Nov 26, 2021
We’ve compiled this list of unique and distinctive gifts we think most funeral professionals would appreciate. There aren’t a lot of novelty gifts created for funeral professionals, so we went to work scouring the web to find the coolest funeral-related products. While some of these items are meant to bring laughter, others are thoughtful gifts you can give to show a mortician how much you appreciate them. Whether you’re shopping for your spouse, parent, sibling, or a co-worker, we have no doubt you’ll find something special on this list for the funeral director in your life. And if you’re secretly shopping for yourself, don’t worry, we’ll take it to the grave 😉
We’ve updated our Funeral Director Gift Guide for 2021 to replace out-of-stock items with brand new gift ideas you can get for the funeral director in your life.
Tired of having to explain again and again why you can’t attend a party or take an unplanned vacation? Let your T-shirt do the talking for you. This is a must for every funeral director’s wardrobe. We love the tongue-in-cheek way it conveys how much dedication and commitment is required to be a funeral director.
Porti-Boy Necklace Pendant
What funeral professional wouldn’t want an embalmer’s emblem in their jewelry collection? Show off your favorite piece of prep room equipment everywhere you go with this awesome Porti-Boy pendant. Not only will you be paying tribute to your profession, but you’ll also have a blast confusing people outside of the funeral profession who might think you’re wearing a tiny Margarita maker on around your neck.
We recommend exploring the TheBoutiqueBizarre Etsy page for other one-of-a-kind gifts for embalmers. From miniature prep rooms you can display on your desk to embalming fluid lapel pins, there are a lot of really cool novelty gifts you can find for funeral professionals.
Getting Grace DVD
From the moment you see the credits appear on different casket lids, Getting Grace hooks you. Within the first five minutes, you become immediately invested in the movie’s characters, setting and important themes. Getting Grace tells the story of a disaffected yet endearing funeral director who learns some very valuable lessons from a teenage girl with terminal cancer. The poignancy of the film, coupled its accurate portrayal of the death care profession, make this movie a rare gem that every funeral director should see. Since it was first released, many funeral professionals and funeral associations have rallied behind the film.
Now available on DVD and on online streaming platforms, Getting Grace gives funeral families the opportunity to watch a movie together and see their lives represented on screen for the first time. With sharp writing, compelling acting and an amazing story, Getting Grace is a movie that is likely to make you bust a gut laughing at some parts and wiping away tears at others. It truly is the perfect blend of humor and heart. We are certain that once you have “gotten Grace”, you won’t soon forget her.
Funeral Director Casual Canvas Shoes
Headstones? Check. Caskets? Check. Flower sprays? Check. It’s official…these shoes are truly to die for! Okay, bad jokes aside, we love the combination of a comfortable canvas shoe with the imagery of funeral service. While you may not be able to wear these at funeral services, they provide the perfect slip-on solution for when it’s finally time to ditch your heels. (Like the design but not the shoes? Search the StylishPros Etsy page for more funeral director products, such as handbags, backpacks and hoodie dresses.)
Give your funeral home the snow globe treatment! What a cool (and inexpensive!) gift idea for that unshakable funeral director in your life. You can personalize the snow globe with any funeral home name and you can even customize the appearance of the little funeral director character!
More Info – Male Funeral Director Snow Globe
More Info – Female Funeral Director Snow Globe
Funeral Director Mom Mug
Take pride in your ability to take on any challenge with this awesome coffee mug that celebrates funeral director mothers.
Casket Business Card Holder
Help a funeral director bring some style and organization to his or her desk with this nifty Casket Business Card Holder. The National Museum of Funeral History, which is dedicated to preserving the time-honored traditions and historical artifacts of the funeral profession, sells the casket business card holder in several different colors and styles, including antique gold, antique silver, black and copper wood (pictured above)
Life Magazine – Kennedy Funeral Issue
This is a must-have collector’s item for any funeral director. The 1963 issue of Life Magazine features photos and coverage of the historic funeral for President John F. Kennedy. Whether you display it proudly on your funeral home coffee table or keep it tucked away in your private collection, this is a vintage treasure we doubt you will regret purchasing for yourself. (Note, be sure to check Etsy if Amazon sells out of this item).
Last Responder Hoodie
Want to make the funeral director in your life’s heart grow fonder? Get them a hoodie that recognizes them as a last responder. There are a lot of cool ‘Last Responder’ products available through both Amazon and Etsy, but we picked this one for our list because we love the look and design of the hoodie.
How the Business of Death Saved My Life By Caleb Wilde
Inspire the funeral director in your life with this long-anticipated read from Funeral Director and popular blogger, Caleb Wilde. There’s a reason why Time Magazine recently referred to this book as a “must read” – it is a profound and illuminating book on mortality and the death care profession. Caleb draws from personal stories and reflects on his experiences working as a funeral director to reveal how understanding death can help us to live more enriching and fulfilled lives.
Hearse Flip Flops
These off the wall flip flops are perfect for the next time the funeral director in your life is leading a procession down to the beach.
