Funeral Director/Embalmer

Service Corporation International•New York, NY

About The Position

Compassionately facilitates funeral arrangement discussions with deceased next of kin and presides over visitation, funeral, and graveside services in accordance with family wishes, company expectations, and applicable laws. May perform embalming responsibilities. As the licensed Funeral Director, is responsible for compliance with mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations within the funeral establishment(s). The role includes receiving or initiating calls with next of kin, arranging appointments, facilitating arrangement conferences, discussing available benefits, and coordinating funeral, cemetery, crematory, and merchandise options. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services, presides over services, checks that arrangements meet contractual requirements and family expectations, and may help plan events and create memorial products. Embalming duties may include verifying identification and authorization, embalming and restoring human remains, preparing and dressing the deceased, maintaining the preparation room, disposing of hazardous waste, and managing supplies. The position also includes general operational responsibilities, regulatory compliance, and other assigned duties.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
Current Funeral Director and Embalmer dual license in the practicing state.
Valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving record, required to operate company-owned vehicles.
Ability to reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, learn from experience, and apply learning to new situations.
Process- and results-oriented, with motivation to advance projects by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Positive attitude, self-motivation, and drive to continually advance understanding of the industry and business.
Ability to build professional and trusting business relationships.
Professional written and verbal communication skills.
Public speaking skills and ability to influence and gain consensus.
Proficiency using databases in automated processes and proficiency with MS Office.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather, and wear professional business attire when in contact with families.
Ability to sit or stand for frequent, continuous periods of up to six hours per day and frequently climb stairs.
Manual dexterity for paperwork, calculators, computers, and phone use.
Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps.
Availability may be needed outside normal business hours; working nights and weekends is frequently necessary.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive or initiate calls to the deceased’s next of kin, obtain or confirm contact information, discuss needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and send confirmations.
May perform removals or transfers, care for the deceased respectfully, and update removal status in company software.
Greet next of kin and facilitate arrangement conferences, assessing needs and discussing available insurance benefits and services or merchandise.
Transition arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor; may perform those responsibilities in their absence.
Review and authorize revisions to merchandise and service contracts.
Confirm authorization for service arrangements and preside over visitation, funeral, and graveside services in accordance with company standards and family wishes.
Attend graveside services included in the purchase agreement and be present when the casket is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault; verify personal belongings are removed as arranged.
Inspect the deceased and service arrangements, make or communicate adjustments, and initiate corrective action as needed.
Interact with families and guests to fulfill death-care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan events, including arranging resources such as music, flowers, and catering; prepare event rooms and clean and restore them afterward.
Produce memorial materials, which may include scanning photos, ordering memorabilia or stationery, creating presentations, writing obituaries, and creating online memorials.
May perform attendant duties such as parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier, and may represent the location at community or charity events.
Verify identification and embalming authorization; clean and embalm bodies, perform restorations, style hair, apply cosmetics, dress the deceased, and complete other preparation as required.
Verify the casket and lining according to contract, dress the casket, lay the deceased, and update status in company software.
Maintain the preparation room, clean equipment, properly dispose of hazardous waste, promote a safe work environment, and inventory and reorder supplies.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations; seek guidance, manage assignments and priorities, and take on additional work as requested or assigned.