Funeral Director

SCI Shared Resources•Bellevue, WA

25d

About The Position

The Funeral Director compassionately facilitates funeral arrangement discussions with the deceased’s next of kin and presides over visitation, funeral, and graveside services in accordance with family wishes, company expectations, and applicable laws. As the licensed Funeral Director, this role is responsible for compliance with mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations within the funeral establishment(s). The role receives or initiates calls to the 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 reviews and authorizes contract revisions. When needed, the Funeral Director may perform removals or transfers, care for the deceased, and carry out Funeral Services Advisor/Counselor responsibilities. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services and presides as master of ceremonies at visitations, funerals, and graveside services. The role inspects the deceased and service arrangements, addresses issues as appropriate, interacts with families and guests, and may guide service team members. It also plans and prepares events, coordinates requested resources, produces memorial materials, and completes post-event duties. Additional attendant duties and community or charity event participation may be required. Works under general guidance, collaborates with peers or a manager for assistance, and is accountable for complying with regulations, policies, and procedures. The role requires professional business attire when in contact with families, work indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather, and flexibility to work outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
Hold a current Funeral Director 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 keep projects moving by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Have a positive attitude, self-motivation, and a drive to continually advance understanding of the industry and business.
Ability to build professional, trusting business relationships.
Professional written and verbal communication skills.
Public speaking skills and the ability to influence and gain consensus.
Proficiency using databases in automated processes.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps.
Availability flexibility; services may occur outside normal business hours, and nights and weekends are frequently necessary.
Wear professional business attire when in contact with families.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive or initiate calls to the deceased’s next of kin; obtain or confirm contact information and needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and send appointment confirmations.
Perform removals or transfers when needed, care for the deceased respectfully, and update removal status in proprietary software.
Greet next of kin and facilitate arrangement conferences, assessing needs and summarizing desired outcomes.
Discuss available life insurance and benefits, including veterans’ benefits, and promote funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise.
Transition arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor for cemetery property and merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion; perform those responsibilities when needed.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements.
Preside as master of ceremonies for visitations, funerals, and graveside services in a professional, organized, and caring manner consistent with company standards.
Attend graveside services included in the purchase agreement and be present when a casket is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault; verify personal belongings are removed as arranged.
Visually inspect the deceased, adjust casket dressing, attire, or makeup, and communicate concerns to preparation staff.
Inspect service arrangements against contractual arrangements and next-of-kin expectations, initiate corrective action as appropriate, and provide guidance to service team members when needed.
Interact with families to fulfill death-care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan event resources and order requested music, flowers, or catering.
Produce memorial products, which may include scanning photos, ordering memorabilia or stationery, creating electronic presentations, writing obituaries, and creating online memorials.
Prepare event rooms before events and clean and restore spaces afterward; identify property needing repair and deliver family memorabilia when needed.
Perform attendant duties such as parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier when needed.
Represent and promote the location or market at community or charity events when needed.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and company policies and procedures.
Discuss assignments, expectations, priorities, and deadlines with the manager, seek guidance and coaching, and notify the manager when workload is light and volunteer for additional work.
Adjust to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures and perform additional assigned responsibilities.