The Complete Guide to Becoming A Funeral Attendant

I was torn between funeral service and nursing, and this book helped me see the funeral attendant role clearly. Chapter 1 especially - the breakdown of what you actually do from setup to teardown gave me a real picture I couldn't get from job listings. I docked one star because I wanted even more detail on the emotional toll, but overall it's a solid reality check.

The salary chapter was the most useful part for me. It gave actual numbers instead of vague ranges, which is rare. I didn't love the writing style - it felt a bit dry in places - but the self-assessment checklist in Chapter 2 is worth the price alone if you're genuinely unsure whether this job fits your personality.

I appreciated that this didn't try to talk me into the career. It listed the hard parts honestly - the physical labor, the early mornings, the emotional weight - which is more than I got from any other source. The training comparison table was helpful too. I'm still deciding, but now I know what questions to ask at a funeral home.

This is the book I wish I'd had in high school. It covers everything: what the job really involves, what you'll earn, how to get your foot in the door with zero experience. The day-in-the-life chapter is worth reading twice - it's so specific and honest. If you're even vaguely considering this career, read this before you spend money on any degree or certificate.

I've been a hospital aide for three years and was curious about moving into funeral service. The chapter on breaking in gave me a concrete list of steps I can actually take this month, which is more than any career counselor ever gave me. The tone is grounded, not cheesy. I only wish the reviews section were longer - I would've liked to hear from more real workers in the field.

The book is informative and I learned a lot about the actual duties, especially the setup and teardown work which I hadn't thought about. It felt a little repetitive in the middle chapters, and I found the salary numbers lower than I expected, which was a bit disappointing but probably realistic. Good for an initial overview, not the final word.

I bought this because my son said he wanted to be a funeral director, and I wanted to understand the starting point. The book gave me a clear picture of what a funeral attendant does and how it differs from a director. It's a bit basic for someone who's already done research, but for a beginner it's a great first step. I appreciated the honest tone - no hype.

Chapter 1 alone made this worth it. The detail about the physical work - lifting, transporting, setting up chairs and flowers - was something I never read anywhere else. It's not the glamorous version of the job, but it's the real one. The self-assessment checklist helped me realize I'm better suited for behind-the-scenes work than direct family interaction, which saved me from a bad career choice.