Mortician Apprenticeship: Requirements, Pay, Duration & What to Expect

A mortician apprenticeship is the required supervised training period between completing your education and receiving a full license. Every U.S. state requires it, but the rules — duration, timing, case requirements, and pay — vary significantly.

This guide covers what you need to know before starting an apprenticeship, with state-specific data from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.

Apprenticeship at a Glance

Concurrent vs. Sequential Apprenticeship

This is the single biggest factor affecting your total career timeline.

Concurrent (During School)

Some states allow you to work as an apprentice while enrolled in your mortuary science program:

• You earn apprenticeship hours and school credits simultaneously
• Reduces total time to licensure by 1–2 years
• Requires balancing school + work schedules
• Best for: People who want the fastest path to full licensure

Sequential (After Graduation)

Other states require you to finish your degree first before apprenticeship hours count:

• Apprenticeship begins only after you graduate
• Adds 1–3 years to your total timeline
• Allows full focus on education first, then practice
• Best for: People who prefer to separate learning phases

State-by-State Apprenticeship Rules

For your state’s specific apprenticeship rules, see: Mortician License Requirements by State

What You Do During an Apprenticeship

Embalming and Preparation

• Assisting with and eventually performing embalmings under supervision
• Learning restorative art techniques for trauma or decomposition cases
• Cosmetology — preparing the deceased for viewing
• Dressing and casketing
• Documenting each case for your required case reports

Funeral Directing

• Meeting with families to arrange services
• Coordinating with clergy, cemeteries, florists, and other vendors
• Directing visitations, funerals, and memorial services
• Handling legal paperwork — death certificates, permits, insurance claims
• Managing logistics — transportation, scheduling, facility setup

Business Operations

• Answering phones and first-call response (including nights and weekends)
• Learning pricing, contracts, and FTC Funeral Rule compliance
• Managing inventory and supplies
• Understanding funeral home accounting and billing

Case Reports

Every apprenticeship requires you to document a minimum number of cases. A typical case report includes:

• Type of case (embalming, arrangement, service direction)
• Procedures performed
• Chemicals and techniques used
• Supervisor’s signature and evaluation
• Date and facility information

How Much Do Apprentices Get Paid?

Apprenticeship is a paid position, but wages are typically below the median for licensed morticians:

Factors affecting apprentice pay:

• Location — urban areas pay more but cost of living is higher
• Funeral home size — large corporate chains (SCI/Dignity Memorial) often pay more than small independent homes
• Your responsibilities — apprentices who take on more tasks may negotiate higher pay
• Prior experience — any healthcare, customer service, or relevant background helps

For comparison, the median salary for a fully licensed mortician is $49,800/year (BLS 2024). See: Mortician Salary Calculator

How to Find an Apprenticeship

1. Through Your School

Most ABFSE-accredited programs have relationships with local funeral homes and can connect students with apprenticeship positions. This is the most common path.

2. Direct Outreach

Contact funeral homes in your area directly. Many smaller homes don’t advertise apprenticeship positions but will take on apprentices if asked.

3. State Board Resources

Some state boards maintain lists of funeral homes approved to host apprentices. Check your state licensing board website.

4. Industry Job Boards

• iCIMS / Indeed — search “funeral apprentice” or “mortician intern”
• State funeral director association job boards
• NFDA career center — National Funeral Directors Association

What to Look For

When choosing an apprenticeship site, prioritize:

• Case volume — higher volume means faster case completion and more diverse experience
• Mentorship quality — a good supervisor makes or breaks the experience
• Both embalming and directing — exposure to both sides of the business
• Reasonable hours — on-call is expected, but burnout during training is real

Common Apprenticeship Challenges

On-Call Demands

Death doesn’t follow a schedule. Expect:

• Evening and weekend calls
• Holiday coverage rotations
• First-call responses at 2 AM

Emotional Adjustment

The first few months involve confronting death regularly. This gets easier but never becomes routine. Read: Emotional Challenges of Being a Mortician

Pay vs. Workload

Apprentice wages are low relative to the hours and emotional labor involved. This is a known pain point in the industry.

Documentation Burden

Keeping thorough case reports while managing a full workload requires discipline. Stay current — don’t try to backfill months of case reports at the end.

For a detailed first-person account, read: What to Expect in Your First Year as a Mortician Apprentice

After Your Apprenticeship

Once you complete the required hours and cases:

1. Apply to take the NBE — National Board Exam (Arts and Sciences sections)
2. Take your state jurisprudence exam — state-specific funeral law
3. Submit your license application — background check, transcripts, case reports, fees
4. Receive your license — typically within 2–8 weeks after passing all exams

Next Steps

• Find a school: School Finder — 58 ABFSE Programs
• Check your state’s rules: License Requirements by State
• See all requirements: Mortician Requirements
• Calculate your timeline: How Long Does It Take to Become a Mortician?
• Explore salary after licensure: Mortician Salary by State