Funeral Director

SCI Shared Resources•Crystal Lake, IL

19d•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, the role is responsible for compliance with mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations within the funeral establishment(s). The role receives or initiates calls with next of kin, gathers or confirms contact and service information, schedules arrangement appointments, and may perform removals or transfers. It facilitates arrangement conferences, discusses available insurance and benefits, promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and reviews and authorizes contract revisions. In the absence of a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor, the Funeral Director may perform those 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, interacts with families and guests, plans and prepares events, creates memorial products, and may provide attendant duties or represent the location at community and charity events. The position works under general guidance, follows company procedures and applicable regulations, collaborates with peers and managers for assistance, and takes initiative to clarify priorities and seek coaching. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather. Professional business attire is required when in contact with families. Availability outside normal business hours is needed, and nights and weekends are frequently necessary. Pay is $31–$50 an hour.

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.
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 move projects forward by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Have a positive attitude, be highly self-motivated, and demonstrate 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 MS Office.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather.
Professional business attire when in contact with families.
Frequent continuous periods of sitting or standing, up to six hours per day, and frequent stair climbing to access buildings.
Manual dexterity for paperwork and use of calculators, computers, and phones.
Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps.
Flexibility to work outside normal business hours; nights and weekends are frequently necessary.

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 appointment confirmations.
Perform removals or transfers when needed, care for the deceased respectfully, and update removal status in proprietary software.
Greet and escort next of kin, facilitate arrangement conferences, assess needs, and summarize desired outcomes.
Discuss available life insurance and benefits, including veterans’ benefits, and promote funeral, cemetery, crematory, and related merchandise and services.
Transition arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor for presentation of 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 and preside as master of ceremonies at visitation, funeral, and graveside services.
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 and adjust casket dressing, attire, or makeup, or communicate concerns to preparation staff.
Inspect service arrangements against contractual arrangements and family 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 resources such as music, flowers, and catering; create memorial products, including photo scans, memorabilia or stationery orders, electronic presentations, obituaries, and online memorials.
Prepare event rooms and, after events, clean and store items, identify property needing repair, and deliver family memorabilia when needed.
Perform attendant duties as needed, including parking 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 and company policies and procedures.
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.
Adjust to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures and complete additional responsibilities as assigned.