Funeral Director

SCI Shared Resources•Fort Wayne, IN

3d•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 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 next of kin, gathers or confirms contact information and needs, schedules arrangement appointments, and facilitates arrangement conferences. It may include removals or transfers, care of the deceased, and updates in proprietary software. The Funeral Director discusses available life insurance and benefits, promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and transitions arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor for cemetery property and merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion. In the absence of an FSA/FSC, the Funeral Director may perform those responsibilities and reviews and authorizes merchandise and service contract revisions. The Funeral Director confirms authorization to proceed with arrangements and serves as Master of Ceremonies for visitation, funeral, or graveside services. The role inspects the deceased and service arrangements, addresses concerns or discrepancies, interacts with families and guests, and may provide guidance to service team members. It also plans and prepares events, produces memorial materials, handles post-event cleanup and delivery of family memorabilia, and may perform attendant duties or represent the location at community or charity events. The position works under general guidance, complies with applicable regulations and company procedures, seeks guidance and coaching as needed, and takes initiative in managing assignments and workload. Additional responsibilities may be requested or assigned.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
Hold a current Funeral Director license in the practicing state.
Hold a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving record to operate company-owned vehicles.
Ability to reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly and from experience, and apply learning to new situations.
Be process- and results-oriented, motivated to move projects forward by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Have a positive attitude, motivation to advance industry and business understanding, and strong self-motivation.
Ability to build professional, 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.
Proficiency with MS Office.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive or initiate calls to the deceased’s next of kin; obtain or confirm contact details and needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and send confirmations.
Exhibit empathy while discussing needs, including language needs, and escort next of kin to the meeting space.
May perform removals or transfers, care for the deceased respectfully, and update removal status in proprietary software.
Initiate and facilitate arrangement conferences, assess family needs, and summarize 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; may perform those responsibilities when an FSA/FSC is absent.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements.
Preside as Master of Ceremonies for visitation, funeral, or graveside services in a professional, organized, and caring manner consistent with company standards.
Be present for graveside services included in the purchase agreement and when the casket is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault; verify personal belongings are removed as specified in the arrangements.
Visually inspect the deceased and adjust casket dressing, attire, or makeup, or 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 and guests to fulfill death care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan resources and order music, flowers, or catering to fulfill arrangement requests.
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, including setting up chairs, tables, flowers, guest books, and décor.
Clean and restore event areas after events, identify property needing repair, and deliver family memorabilia to the home.
May perform attendant duties such as parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier.
May attend community or charity events to represent and promote the location or market.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and company policies and procedures.
Discuss assignments, expectations, priorities, and deadlines; seek guidance and coaching; notify the manager when workload is light and volunteer for additional work.
Adjust effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures and take on additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.