Funeral Director

Service Corporation International•Austin, TX

6d•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 with next of kin, gathers or confirms information, schedules arrangement appointments, and facilitates arrangement conferences. It may include removals or transfers, care of the deceased, and updating removal status in company software. The Funeral Director discusses available services and benefits, coordinates with a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor on cemetery property and merchandise options, and may perform those responsibilities when an advisor is absent. The role also reviews and authorizes contract revisions. The Funeral Director confirms authorization for services, presides over visitations, funerals, and graveside services, and checks that services meet contractual arrangements and family expectations. Responsibilities include visually inspecting the deceased and service arrangements, coordinating corrections, interacting with families and guests, and obtaining leads for pre-need services. The role also plans and prepares events, orders resources such as music, flowers, and catering, produces memorial materials, prepares and cleans event spaces, and may perform attendant duties or represent the location at community or charity events. Work is performed under general guidance, with responsibility for following company procedures and applicable regulations.

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 approach, with motivation to move projects forward 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 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; confirm contact information and needs, schedule arrangement appointments, and email confirmations.
May perform removals or transfers, 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, crematory, and related merchandise and services.
Transition arrangement conferences to a Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor for cemetery property and merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion; may perform those duties when an advisor is absent.
Review and authorize merchandise and service contract revisions.
Confirm authorization to proceed with service arrangements and preside over visitation, funeral, or graveside services as Master of Ceremonies.
Attend graveside services included in the purchase agreement and be present when the casket is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault; verify personal belongings are removed before burial.
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, and provide instruction or guidance to service team members as appropriate.
Interact with families 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, writing obituaries, and creating online memorials.
Prepare event rooms with chairs, tables, flowers, guest books, and décor; clean and restore rooms after events, identify property needing repair, and deliver family memorabilia as 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.
Adapt to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures and perform additional assigned responsibilities.