Funeral Director

Service Corporation International•New Orleans, LA

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 position is responsible for compliance with mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations within the funeral establishment(s). The role receives or initiates calls from next of kin, gathers and confirms information, schedules arrangement appointments, and facilitates arrangement conferences. It may include removals or transfers, care of the deceased, discussing insurance and benefits, promoting funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and reviewing or authorizing contract revisions. The Funeral Director may transition arrangements to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor or perform those responsibilities in their absence. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services and serves as Master of Ceremonies for visitations, funerals, and graveside services. The role checks the deceased and service arrangements, responds to family requests, and may guide service team members. Event-planning work includes arranging resources such as music, flowers, or catering; preparing memorial products and materials; setting up and cleaning event spaces; and delivering family memorabilia. The position may also perform attendant duties and represent the location or market at community or charity events. Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather. Professional business attire is required when in contact with families. Availability outside normal business hours may be necessary; working nights and weekends is frequently necessary.

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 and from experience, and apply learning to new situations.
Process- and results-oriented, 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.
Proficient MS Office skills.
Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat or 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 information, discuss needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and send appointment confirmations.
May perform removals or transfers, care for the deceased respectfully, and update removal status in proprietary software.
Greet next of kin and facilitate arrangement conferences, assess needs, and summarize desired outcomes.
Discuss available life insurance and 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 an FSA/FSC is absent.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements and preside as Master of Ceremonies at visitations, funerals, and graveside services.
Attend graveside services included in the purchase agreement and be present when the casket is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault; verify personal belongings are removed before burial.
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 as appropriate, and provide guidance to service team members.
Interact with families and guests to fulfill death care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan events and order 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 and, after events, clean and store items, identify property needing repair, and deliver family memorabilia.
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.
Comply with local, state, and federal regulations, company policies, and procedures; seek guidance and coaching, communicate about assignments and priorities, and take on additional work as appropriate.