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

The night before her send-off at Gwent Crematorium, in Croesyceiliog, funeral director Kirsty Sailes bought 72 of the beef and tomato variety for mourners.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

"He was giving breakdowns of what his actions were - he's got to see the solicitor, he's got to see the funeral director and he's making arrangements," says North.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 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

Next to it was the funeral director, a little man in a ridiculous getup, and an awkward, embarrassed-looking old man.

From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus