Women now make up a growing segment of funeral directors and death‑care professionals. In fact, 74.5% of mortuary school graduates are women, according to the American Board of Funeral Service Education’s 2024 annual report.

However, many women still encounter challenges in leadership visibility, confidence-building and work-life balance. Access to structured professional resources helps women advance their careers, deepen their expertise and strengthen their ability to serve families with confidence. These resources also reinforce a more inclusive, sustainable future for the whole profession.

Mentorship and leadership support for women in the funeral profession.

One of the most encouraging trends in the past several years has been the growth of organizations and events specifically designed to support women in the funeral profession and address their unique experiences.

The Death Care Collective (DCC), which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, has become a powerful space for connection and community. One thing the DCC does really well is offer opportunities for peer support — whether that’s sharing experiences, seeking advice, finding mentorship or simply having a strong professional network. It truly excels at creating a sense of belonging and ongoing connection. Listen to Erin Creger discuss the Death Care Collective in our delightful chat.

Another organization making a meaningful impact is Funeral Women Lead, founded by Lisa Baue. This group brings an important focus on wellness, balance and sustainability in a demanding profession. Many women in funeral service balance leadership roles alongside significant responsibilities at home, and Funeral Women Lead creates space for honest conversations about how to navigate both successfully while maintaining personal well-being.

Conferences and events for women in funeral service.

The NFDA’s Professional Women’s Conference is a long-standing and highly valuable event. It offers a strong mix of networking, continuing education and professional development, featuring both industry leaders and nationally recognized speakers. It’s a great opportunity for women to build skills while expanding their professional network. Read more about our experience at this outstanding conference.

We’re also seeing growth at the state level, with associations in places like Wisconsin and Oklahoma launching their own professional women’s conferences. These provide localized opportunities for connection and leadership development. They can also be a more affordable and accessible option for women who are early in their careers and may not have the professional development or travel budget to attend a national event.

And, of course, I’m especially excited about Momentum, a women’s leadership accelerator we’re launching in partnership with Kates-Boylston Publications. The accelerator is designed specifically for women in funeral service, cemetery and cremation leadership.

Research shows that women are often coached on people leadership skills, while men are more frequently developed in business and financial acumen. That development gap becomes a challenge as women pursue leadership positions that require skills they haven’t had opportunities to develop. Momentum is designed to bridge that gap by helping prepare women for executive-level leadership and long-term career advancement.

Together, these organizations and events are creating stronger pathways for connection, growth and leadership for women across the funeral profession.

How women can support each other in funeral service.

One of the most important ways women can support each other in funeral service is by adopting a “grow the table” mindset instead of a scarcity mindset. In professions that have historically been male-dominated, it can sometimes feel like there’s only room for one woman at the table — creating unnecessary competition between women. But that mindset ultimately holds everyone back.

What we know from decades of organizational research is that groups with minority representation that focus on collaboration, inclusion and lifting others up tend to be more successful and more effective overall. When women intentionally create space for one another, it strengthens not only individual careers, but the profession as a whole.

That support can take many forms: inviting other women into important conversations, advocating for their ideas, offering mentorship and coaching or providing meaningful feedback that helps them grow. It also means recognizing and celebrating each other’s contributions in one-on-one conversations as well as publicly.

At its core, it’s about being the kind of colleague you wish you had earlier in your career — supportive, generous and committed to helping others succeed. 

How Homesteaders supports women in funeral service.

Homesteaders is unique in the depth of our commitment to the funeral profession. Having been with the company for more than a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how invested we are in supporting the long-term success of funeral professionals across the board — not just as a preneed provider, but as a true partner to the industry.

That commitment extends to developing tools, training and resources that help all funeral professionals grow and succeed, including women. Internally, Homesteaders does a strong job of recognizing talent at every level and investing in people’s development, regardless of gender.

At the same time, we recognize that women in funeral service have unique opportunities and challenges, and that there is a growing need for more intentional support. That’s why we’ve been an early supporter of organizations that directly benefit women in the profession, like the Death Care Collective and Funeral Women Lead, and an annual sponsor of the NFDA’s Professional Women’s Conference. This year, we are also partnering with Kates-Boylston Publications to launch Momentum.

I’m incredibly proud to help lead an organization that not only supports women within our own company but is also actively investing in the advancement of women across the funeral profession.

Whether you’re looking to advance your career, grow your business or find support and encouragement, I hope this blog post resonated with you and provided ideas and insights as you move forward in your funeral service career.