An undertaker is a professional who is involved in the business of funeral rites. They are responsible for preparing dead bodies for burial or cremation, and assisting families with all aspects of funeral arrangements. Some of the tasks that an undertaker may perform include embalming, burial or cremation, planning a wake, selecting a coffin or urn, and helping with the details of the funeral service. In the UK, no formal license is required to become an undertaker, but there are national trade organizations such as the British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD), the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), and the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) .

The term "undertaker" is often used interchangeably with "funeral director" or "mortician". In addition to preparing the body for burial or cremation, a funeral director may also help families with paperwork, such as obtaining death certificates and arranging for transportation of the body.

In some contexts, the term "undertaker" may also be used more broadly to refer to someone who takes on a risky business venture or who manages a business. However, in the context of funeral services, an undertaker specifically refers to a professional who prepares the dead for burial and manages funerals.