Funeral Director/Embalmer

Service Corporation International•Hampton, VA

1d•$22 - $30

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 licensed Funeral Director is responsible for compliance with mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations at the funeral establishment. The role may include embalming responsibilities. The position receives or initiates calls from next of kin, gathers or confirms information, schedules arrangement appointments, and facilitates arrangement conferences. It discusses available insurance and benefits, promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and may perform removals or transfers. The role reviews and authorizes contract revisions and may take on Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor duties when needed. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services and serves as master of ceremonies at visitations, funerals, and graveside services. Duties include inspecting the deceased and service arrangements, addressing concerns, interacting with families and guests, and obtaining leads for pre-need services. Event-planning work includes arranging resources such as music, flowers, and catering; producing memorial materials and electronic presentations; preparing and cleaning event rooms; and handling family memorabilia. The role may also perform attendant duties and represent the location or market at community or charity events. Embalming duties include verifying identification and authorization, preparing and embalming the deceased, performing restorations and other preparation, dressing and placing the deceased in the casket, maintaining the preparation room, safely disposing of hazardous waste, and tracking and replenishing supplies. The position works under general guidance and is expected to comply with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures; collaborate with peers or a manager for guidance; manage assignments and priorities; and take on additional work as requested or assigned.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
Current dual Funeral Director and Embalmer license in the practicing state.
Valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving record to operate company-owned vehicles.
Ability to reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, and apply learning to new situations.
Process- and results-oriented approach, including removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Positive attitude, self-motivation, and willingness 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 Microsoft Office.
Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps.
Manual dexterity for paperwork and use of calculators, computers, and phones.
Flexibility to work outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends, when services require it.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive or initiate calls to the deceased’s next of kin, 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 facilitate 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 and perform those responsibilities when one is unavailable.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization for services and preside over visitations, funerals, and graveside services as master of ceremonies.
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 required by the arrangements.
Inspect the deceased, casket dressing, attire, makeup, and service arrangements; communicate concerns and initiate corrective actions as appropriate.
Interact with families and guests to fulfill requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan events by arranging resources such as music, flowers, and catering; create memorial products, electronic presentations, obituaries, and online memorials.
Prepare event rooms and clean and restore them after events; identify property needing repair and deliver family memorabilia when required.
Perform attendant duties such as parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier when needed.
Attend community or charity events to represent and promote the location or market when needed.
Verify identification and embalming authorization; clean and embalm bodies, perform restorations and other preparation, and dress and place the deceased in the casket.
Maintain the preparation room, clean equipment, dispose of hazardous waste properly, promote workplace safety, and inventory and reorder supplies.
Comply with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures; manage assignments and deadlines, seek guidance when needed, and take on additional responsibilities as assigned.