funeral director

American  

noun

1. a person, usually a licensed embalmer, who supervises or conducts the preparation of the dead for burial and directs or arranges funerals.

2. a person who owns or operates a funeral home.

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funeral director British  

noun

1. an undertaker

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Etymology

Origin of funeral director

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

However, membership is voluntary, and the funeral director that dealt with Ronald is not a member of either organisation.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Hiemer said he and his funeral director spent months trying to persuade Berlin politicians to let him return his mother’s remains for burial in her hometown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

He’d lost his job as a funeral director and was living out of a van, draining his savings, and now he found himself stranded in the desert.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

Over the past decade, she has been an embalmer, funeral director, hospice worker, and end-of-life therapist.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

A funeral director who had been recommended by the lawyer.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz