Funeral Director Apprentice

Service Corporation International•Jacksonville, FL

10d

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 families’ or legal representatives’ choices regarding funeral arrangements, 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, prepare contracts and legal documents, coordinate interment or cremation, and assist with funeral services and aftercare. The role also includes caring for the deceased respectfully, completing service-related records and data entry, assisting with office and property duties, and meeting company and regulatory requirements. The position requires work indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions, limited local or multi-location travel, and travel up to 25%. Professional dress is required when interacting with families. Work may extend beyond standard hours as needed.

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.
Meet all 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.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather conditions.
Ability to travel up to 25%.
Ability to work beyond standard hours as needed.
Physical effort requiring manual dexterity, including paperwork, calculators, computers, and phone usage.
Frequent stair climbing and periods of standing or sitting of up to 6 hours per day.

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 according to company policies.
Inform client families about available veteran recognition services 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 assistance.
Deliver flowers, caskets, urns, photographs, and other personal keepsakes or mementos to client families.
Set up chairs and ensure their proper care and storage.
Participate in special functions.
Provide aftercare in the absence of a Family Service Counselor, 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.
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 allowed by law.
Perform other duties as assigned.