Funeral Director

Service Corporation International•Alexander, AR

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. The role receives or initiates calls from next of kin, gathers and confirms information, schedules arrangement appointments, and leads arrangement conferences. It discusses available insurance and benefits and promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise. The Funeral Director may also perform removals or transfers, and may take on Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor duties when that role is absent. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services, acts as master of ceremonies, oversees service arrangements, and interacts with families and guests to fulfill death care requests. Event-planning duties include coordinating resources and ordering music, flowers, or catering; preparing event spaces; producing memorial materials; and completing post-event cleanup and delivery tasks. The role may also perform attendant duties and represent the location or market at community or charity events. The position works under general guidance and requires accountability, collaboration, initiative, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather. Professional business attire is required when interacting with families. Availability outside normal business hours is necessary, with nights and weekends frequently required.

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.
Ability to reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, learn from experience, and apply learning to new situations.
Process- and results-oriented approach, with motivation 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 and ability to influence and gain consensus.
Proficiency using databases in automated processes and Microsoft Office.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather.
Ability to sit or stand frequently for continuous periods of up to six hours per day and frequently climb stairs.
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, obtain or confirm contact information and needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and send appointment confirmations.
May perform removals or transfers, care respectfully for the deceased, and update removal status in proprietary software.
Greet next of kin and lead arrangement conferences, assessing needs and discussing available life insurance, benefits, services, and merchandise.
Transition arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor for cemetery property and merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion; perform those duties when that role is absent.
Review and authorize revisions to merchandise and service contracts.
Confirm authorization to proceed with arrangements and preside over visitation, funeral, and graveside services as master of ceremonies.
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 before burial.
Inspect the deceased and casket presentation, make or communicate needed adjustments, and inspect services against contractual arrangements and family expectations.
Initiate corrective action and provide instruction or guidance to services team members as appropriate.
Interact with families and guests to fulfill death care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan events, including resource planning and ordering 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 and, after events, clean and store items, identify property needing repair, and deliver family memorabilia.
May serve as a 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; discuss assignments and priorities with the manager, seek guidance, and take on additional work as appropriate.