SOC 6138 Caring personal service occupations

Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants Salary

Median salary £27,020 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £27,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants, £30,894 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -21% versus the national average. Experienced undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants (top 25%) earn over £32,724.

About this role

Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants manage the care and preparation of deceased persons, support bereaved families and operate mortuary and crematorium facilities. They handle sensitive work with dignity and professionalism.

Key responsibilities

Collecting and transporting deceased persons
Preparing bodies for viewing, burial or cremation
Supporting bereaved families with practical arrangements
Operating cremation equipment and maintaining records
Maintaining mortuary facilities and ensuring hygiene standards

Qualifications and entry routes

National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) Diploma in Funeral Directing or equivalent. Mortuary technicians may hold APT (Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology) qualifications. On-the-job training is common for assistants.

Career outlook

Steady demand — the funeral sector is one of the most stable industries. Increasing demand for non-traditional funeral services and environmental options is changing the sector.

Key skills

Sensitivity and empathy Practical care of deceased Communication with bereaved Documentation Composure

Common industries

Funeral directors
Crematoria
Hospital mortuaries
Coroner's offices
Local authority cemeteries

Data coverage

SOC code 6138

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 17,000

Median Salary

£27,020

Mean Salary

£25,578

Jobs (000s)

17k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £17,616Median: £27,020P75: £32,724

P10: --P25: £18kMedian: £27kP75: £33kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£17,616

0-2 years

Mid Level

£17,616

3-7 years

Senior

£32,724

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +86% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +37.2%Real growth: +0.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: -2.8%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£27,020

Full-time Only

£30,894

Full-time premium: +£3,874

Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants salary: common questions

How much do undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants earn in the UK?

Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants earn a median of £30,894 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £17,616 and £32,724.

Is £30,894 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants?

Entry-level undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £17,616, though this varies by employer and region.

Have undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants pay has risen from £21,963 to £30,894 — +41% in cash terms, or +2.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants?

Male undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants earn a median £26,591 and female undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants £27,347 — a gap of +3.0% in 2025 in women’s favour.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).