Funeral professions: roles, training and salaries in Switzerland

Why choose a career in the funeral sector?

The funeral sector offers solid and meaningful professional prospects. In Switzerland, demographic ageing guarantees constant demand for qualified professionals. According to figures from the funeral sector, more than 70,000 deaths are registered each year in the country.

Working in the funeral sector means practising a useful and deeply human profession. You support families during a difficult time, providing them with support, listening and practical solutions. The diversity of professions allows everyone to find their place: advisory, technical, management or ceremony.

Job stability is a major asset. Funeral companies regularly seek trained staff. Salaries are reasonable and opportunities for advancement are real for motivated professionals.

Advisory and support professions

These funeral professions place human relationships at the heart of the activity. Advisory and support professionals are the first points of contact for bereaved families. Their role is essential in creating a climate of trust and guiding loved ones in their choices.

Empathy, active listening and the ability to manage emotions are indispensable. These professions also require excellent knowledge of the services offered by funeral homes and impeccable administrative rigour.

Training prioritises the acquisition of relational and organisational skills. Career opportunities are numerous, both in small family structures and in large funeral companies.

Funeral adviser

The funeral adviser is the pillar of family support. They welcome loved ones, listen to them and guide them in organising the funeral. They prepare quotations, coordinate the various services and ensure administrative follow-up of the file.

In Switzerland, the reference training is the Federal VET Diploma (CFC) in funeral services, supplemented by specific continuing education. The adviser must master the legal, administrative and logistical aspects of funerals.

The average salary ranges between 55,000 and 75,000 CHF per year, depending on experience and region. Essential qualities: empathy, organisational skills, rigour and excellent communication. Discretion and the ability to manage stress are also paramount.

Master of ceremonies

The master of ceremonies orchestrates the funeral proceedings. They welcome loved ones, coordinate the various participants and ensure the proper conduct of the tribute. They often deliver speeches and conduct the ceremony with dignity and respect.

Training is generally provided internally by funeral homes, or through specialised certificates. Some masters of ceremonies come from varied backgrounds: teaching, theatre, cultural events.

Salaries range between 50,000 and 70,000 CHF annually. Key skills: excellent oral expression, emotional management, sense of protocol and stage presence. Adaptability is crucial, as each ceremony is unique.

Technical and care professions

Technical funeral professions require specific skills and rigorous training. These professionals intervene directly in body preparation and funeral logistics. Their work, often invisible to the general public, is essential to the dignity of the deceased.

These functions require significant emotional resilience and absolute respect for sanitary and legal protocols. Precision, rigour and discretion are indispensable qualities for practising these demanding professions.

Professional training is mandatory for most of these positions. Employment prospects are good, as these technical skills are sought after by all companies in the sector.

Embalmer

The embalmer performs preservation and presentation care of the deceased. They practise embalming: disinfection, preservation and restoration of the body. Their work allows families to pay their respects in good conditions.

In Switzerland, the practice of embalming is regulated. The embalmer diploma is obtained mainly in France, then must be recognised by Swiss authorities. Training lasts approximately one year and includes practical placements. Basic medical training is often required.

Salaries vary between 60,000 and 85,000 CHF per year. Requirements are high: anatomical knowledge, technical rigour, psychological resilience and strict compliance with sanitary standards. The profession also requires delicacy and profound respect for the deceased.

Funeral service agent

The funeral service agent performs essential logistical tasks: body transport, placing in coffin, preparing the ceremony room and carrying the coffin. They also intervene for equipment installation and technical coordination of funerals.

Training generally involves a Federal VET Diploma (CFC) in funeral services or internal training. Some companies offer on-the-job apprenticeships, supervised by experienced professionals.

Salaries range between 45,000 and 60,000 CHF annually. The profile sought: good physical condition, discretion, respect for protocols and ability to work in a team. Punctuality and reliability are also crucial in this profession where each intervention is important.

Management and administration professions

Management and administration functions are indispensable to the proper functioning of a funeral company. These professionals ensure team coordination, financial management and relations with institutional partners.

They work behind the scenes but their role is strategic. They guarantee service quality, regulatory compliance and the company's sustainability. These positions suit profiles with skills in management, accounting or administration.

Career development prospects are interesting, particularly for those who wish to run their own funeral company or take over an existing structure.

Funeral home director

The funeral home director oversees all activity: team management, business development, relations with municipalities, hospitals and cemeteries. They supervise complex files and ensure the quality of service provided to families.

