Funeral Director

Service Corporation International•Lake Zurich, IL

5d•$31 - $50•Onsite

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(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, reviewing and authorizing contract revisions, and transitioning families to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor when available. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services, acts as master of ceremonies, verifies service arrangements, and works with families, guests, and service team members to fulfill requests. The position also plans and prepares events, including coordinating resources such as music, flowers, and catering; producing memorial products; setting up and cleaning event spaces; and delivering family memorabilia. Additional duties may include attendant work, representing the location at community or charity events, and other assignments. The role works under general guidance and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Requirements

Graduation 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, including removing obstacles and exploring alternatives to keep projects moving.
Positive attitude, self-motivation, and drive to 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 MS Office.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all seasons and weather, and wear professional business attire when in contact with families.
Ability to sit or stand for continuous periods of up to six hours per day and frequently climb stairs.
Manual dexterity for paperwork, calculators, computers, and phone use.
Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat or inclined flooring or ramps.
Availability for services outside normal business hours; working nights and weekends is 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 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, discuss available insurance and benefits, and promote funeral, cemetery, crematory, and related merchandise and services.
Transition arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor; perform those responsibilities when no counselor or advisor is available.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization to proceed with arrangements and preside as master of ceremonies at visitation, funeral, and graveside services.
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 before burial according to the arrangements.
Visually inspect the deceased and service arrangements, adjust casket dressing or the deceased’s 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 events and coordinate 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 events and clean and restore them afterward; identify property needing repair and deliver family memorabilia to the home.
May perform attendant duties such as parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier.
May represent and promote the location or market at community or charity events.
Comply with local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and procedures; seek guidance and coaching as needed and take on additional work or assignments as requested.