Job Summary:

The Funeral Director will oversee, direct, and coordinate all aspects of funeral services including body preparation, visitation, services, burials, and cremations, while providing caring support and advice to families and friends of the deceased.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversees the job performance and schedules of embalmers, funeral arrangements supervisors, and funeral attendants.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides knowledgeable and caring support to family and friends of deceased; meets with family and/or friends of the deceased to discuss the nature and time of funeral arrangements to be conducted.
• Tactfully discusses the options and preference for disposition of the remains; addresses and explains the costs of the funeral with family and/or friends of the deceased.
• Coordinates practical arrangements for the funeral that are respectful, professional, timely, and sensitive. This may include transferring the body to the burial site, providing transportation of the family, or arranging visitations and services.
• Coordinates the transfer of the body or remains to the funeral home.
• Oversees the embalming process.
• Provides instructions to the Funeral Arrangements Supervisor and Funeral Attendant regarding times, rooms, and arrangements to be made.
• Schedules clergy and pallbearers, answering any questions about their specific duties.
• Makes arrangements with cemeteries for scheduling, opening, and closing of facilities and gravesites, as necessary.
• Oversees the issuance of death notices, obituaries, and related paperwork to government agencies and preferred newspapers or other appropriate media.
• Ensures paperwork is filed in a timely and orderly manner, consulting with family to obtain accurate and necessary information for completion.
• Develops and maintains budget and financial records for the funeral home.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to manage distressing and stressful situations with sensitivity and care.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Thorough understanding of methods for comforting people during grief.
• Thorough understanding of laws related to funerals and funeral arrangements.
• Ability to promptly and accurately execute required legal paperwork.
• Ability to perform mortuary services.
• Detail-oriented and extremely organized.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

• At least two years of college or vocational school required with coursework in mortuary science .
• Licensed according to state requirements.
• At least two years of funeral home experience required.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to traverse a variety of locations and terrains in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.