- Salary statistics
- Funeral assistant
Funeral assistant
34 600 - 36 400 kr / month
Women earn 97% of what men do.
Socialt arbete
Salary progression Funeral assistant
What does a Funeral Assistant do? – Tasks and work environment
A Funeral Assistant supports relatives in planning and conducting funerals. Tasks include practical and administrative services such as booking ceremonies, handling flowers and transportation, and liaising with churches, crematoria, and other actors. The role requires great sensitivity, empathy, and integrity, as the work involves close contact with grieving people. The work environment is often calm and respectful, and can include both office work and physical tasks in chapels or church spaces.
Salary development over time
The salary of a Funeral Assistant has shown a clear upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,500 SEK per month, increasing to 33 800 SEK in 2023 and further to 35 000 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to an approximate 11 percent increase over the three-year period. This development can partly be explained by increasing demand for qualified personnel, as well as general wage adjustments within service professions with high personal contact. Changes in collective agreements and increased focus on the work environment may also have contributed to the rise. Despite some salary differences between women and men, the gap has decreased slightly, reflecting a slow but positive trend towards greater equality in the profession.
Funeral Assistant salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 35 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 34,600 SEK/month (female, unspecified education)
- Highest salary: 36,400 SEK/month (female, private sector, 3-year high school education)
- Hourly wage: 210 SEK/hour
- Women: 34,600 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
- Men: 35,600 SEK/month
- Regional differences: No clear regional variations available
Education and qualifications
The pathway to working as a Funeral Assistant often involves a high school diploma, preferably with a focus on healthcare, administration, or similar fields. Many employers offer internal training and onboarding, but there are also specialized courses within the funeral industry. Practical experience and good references are often highly valued in recruitment. Personal qualities such as empathy, precision, and excellent service orientation are crucial for success.
- Formal education: High school diploma, typically 3 years
- Courses/certifications: Industry-specific training offered by employers and industry organizations
- Internship: Internships or introductory positions are common
- Prerequisites: Good Swedish language skills, service experience
- Tips: Experience working with people in vulnerable situations is advantageous
Funeral Assistants often meet people at their most vulnerable moments and need to communicate with dignity and warmth. The ability to handle unexpected situations calmly is highly valued in the industry.
Common benefits and compensations
Funeral Assistants are often covered by collective agreements that include occupational pensions, sick pay, and insurance. Many employers also offer wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and sometimes opportunities for further training within the profession. Other benefits may include subsidized lunches or employee support services for counseling needs.
Competition and challenges
The job market for Funeral Assistants is characterized by relatively stable demand, but competition can vary depending on region and employer. Since the profession requires specific personal qualities, the selection process is often thorough. A challenge is managing emotionally demanding situations daily while maintaining high service standards. There are also requirements to quickly adapt to different tasks and customer needs, which demands flexibility and professionalism.
Tips for those wanting to become a Funeral Assistant
To succeed as a Funeral Assistant, it is beneficial to develop strong empathy and active listening skills. Being meticulous and organized facilitates handling administrative tasks and coordinating ceremonies. Flexibility is key, as the workday may include both planned and unexpected moments. It is recommended to seek internships or part-time jobs in service or healthcare to gain experience working with people in sensitive situations. Showing respect and discretion in all contacts is essential to build trust with relatives. Initiative and willingness to learn new routines are highly valued by employers. Finally, good teamwork skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team are advantageous.
Key facts about Funeral Assistants
- Education level: High school diploma (3 years) most common
- Work environment: Office, church/chapel, and sometimes outdoors
- Work form: Full-time or part-time, often daytime but some on-call work possible
- Demand: 237 job openings in the profession (May 2024)
- Special skills: Empathy, service, and discretion
Career paths and future outlook
After 3–5 years of experience, a Funeral Assistant can advance to more qualified roles such as funeral advisor, supervisor, or administrative manager within the industry. Some choose further education to work as a civil officiant or in crematorium operations. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, no detailed assessment is made for this profession due to limited data, but with 237 job openings, there are good opportunities for the right person. The industry is less affected by economic fluctuations compared to other sectors, offering relatively stable employment prospects.
Common questions about Funeral Assistants
- What does a Funeral Assistant earn?
- The average salary is 35 000 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and sector. - How does one become a Funeral Assistant?
- Most commonly, a high school diploma, preferably with a focus on service or healthcare, along with internal training from the employer. - Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Yes, women earn on average 97% of what men do within the profession. - What personal qualities are required?
- Empathy, accuracy, discretion, and good service skills are especially important. - What are the future prospects?
- Currently, there are 237 job openings in the profession, and the industry is considered stable. - What education is required?
- High school education is common, sometimes supplemented with industry-specific courses. - What does a Funeral Assistant do?
- The role involves practical and administrative support before and during funerals, as well as contact with relatives.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 36200 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 33600 kr | 34400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35400 kr | 36400 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34100 kr | 35000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 36200 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 33600 kr | 34400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35400 kr | 36400 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34100 kr | 35000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 36200 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 33600 kr | 34400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35400 kr | 36400 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34100 kr | 35000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 34600 kr | 35900 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34100 kr | 35600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 34600 kr | 35900 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34100 kr | 35600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 34600 kr | 35900 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34100 kr | 35600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 33400 kr | 33700 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34000 kr | 34600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 33400 kr | 33700 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34000 kr | 34600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 33400 kr | 33700 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 34000 kr | 34600 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Funeral assistant has the SSYK code 5161, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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