Funeral Director

Service Corporation International•Toms River, NJ

19d

About The Position

Compassionately facilitates funeral arrangement discussions with the deceased’s next of kin and presides over visitation, funeral, and graveside services in accordance with the family’s wishes, company expectations, and applicable laws. As the licensed Funeral Director, the role is responsible for compliance with mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations within the funeral establishment(s). The Funeral Director receives or initiates calls from the next of kin, gathers or confirms information, discusses needs, schedules arrangement appointments, and facilitates arrangement conferences. The role may perform removals or transfers and may take on Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor responsibilities when those associates are absent. It directs and checks services, coordinates event details and memorial products, and may perform attendant duties or represent the location at community events. The position works under general guidance, applies licensure in a business setting, ensures regulatory compliance, and collaborates with peers or a manager for assistance and guidance. Flexibility may be necessary because services can occur outside normal business hours, and nights and weekends are 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 and from experience, and apply learning to new situations.
Process- and results-oriented approach, with motivation to move projects forward by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Positive attitude, self-motivation, and drive to 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 push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat or inclined flooring or ramps.
Availability flexibility; services may occur outside normal business hours, and 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 confirmations.
Perform removals or transfers when needed, care for the deceased respectfully, and update removal status in company software.
Greet and escort next of kin, facilitate arrangement conferences, assess needs, and discuss available life insurance and benefits, including veteran benefits.
Promote funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and transition arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor when applicable.
Perform Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor responsibilities in their absence and review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization for service arrangements and preside over visitation, funeral, and graveside services in a professional and caring manner.
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 required by the arrangements.
Visually inspect the deceased and service arrangements; adjust casket dressing, attire, or makeup, communicate concerns to preparation staff, and initiate corrective action as appropriate.
Interact with families and guests to fulfill death-care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan event resources and order requested music, flowers, catering, and other items.
Produce memorial products, including scanning photos, ordering memorabilia or stationery, creating presentations and online memorials, and writing obituaries.
Prepare event rooms before services and clean and restore them afterward; identify property needing repair and deliver family memorabilia when required.
Perform attendant duties as needed, such as parking attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier.
Represent and promote the location or market at community or charity events when needed.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations; discuss assignments, expectations, priorities, and deadlines with the manager, seek guidance, and take on additional work as appropriate.