technology issues. Rinses brains, readies COW's, and collects and readies administrative and storage needs and remains available for Brain Cutting and Autopsy conferences.

  • Prepares and expedites cadaver for delivery to funeral director.

  • Maintains equipment, including requesting inspections and service as needed. Keeps maintenance and temperature logs. Institutes precautions as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual during infectious cases.

  • Stores and handles chemicals involved in safe manner as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual. Maintains supplies and ensures prosecution instruments are sharp and in good working condition. Arranges for scheduled instrument sharpening bi-annually.

  • Collects and delivers tissue for incineration in approved manner, as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual. Picks up placentas from the Obstetrics department for cremation purposes. Verifies identification tags and tags indicating specimen for cremation.

  • Maintains logs of autopsy cases, bodies delivered to funeral directors, and organs for disposal and assists with coordinating specimens saved for specimen museum. Readies bodies for family viewing on an as needed basis.

  • Monitors disposition of bodies stored in the cooler on a daily basis. Checks body identifications with log book at the beginning and end of each day. Contacts appropriate people at the funeral home and/or unit if a discrepancy occurs.

  • Maintains and picks scrubs up from laundry for use by Neuropathology and Autopsy Pathology faculty, prosecutors, and technicians.

  • Assists funeral director with body removals.

  • Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Associate's degree in biological science with anatomy background required or

  • 1 year autopsy assistant experience required

  • Or equivalent combination of education and experience

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

Notice: If you are a Current Employee, please log into myURHR to search for and apply to jobs using the Jobs Hub. Your application, if submitted using this portal, cannot be moved forward.

Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.

Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries—always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better.

If you’re looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals.

At the University of Rochester, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture and are united by a strong commitment to be ever better—Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.


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