Funeral Director

SCI Shared Resources•Austin, TX

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 a licensed Funeral Director, this role is responsible for compliance with mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations within the funeral establishment(s). The position works under general guidance, applying licensure in a business environment while following regulations, policies, and procedures. New associates may receive peer review and collaborate with peers or a manager for assistance, guidance, and coaching. The role receives or initiates calls to the next of kin, gathers or confirms information, schedules arrangement appointments, and facilitates arrangement conferences. It discusses available insurance and benefits, promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise, and may assume Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor responsibilities when needed. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services and serves as master of ceremonies at visitations, funerals, and graveside services. The role also plans and prepares events, creates memorial products, and may perform attendant duties or represent the location at community and charity events. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather. Professional business attire is required when in contact with families. Availability may need to extend beyond normal business hours; nights and weekends are 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.
Ability to reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, learn 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, including the ability to influence and gain consensus.
Proficiency using databases in automated processes and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather.
Ability to wear professional business attire when in contact with families.
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.
Availability may need to extend beyond 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, discuss needs including language needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and email confirmations.
May perform removals or transfers according to company standards and processes; care for the deceased respectfully and update removal status in proprietary software.
Greet and escort next of kin, initiate and facilitate arrangement conferences, assess needs, and summarize desired outcomes.
Discuss available life insurance and benefits, including veterans’ 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; may perform those responsibilities when no counselor/advisor is available.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements and preside as master of ceremonies for visitation, funeral, and graveside services in a professional, organized, and caring manner.
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 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 next-of-kin expectations, initiate corrective action as appropriate, and provide instruction or guidance to service team members.
Interact with family members to fulfill death-care requests and obtain leads for pre-need services.
Plan events, including planning and ordering resources such as music, flowers, and 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 before services, including setting up chairs, tables, flowers, guest books, and décor; clean and restore spaces afterward, 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.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations; discuss assignments, expectations, priorities, and deadlines with the manager, seek guidance and coaching, and volunteer for additional work when workload is light.
Adjust effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures, exhibit accountability, and perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.