End of Life Careers

Roles

Discover the wide range of careers connected to death, dying, loss, care, and what comes next. See what each role involves, how to get started, and where it can lead.

27
careers
6
fields
19
with a training pathway
50
credentials across them
After Loss Professionals Explore career paths for professionals who guide families through estate tasks, bills, and grief support after a death. No degree needed Under a year After-loss & legacy Anatomical Gift Program Coordinator Explore a career as an anatomical gift program coordinator. Learn about body donation programs and how to support medical education with compassion. Bachelor's degree 2 to 4 years Funeral & deathcare operations Bereavement Counselor Explore the path to becoming a bereavement counselor, including required skills, education, job outlook, and career insights. Master's degree 5 years or more Companionship & grief support Biohazard Cleanup Specialist Explore how to become a biohazard cleanup specialist. Learn about training, job duties, and how to help families restore their homes after trauma or loss. No degree needed Under a year Death investigation & forensics Coroner Learn what a coroner does, how to become one, and what training is required. Explore this key role in death investigations and public service. Varies by jurisdiction 2 to 4 years Death investigation & forensics Crematory Operator See what crematory operators do day to day, the certification and safety standards involved, and how alkaline hydrolysis differs from flame cremation. Short training Under a year Funeral & deathcare operations Daily Money Manager Help older adults, people managing an illness, and families after a death keep on top of bills, paperwork, insurance claims, and the everyday financial admin nobody warns them about. No degree needed Under a year After-loss & legacy Death Doula Discover how to become a death doula and support individuals and families through the final stages of life with care and compassion. Short training Under a year Companionship & grief support Digital Legacy Specialist Learn what a digital legacy specialist does, from organizing accounts and passwords to memorializing profiles, and whether the work suits your skills. No degree needed Under a year After-loss & legacy Embalmer Learn what it takes to start a career as an embalmer, from training and licensing to daily responsibilities and career growth opportunities. Associate degree 2 to 4 years Funeral & deathcare operations Estate & Trust Tax Professional Help individuals, estates, trusts, fiduciaries, and families understand and meet the tax responsibilities that arise during estate planning and after a death. Bachelor's degree 2 to 4 years Estate, financial & legacy planning Estate Planning Attorney Help individuals and families create legally effective plans for incapacity, death, inheritance, taxes, trusts, and the transfer of property. Doctorate or professional degree 5 years or more Estate, financial & legacy planning Fantasy Funeral Planner Learn how to become a fantasy funeral planner and design unique, meaningful, and creative send-offs that honor each life with imagination and heart. No degree needed Under a year Funeral & deathcare operations Financial Planner Help individuals and families make informed decisions about money, retirement, insurance, taxes, estates, and the financial legacy they want to leave behind. Bachelor's degree 2 to 4 years Estate, financial & legacy planning Forensic Pathologist Explore the forensic pathologist career path, including education, daily duties, and how these medical experts uncover the truth after death. Doctorate or professional degree 5 years or more Death investigation & forensics Funeral Director Understand what a funeral director actually does day to day, the licensing and training the role requires, and how to decide whether the work suits you. Associate degree 2 to 4 years Funeral & deathcare operations Funeral Home Manager Learn what running a funeral home involves, from staffing and scheduling to caring for grieving families, plus the experience the role really asks for. Associate degree 5 years or more Funeral & deathcare operations Funeral Service Apprentice or Intern Start your path in funeral service with an apprentice or intern role and gain hands-on experience under the guidance of licensed professionals. Associate degree 1 to 2 years Funeral & deathcare operations Hospice & Palliative Care Chaplaincy Explore the path to becoming a chaplain in hospice or palliative care, offering emotional and spiritual support at the end of life. Master's degree 5 years or more Clinical & bedside care Hospice Nurse Explore the role of a hospice nurse, including job duties, training paths, and what it takes to provide end-of-life care with compassion. Associate degree 2 to 4 years Clinical & bedside care Music Thanatology Learn how to become a music thanatologist and bring comfort to the dying through live harp and vocal music at the bedside. Certificate 2 to 4 years Clinical & bedside care Palliative Care Social Worker Learn how palliative care social workers support patients with serious illness and discover the steps to begin this meaningful career. Master's degree 5 years or more Clinical & bedside care Personal Historian Help individuals capture, preserve, and share their life stories through writing, audio, or video as a personal historian. No degree needed Under a year After-loss & legacy Planned Giving Advisor Help donors, families, nonprofits, and professional advisors structure charitable gifts that reflect a person's values, financial goals, and long-term legacy. Bachelor's degree 2 to 4 years Estate, financial & legacy planning Preneed and Advance Planning Specialist Discover how to become a preneed and advance planning specialist, helping families prepare for the future with confidence and care. No degree needed Under a year After-loss & legacy Transport & Removal Technician Learn what transport and removal technicians do when caring for someone after death, the temperament the work asks for, and where the role fits in funeral care. No degree needed Under a year Funeral & deathcare operations Trust & Estate Officer Administer trusts and estates, carry out fiduciary responsibilities, manage beneficiary relationships, and help turn estate plans into action. Bachelor's degree 2 to 4 years Estate, financial & legacy planning Suggest a career Is there a role we should cover? Tell us about it.