Funeral Director

SCI Shared Resources•New Orleans, LA

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 according to 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 position receives or initiates calls to the next of kin, gathers or confirms contact and service information, schedules arrangement appointments, and may perform removals or transfers. It conducts arrangement conferences, discusses available insurance and benefits, promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and may take on Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor responsibilities when needed. The Funeral Director reviews and authorizes revisions to merchandise and service contracts. The role confirms authorization for services and serves as master of ceremonies at visitations, funerals, and graveside services. It verifies service arrangements against contractual terms and family expectations, communicates with preparation staff as needed, and supports the family and guests. Event planning tasks include ordering resources, producing memorial materials, preparing event spaces, cleaning up afterward, and delivering family memorabilia. The role may also perform attendant duties and represent the location or market at community or charity events. The Funeral Director works under general guidance, follows applicable regulations and company procedures, seeks guidance and coaching when needed, and takes accountability for work and behavior. 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 at times, with nights and weekends frequently required.

Requirements

Graduate 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 keep projects moving by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
Have a positive attitude, self-motivation, and a 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, including the 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.
Wear professional business attire when in contact with families.
Frequently sit or stand 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.
Availability outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends, which 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 veteran 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 in the counselor’s absence.
Review and authorize revisions to merchandise and service contracts.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements and preside as master of ceremonies at visitations, funerals, and graveside services.
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 before burial as arranged.
Visually inspect the deceased and adjust casket dressing, attire, or makeup, or communicate concerns to preparation staff.
Inspect service arrangements against contracts and next-of-kin expectations, initiate corrective action when 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 and online memorials, and writing obituaries.
Prepare event rooms and, after events, clean and store items, identify property needing repair, and deliver family memorabilia.
Perform attendant duties as needed, including parking lot 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; discuss assignments and priorities with the manager, seek coaching, and volunteer for additional work when workload is light.
Adjust to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures and perform additional responsibilities as assigned.