Funeral Director

SCI Shared Resources•Toms River, NJ

17d

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 at the funeral establishment. The role receives or initiates calls with the next of kin, gathers and confirms information, schedules arrangement appointments, and may perform removals or transfers. It leads arrangement conferences, assesses family needs, discusses available insurance and benefits, promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and reviews and authorizes contract revisions. When needed, the Funeral Director may perform Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor responsibilities. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services and serves as Master of Ceremonies at visitations, funerals, and graveside services. Responsibilities include inspecting the deceased and service arrangements, addressing discrepancies, assisting families and guests, and ensuring applicable arrangements and procedures are followed. The role also plans events, arranges resources such as music, flowers, and catering, creates memorial products, prepares and cleans event spaces, and may perform attendant duties or represent the location at community and charity events. The position works under general guidance, collaborates with peers or a manager for assistance, follows regulations and company procedures, and takes initiative in managing assignments and seeking coaching. 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, including nights and weekends, is frequently necessary.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
Current Funeral Director license in the state where practicing.
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.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
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 with the deceased’s next of kin; gather or confirm contact information and needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and send appointment confirmations.
May perform removals or transfers in accordance with company standards, care for the deceased respectfully, and update removal status in proprietary software.
Greet and escort next of kin, lead arrangement conferences, assess 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 to present cemetery property and merchandise options, pricing, and contracts; may perform those responsibilities when no counselor or advisor is available.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements and preside over visitation, funeral, and graveside services as Master of Ceremonies.
Be present for graveside services included in the purchase agreement and 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 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 arrange 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 and restore spaces afterward; identify property needing repair and deliver family memorabilia when needed.
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 with the manager; seek guidance and coaching, notify the manager when workload is light, and volunteer for additional work.
Carry out additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.