Funeral Director Apprentice

SCI Shared Resources•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

Provides customer service to client families following the loss of a loved one, delivering exemplary, personalized, and professional service. Learns how a Funeral Director implements families’ or legal representatives’ choices regarding funerals, final disposition, and memorialization, and interacts with families to fulfill their death-care needs. The apprentice learns to arrange and conduct funeral and memorial ceremonies, create funeral contracts, handle legal documents and payments, confirm authorizations, verify identification and embalming authorization, and arrange interment or cremation. The role also supports care of the deceased, funeral services and visitations, aftercare, office administration, facility and vehicle maintenance, and inventory. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions, with limited local or multiple-location travel and travel up to 25%. Professional dress is required when interacting with families.

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, at least 6 months of experience in a funeral home, crematory, or cemetery.
Must meet all licensing requirements in the applicable state or province as required by law and the relevant state board.
Valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of computers and 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 identification of the deceased 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, and coordinating or assisting with services and visitations.
Deliver flowers, caskets, urns, photos, and other personal keepsakes or mementos; set up, care for, and store chairs and related items.
Assist with services by coordinating parking, ushering, driving funeral vehicles, and assisting at chapel, church, and cemetery services.
Participate in special functions.
Provide aftercare in the absence of a Family Service Counselor, including delivering 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 service, cremation, maintenance, and other documents and data-entry records accurately.
Assist with general office duties, including preparing reports as needed.
Assist with maintenance of vehicles, facilities, and property.
Receive funeral supplies, including caskets, and place them into inventory.
Ensure refreshments are available where allowed by law.
Perform other duties as assigned.