Funeral Director Apprentice

SCI Shared Resources•Greensboro, NC

About The Position

Provides customer service to client families following the loss of a loved one, offering personalized and professional support as they address their funeral and death-care needs. Learns how a Funeral Director implements choices made by families or their legal representatives regarding funeral services, final disposition, and memorialization. The role includes learning to arrange and conduct services, prepare contracts and documents, care for the deceased respectfully, assist with funeral operations, and provide aftercare when a Family Service Counselor is unavailable. The position works indoors and outdoors in varying seasons and weather conditions, includes limited local or multi-location travel, and requires travel up to 25%. Professional dress is required when interacting with families. Work may extend beyond standard hours as needed. The role involves frequent standing and sitting for periods of up to six hours per day, frequent stair climbing, and manual dexterity for paperwork and use of office equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or general equivalency degree.
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, at least 6 months of experience in a funeral home, crematory, or cemetery.
Meet applicable state or provincial licensing requirements as prescribed by law.
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 professionally and in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Learn to negotiate and prepare acceptable funeral contracts.
Handle contracts, legal documents, and collection of monies or insurance according to company policies.
Inform client families about available veteran recognition and services and ensure selected services are delivered.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements.
Verify identification of the deceased and authorization for embalming.
Learn to arrange interment or cremation of human remains.
Follow 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 delivering flowers and personal items, and setting up, caring for, and storing chairs and other items.
Assist at services by coordinating parking, ushering, driving funeral vehicles, and helping at chapel, church, and cemetery services.
Participate in special functions.
Provide aftercare when a Family Service Counselor is absent, including delivering documentation, stationery, information about insurance, health benefits and pensions, and pre-arrangement information for next of kin.
Share potential pre-need referrals with Family Service Counselors.
Complete and accurately prepare documents related to services, cremations, maintenance, and other data entry.
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 permitted by law.
Perform other duties as assigned.