They are designed to reduce the unpleasant aspects of the job. Hours can be irregular, depending on the need for services. Sometimes they live on the premises. Embalming requires frequent lifting of objects that are heavy. Funeral directors and embalmers are occasionally exposed to chemicals.
Wages vary considerably with training, experience and locality.
Entry level wages may be lower. Pay varies with size of the firm and the number of services performed. Salaries also vary by the funeral directors experience and the number of funeral homes managed by the director. The size of the community can affect wages. Funeral directors in small towns and rural areas perform fewer services each year.