Funeral Director Apprentice
About The Position
Provides customer service to client families following the loss of a loved one, delivering personalized and professional support. Learns how a Funeral Director implements family or legal representative choices regarding funeral arrangements, final disposition, and memorialization, and interacts with families to meet their death care needs. The apprentice learns to arrange and conduct funeral and memorial ceremonies, create funeral contracts, handle legal and financial documentation, arrange interment or cremation, and ensure services comply with company policies and regulatory requirements. The role also includes respectful care of the deceased, assistance with funeral services and visitations, aftercare support, office and data-entry duties, and maintenance of vehicles, facilities, and property.
Requirements
- High school diploma or general equivalency degree (or diploma).
- Completion of or current enrollment in a degree training program at an accredited mortuary college or technical school specializing in funeral service or mortuary science.
- Typically, a minimum of 6 months of experience in a funeral home, crematory, or cemetery.
- Meet all licensing requirements in the applicable state or province as required by law and prescribed by the relevant state board.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Knowledge of computers and some software, including MS Office products.
- High level of compassion and integrity.
- Good communication skills.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Ability to multitask and set priorities.
Responsibilities
- Learn to arrange and conduct funeral and memorial ceremonies in a professional, organized, and caring manner consistent with company policies and procedures.
- Learn to negotiate and create acceptable funeral contracts.
- Handle contracts, legal documents, and collection of monies or insurance in accordance with company policies.
- Inform client families about special recognition and services available for veterans and ensure selected services are delivered.
- Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements.
- Verify the deceased’s identification and authorization for embalming.
- Learn to arrange interment or cremation of human remains.
- Adhere to company and regulatory requirements.
- Care for the deceased respectfully, including removals and transfers, lifting, dressing, and casketing.
- Coordinate and assist with funeral services and visitations, including parking, ushering, driving funeral vehicles, chapel and church services, and cemetery services.
- Deliver flowers, caskets, urns, photographs, and other personal keepsakes or mementos to client families.
- Set up chairs and ensure their proper care and storage after use.
- Participate in special functions.
- Provide aftercare when a Family Service Counselor is absent, including delivery of documentation and stationery and information about insurance, health benefits, pensions, and pre-arrangements for next of kin.
- Share potential pre-need referrals with Family Service Counselors.
- Prepare and complete documents and data entry related to services, cremations, maintenance, and other activities accurately.
- Assist with general office duties, including preparing reports as needed.
- Assist with maintenance of vehicles, facilities, and property.
- Receive caskets and other funeral home supplies and place them into inventory.
- Ensure refreshments are available where allowed by law.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
