Funeral Director

SCI Shared Resources•Columbia, MO

17d•Onsite

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 a 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 next of kin, gathers or confirms contact and service needs, schedules arrangement appointments, and may perform removals or transfers. It leads arrangement conferences, discusses available insurance and benefits, promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and may handle Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor responsibilities when needed. The Funeral Director reviews and authorizes service and merchandise contract revisions. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services and presides as master of ceremonies at visitations, funerals, and graveside services. The role checks the deceased and service arrangements, responds to concerns, coordinates with service team members, and works with families and guests. It also plans and prepares events, produces memorial materials, handles post-event cleanup and deliveries, and may perform attendant duties or represent the location at community or charity events. The position works under general guidance, applies licensure while complying with regulations and company policies, and collaborates with peers and managers for assistance and coaching. It may require availability outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
Current Funeral Director license in the practicing state.
Valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving record to operate company-owned vehicles.
Cognitive ability to reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, learn from experience, and apply learning to new situations.
Process- and results-oriented, motivated to keep projects moving 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, including the ability to influence and gain consensus.
Proficiency using databases in automated processes.
Proficiency with MS Office.
Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat or inclined flooring or ramps.
Manual dexterity for paperwork and use of calculators, computers, and phones.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive or initiate calls to the deceased’s next of kin; gather or confirm contact and family information, discuss 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 lead arrangement conferences, assessing needs and summarizing desired outcomes.
Discuss available life insurance and benefits, including veteran 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 no counselor/advisor is available.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements.
Preside as master of ceremonies at 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 containing a human body is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault; verify personal belongings are removed as arranged.
Visually inspect the deceased and adjust casket dressing, attire, or makeup, or communicate concerns to preparation staff.
Inspect visitation, funeral, and graveside arrangements against contractual terms and next-of-kin expectations; initiate corrective action and provide guidance to service team members as appropriate.
Interact with families to fulfill death care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan and order event resources such as music, flowers, and catering.
Produce memorial products, including scanning photos, ordering memorabilia or stationery, creating electronic presentations, writing obituaries, and creating online memorials.
Prepare event rooms before services and clean, store items, identify property needing repair, and deliver family memorabilia after events.
Perform attendant duties as needed, including parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier.
Attend community or charity events to represent and promote the location or market.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Discuss assignments, expectations, priorities, and deadlines with the manager; seek guidance and coaching, notify the manager when workload is light, and volunteer for additional work.
Adapt to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures and complete additional responsibilities as assigned.