Funeral Assistant

Park Lawn Corporation • Loves Park, IL

2d

About The Position

The Funeral Assistant serves as a compassionate and professional representative of the funeral home, supporting families and guests throughout visitation, funeral, memorial, and reception services. The role helps create a welcoming environment, prepares facilities for services, and assists guests to deliver a respectful and exceptional experience during a family’s time of loss.

The position also supports first-call removals and transfers, preparation-room operations as permitted by applicable regulations, funeral services and processions, parking and valet operations, and community events. The assistant collaborates with funeral directors and other staff, maintains confidentiality and dignity, and performs additional duties as assigned. No prior experience is required. Compensation is $16.00–$18.00 per hour based on experience.

Requirements

• No prior experience required.
• Ability to meet company vehicle insurance requirements.
• Valid state-issued driver's license in good standing and an acceptable driving record.
• Fluent ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Maintain a professional appearance and conduct, and perform work courteously in accordance with employer requirements.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers.
• Demonstrate empathy, tact, and patience with families and guests in emotionally charged situations; respond actively to their requests and handle complaints professionally.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, exercise good judgment, and work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to participate in community involvement to support market growth.
• Regularly climb, sit, stand, bend, and kneel; frequently lift up to 25 pounds; duties may also require reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to work outdoors when duties require, including exposure to inclement weather, extreme temperatures, uneven ground, dust, gas, or fumes.
• May be exposed to chemicals and bloodborne pathogens; exposure risk is considered low.
• Overtime may sometimes be necessary or required.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous experience in funeral service, healthcare, transportation, customer service, hospitality, mortuary operations, emergency services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience driving large vehicles, vans, or professional transportation vehicles is desirable.
• Experience working directly with the public in a professional setting is a plus.
• Bilingual ability is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and assist client families, guests, clergy, and vendors; direct visitors to service locations, registers, reception areas, and restrooms.
• Distribute memorial materials and service programs, answer questions, and respond compassionately to the needs of families and guests.
• Prepare chapels, visitation rooms, reception areas, and public spaces; keep guest areas clean, organized, stocked, and presentable.
• Receive and arrange floral tributes and memorial displays; set up refreshment stations and assist with post-service cleanup and facility restoration.
• Represent the funeral home positively in the community and help maintain a respectful, dignified environment.
• Collaborate with funeral directors and staff to support seamless service delivery.
• Respond to first-call removals and transfers from residences, hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, medical examiner offices, and other locations.
• Safely and respectfully transfer deceased individuals into the funeral home's care; follow identification and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Operate removal vehicles in accordance with company policies and applicable laws; assist with transfers between funeral homes, crematories, cemeteries, airports, and care centers.
• Participate in an on-call rotation for after-hours, weekend, and holiday removal services.
• Assist licensed embalmers and funeral directors with preparation-room operations as permitted by state and local regulations, including dressing, casketing, cosmetology setup, and positioning.
• Maintain preparation-room cleanliness, sanitation, and organization; clean and disinfect equipment, vehicles, stretchers, and workspaces; stock supplies and report shortages.
• Assist with receiving caskets, urns, vaults, and other merchandise.
• Assist at funerals, memorial services, visitations, graveside services, and receptions; stage vehicles, escort families and guests, and support service setup and breakdown.
• Direct vehicle traffic and coordinate parking; help guests enter and exit parking areas safely and monitor parking flow.
• Provide valet parking, safely operate client and company vehicles, account for vehicle keys and personal property, and retrieve vehicles courteously and promptly.
• Organize and stage vehicles for funeral processions; provide procession instructions and route information; lead or escort processions when assigned and authorized, maintaining safety and procession integrity.
• Assist with special events and community outreach activities, and complete other duties and projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Financial assistance programs supporting education and development in industry-related subjects.
• Health and welfare plans and savings account options.
• 401(k) and Roth retirement plan options for full-time and part-time employees, with a company match.
• Vacation, personal days, and sick days based on role.
• Employee discounts on services, merchandise, and property.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed