Funeral Director/Embalmer

Service Corporation International•Springfield, IL

1d•$25 - $32

About The Position

The Funeral Director/Embalmer compassionately facilitates funeral arrangement discussions with the deceased’s next of kin and presides over visitation, funeral, and graveside services according to family wishes, company expectations, and applicable laws. The role may include embalming and is responsible for compliance with mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations at the funeral establishment. The position receives or initiates calls with next of kin, gathers information, schedules arrangement appointments, and leads arrangement conferences. It discusses available insurance and benefits, promotes funeral, cemetery, crematory, and related merchandise and services, and reviews and authorizes contract revisions. The Funeral Director/Embalmer may also perform removals and transfers, and may assume Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor duties when needed. The role directs services as master of ceremonies, confirms authorization for arrangements, checks that services match contractual arrangements and family expectations, and responds to family requests. Event planning duties include arranging resources such as music, flowers, and catering; preparing memorial products; setting up and cleaning event spaces; and delivering family memorabilia. The position may also perform attendant duties and represent the location at community or charity events. When performing embalming duties, the role verifies identification and authorization, prepares and embalms remains using appropriate equipment and fluids, performs restoration and other preparation, dresses and places the deceased in the casket, maintains the preparation room, handles hazardous waste properly, and manages supplies. The position works under general guidance, complies with regulations and company procedures, and may receive peer review and coaching.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
Hold a current Funeral Director and Embalmer dual license in the practicing state.
Have a valid state driver’s license and an acceptable driving record to operate company-owned vehicles.
Demonstrate cognitive ability to reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, learn from experience, and apply learning to new situations.
Be process- and results-oriented, motivated to advance work by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Have a positive attitude, motivation to continually advance industry and business knowledge, and strong self-motivation.
Build professional and trusting business relationships.
Demonstrate professional written and verbal communication skills.
Have public speaking skills and the ability to influence and gain consensus.
Be proficient using databases in automated processes and proficient in Microsoft Office.
Be available for services outside normal business hours; nights and weekends are frequently necessary.
Be able to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps.
Have the manual dexterity needed for paperwork, calculators, computers, and phone use.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive or initiate calls to the deceased’s next of kin, gather or confirm contact information and needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and send confirmations.
Perform removals or transfers when needed, care for the deceased respectfully, and update removal status in company software.
Greet next of kin and lead arrangement conferences, assess needs, discuss available insurance and benefits, and present funeral, cemetery, crematory, and merchandise options.
Transition arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor when available, or perform that role’s responsibilities when needed.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization for services and preside over visitations, funerals, and graveside services in accordance with company standards and family expectations.
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 before burial.
Inspect the deceased, casket dressing, attire, makeup, and service arrangements; raise concerns and initiate corrective action as appropriate.
Interact with families and guests to fulfill death-care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan events and order resources such as music, flowers, and catering; produce memorial products, presentations, obituaries, and online memorials.
Prepare event spaces before services and clean, store, inspect, and deliver items after events.
Perform attendant duties such as parking attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier when needed.
Represent and promote the location or market at community or charity events when needed.
Verify identification and embalming authorization; clean and embalm remains, perform restoration and preparation, dress the deceased, and place the deceased in the casket.
Maintain the preparation room, clean equipment, dispose of hazardous waste properly, promote a safe work environment, and inventory and reorder supplies.
Comply with applicable regulations, company policies, and procedures; communicate about assignments and deadlines, seek guidance, and take on additional work as appropriate.