Mortician Christmas Ornament
Show your favorite mortician how much they mean to you with this thoughtful and elegant Christmas tree ornament that pays tribute to their life’s calling.
Coffin-Shaped Shelf
It doesn’t have to be Halloween to break out the coffin-shaped décor. For fans of gothic style, this awesome “oddities shelf” adds a wonderful conversation piece to any room.
Funeral Director Antique Tools Wrist Watch
For directors who are fascinated by the history and progression of funeral service, this distinctive wristwatch makes the perfect gift. The old embalming instruments on the watch face invite you to reflect upon a much different time in funeral service.
National Museum of Funeral History Coffin USB Drives
Both cemeteries and desktop computers often have storage space problems overtime. Fortunately, funeral directors can bury at least one of those problems with these clever casket-shaped USB drives. The purchase will also allow you to support the National Museum of Funeral History, which is dedicated to preserving the time-honored traditions and historical artifacts of the funeral profession.
Speaking of the Dead by Chelsea Tolman
The latest book to be published about the work of funeral service professionals comes from one of our favorite funeral writers, Chelsea L. Tolman (aka “The mbalmergirl”). We’ve been long-time fans of Chelsea’s blog and really appreciate her poignant writing style. Just about everything we have read by her has moved us and we’re so happy that her incredible stories are now all contained inside her new book, Speaking of the Dead. As book reviewer, Jocelyn Soriano, recently wrote, Chelsea’s novel is “about the most touching encounters with real people who are undergoing the toughest times.” Truly a meaningful gift for anyone on your Christmas list this year.
Hearse Wagon Wood and Metal DIY Set
Forget building model airplanes or putting ships in bottles, this DIY Hearse Wagon will let you embrace your crafty side while paying homage to the history of funeral service. Our favorite part is the coffin visible through the glass wagon. What mortician wouldn’t want to display the finished product on their desk while enjoying full bragging rights for building it?
Hearse Lapel Pin
Keep your life’s calling close to your heart with this tasteful and versatile hearse lapel pin.
Human Organ Cooler
Hearse Cookie Cutter
“Death by Chocolate” cookies will never be the same again. This awesome hearse-shaped cookie cutter allows funeral directors to add their signature touch to everyone’s favorite baked good. More Info.
Could there be a more perfect coffee mug for your prep room? More Info.
The Greatest People I Never Knew by Eric M. Daniels
This 5-star rated memoir by a funeral director recounts how the author was profoundly affected by the lives of many of the people served by his funeral home. The essays found within this novel are sure to inspire the director in your life to ponder and share about their own experiences in funeral service.
Six Feet Under: The Complete Series
There has never been a better time to revisit this Emmy award-winning HBO show, which takes place inside a family-owned funeral home. The show’s deep exploration into the meaning of life and death still resonates today as much as it did when it first aired 15 years ago. You’ll be amazed at the things you will pick up that you may not have noticed on your first viewing. (For example, did you know that the show writers predicted the Green Burial movement with their portrayal of Lisa’s death and burial?) This Christmas is the perfect time to get reacquainted with the Fisher family and give this rightfully celebrated show a second watch.
Coffin-shaped Cooler
Funeral directors can bring some coolness to any party, Halloween-themed or otherwise, with this funky coffin-shaped cooler.
Mortician Gift Box
Why pick just one gift for your favorite funeral director when you can get four with this awesome Etsy-find? The set includes “Embalming Fluid” Loose Black Tea in Velvet Bag, “All Men are Cremated Equal” candle, Undertaker matchbox and Last Responder pin.
Skull Cocktail Picks
Want your alcohol beverage with a splash of the dark side? Make no bones about it with these great skull cocktail picks! You can also outfit your bar with a skull cocktail strainer, corkscrew and bar spoon
Funeral Service Heartbeat T-Shirt
Seriously, how cool is this T-shirt design? Most of the shirts you see created for funeral directors all have the same cliched jokes on them. I put the fun in funeral, the last one to let you down, party like a mortician and grab a cold one etc. This one doesn’t need words or lame jokes – it’s just the perfect visual representation of a service-hearted funeral director. Finally, a casual T-shirt that allows you take pride in your profession rather than make fun of it. More Info.
A Funeral Director’s Prayer Plaque
Featuring a unique scroll design, this desktop item makes an excellent gift for funeral directors and serves as a great way to thank them during one of life’s most difficult times.
Great Gift Idea Suggested by a Director: The Heated Circulation Enhancing Lower Leg Massager.
What are some other great gift ideas for funeral professionals? Leave us a comment and share what other items you think directors would love to receive!
About The Author
Jess Farren (Fowler)
Jess Farren (Fowler) is a Public Relations Specialist and Staff Writer who has been a part of the ASD team since 2003. Jess manages ASD’s company blog and has been published in several funeral trade magazines. She has written articles on a variety of subjects including communication, business planning, technology, marketing and funeral trends. You can contact Jess directly at Jess@myASD.com