The function requires a Federal VET Diploma (CFC) in funeral services supplemented by solid field experience, or training in business management. Some directors come from career changes, after a career in other sectors.

Salaries vary between 75,000 and 110,000 CHF per year, depending on company size. Required skills: leadership, administrative and financial management, strategic sense and excellent knowledge of the Swiss funeral sector.

Funeral administrative assistant

The administrative assistant manages funeral files from A to Z: formalities with the civil registry, AVS declarations, contacts with insurance companies, invoicing and payment follow-up. They also handle telephone reception and administrative coordination.

Commercial or administrative training (Federal VET Diploma in commerce, for example) provides a good foundation. Additional training on the specificities of the funeral sector is often provided internally.

The average salary ranges between 50,000 and 65,000 CHF annually. Indispensable qualities: rigour, discretion, organisational skills and mastery of office tools. The ability to manage several files simultaneously is also essential.

Training and pathways in Switzerland

The reference training in Switzerland is the Federal VET Diploma (CFC) in funeral services, accessible through dual apprenticeship (3 years). This training covers all aspects of the profession: family support, administrative management, logistics and body care.

Several institutions offer continuing education and specialisations: ceremony management, embalming, funeral advisory. In French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland, vocational schools collaborate with companies to offer adapted pathways.

Career changes are possible, particularly through short courses or company placements. For certain specialised professions such as embalmer, training abroad (mainly in France) is necessary, followed by recognition in Switzerland.

Admission requirements vary according to training: minimum age, prior qualification, physical and psychological aptitudes. Continuing education is encouraged throughout one's career.

Essential qualities and skills

Funeral professions require particular soft skills. Empathy is paramount: understanding families' pain without being overwhelmed. Stress management and emotional resilience enable one to sustain oneself long-term in a demanding environment.

Discretion is a fundamental value of the sector. Each file, each family deserves respect and confidentiality. Active listening ability and patience are also essential for supporting loved ones in their decisions.

Regarding hard skills, administrative knowledge is indispensable: legal formalities, document management, coordination with institutions. Mastery of funeral protocols and sanitary rules is mandatory for technical professions.

Continuing education is crucial. The sector is evolving: digitalisation, new ecological practices, cultural and religious diversity. Professionals must adapt and regularly update their skills.

Professional testimonials

Sophie, 34, funeral adviser in Lausanne: "I discovered this profession after a career change. What motivates me is helping families honour their loved ones with dignity. Each file is unique. Listening and patience are my main tools. It's emotionally demanding, but deeply rewarding."

Marc, 42, embalmer in Geneva: "I completed my training in France before settling in Switzerland. My work allows families to pay their respects peacefully. Technical rigour is essential, but respect for the deceased guides each of my actions. It's a little-known but indispensable profession."

Nathalie, 38, master of ceremonies in Fribourg: "I have been conducting ceremonies for eight years. Each tribute is different. My role is to create a dignified and soothing moment for loved ones. Preparation is meticulous, but seeing families at peace after the ceremony gives full meaning to my work."

Finding employment in the funeral sector in Switzerland

To search for employment in the funeral sector, prioritise several channels. General job sites (jobs.ch, indeed.ch) regularly publish offers. Speculative applications to funeral homes are also effective, especially in small structures.

The Wolky funeral homes directory allows you to identify companies by region and contact them directly. Professional networking plays an important role: placements, recommendations and participation in sector events facilitate integration.

Career development prospects are real. With experience, a funeral adviser can become agency manager or director. Service agents can specialise in embalming. Continuing education opens many doors.

Do not hesitate to enquire with companies about their needs and internal training programmes. The sector is recruiting and values motivated and committed profiles.

The Swiss funeral sector offers varied career pathways, accessible at different training levels. From funeral adviser to embalmer, through to funeral home director, each profession requires specific skills and a genuine human vocation. Salaries, between 4,000 and 8,000 CHF monthly depending on function, reflect the technical nature and responsibility of these essential professions.

These professions are evolving with the digitalisation of the sector and the emergence of new needs. Training is developing in French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland, enabling motivated candidates to professionalise quickly. Empathy, rigour and respect constitute the fundamental qualities for supporting families during these difficult times.

Are you a funeral professional or do you run a funeral home? Discover how to list your establishment on Wolky and develop your visibility among Swiss families seeking trusted funeral services.