Industry vacancies
Pre-employment to Introduction to Funeral Service Certificate
Diploma in Funeral Directing
Diploma in Embalming

Funeral directors and embalmers need to be compassionate, professional, and detail-oriented, with the ability to work discreetly and support families with care. The role can be physically demanding and requires a tidy appearance, reliability, and flexibility, including working on a roster as services are provided 24/7.

Funeral directors work closely with families to arrange and lead funerals, coordinate logistics, prepare the deceased for viewing, and manage all aspects of the service, including liaising with celebrants, handling legal requirements, and providing ongoing support.

There are two main career paths:

  • Funeral Director, supporting families and organising services,
  • and Embalmer, preparing the deceased for viewing and burial or cremation.
  • Many professionals choose to train in both.

If you’re interested in a career in funeral service, contact your local Funeral Director to learn more.

Industry vacancies

Our vacancies page connects compassionate professionals with opportunities across Funeral Directors Association member firms.

Whether you’re starting your career or looking for your next step in the profession, this is where you’ll find current roles that support meaningful work, helping families at one of life’s most important moments.

Roles may include funeral directors, embalmers, and support staff, all requiring empathy, professionalism, and care.

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Pre-employment Introduction to Funeral Service Certificate

This course is designed to support anyone considering a career in the funeral profession or anyone who would like a better understanding of the profession, including new employees within the funeral business.

Delivered entirely online, this self-paced certificate course will help the learner gain an understanding of whether a career in the funeral profession is right for them.

Upon successful completion the learner will receive a Funeral Directors Association endorsed Certificate of Completion. This can be added to job applications/curriculum vitaes to show prospective employers your commitment to a career in the funeral profession.

This course takes 4 hours to complete, costs $97.75 (gst incl), and covers the below topics:

  • The Funeral Directors Association and the important role they play in the funeral profession in New Zealand
  • Funerals and society from a New Zealand and global perspective
  • The important role of the Funeral Director
  • An introduction to the cremation process
  • An introduction to the embalming process
Click here to register and complete the course.
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Diploma in Funeral Directing

The Open Polytechnic NZ offers the NZ Diploma in Funeral Directing (Level 5).

The online New Zealand Diploma in Funeral Directing (Level 5) allows you to maintain professional standards for the funeral services industry. This programme will provide individuals who are employed as a funeral director in the funeral services industry, a credential that will support their employment opportunities.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to: 

  • Conduct themselves in a professional manner, applying the code of industry conduct to funeral directing services
  • Communicate funeral service options, and work with bereaved families and whānau to provide an optimal outcome for the funeral service
  • Communicate with stakeholders throughout the process of providing funeral directing services
  • Integrate the history and philosophy of funeral directing into processes
  • Identify bereaved families’ needs, wishes and cultural expectations for funeral activities
  • Coordinate funeral activities within the legal and ethical requirements of funeral directing
  • Work safely, managing the health and safety of themselves, others and the environment within the funeral directing industry.

At successful completion students will be awarded the New Zealand Diploma in Funeral Directing (Level 5). More info here....

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Diploma in Embalming

Kalandra offers the Diploma in Embalming (Level 5) programme. This online course is designed for those working in the funeral services sector who will require practical skills to endorse their theoretical knowledge.

Graduates of this programme will be able work independently, safely and with a knowledge of health and safety of the embalming process, on a dead human body.

The types of theory covered in the programme include:

  • Professional Embalming
  • Mortuary Layout and Maintenance
  • Science within the Embalming Process
  • Preparation for Embalming
  • Specialised Embalming
  • Embalming Presentation
  • Embalming Practice

At successful completion students will be awarded the New Zealand Diploma in Embalming (Level 5). More info here....

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