Funeral Director/Embalmer

About the Role

Compassionately facilitates funeral arrangement discussions with deceased next of kin and presides over visitation, funeral, and graveside services in accordance with family’s wishes, company expectations, and local, state, or federal laws. May perform embalming responsibilities. As the licensed Funeral Director, responsible for compliance with all mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulations within the funeral establishment(s).

Responsibilities

• Arrangements Conference
  • Receives or initiates call to deceased next of kin, obtains or confirms contact information, discusses needs (including languages), schedules appointment, and emails confirmation.
  • May perform removals or transfers adhering to company standards and processes.
  • Cares for deceased in a respectful manner and updates removal status in proprietary software.
  • Greets next of kin, escorts to meeting space, and facilitates the Arrangements Conference while assessing needs and summarizing desired outcomes.
  • Discusses available life insurance and benefits (e.g., Veteran) and promotes funeral, cemetery, crematory services, and merchandise such as catering, flowers, music, and Ever Lasting Memory products.
  • Transitions to Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor to present cemetery property, merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion. May perform these responsibilities in their absence.
  • Reviews and authorizes merchandise and service contract revisions.
• Directing Services
  • Confirms authorization to proceed with service arrangements.
  • Presides as Master of Ceremonies (MC) for visitation, funeral, or graveside services in a professional, organized, and caring manner consistent with company standards.
  • Must be present for graveside services included in the purchase agreement and when the casket is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault. Verifies personal belongings are removed from the deceased prior to burial.
  • Visually inspects deceased, adjusts casket dressing, attire, or makeup, and communicates concerns to preparation staff.
  • Inspects service arrangements against contractual agreements and next of kin expectations; initiates corrective action as needed and may provide guidance to services team members.
  • Interacts with family to fulfill death care requests and obtains leads for pre-need services.
• Event Planning
  • Performs event planning responsibilities including resource planning, ordering music, flowers, or catering to fulfill arrangement requests.
  • Produces memorial products such as scanning photos, ordering memorabilia or stationery, creating electronic presentations, writing obituaries, and creating online memorials.
  • Prepares event rooms including setting up chairs, tables, flowers, guest books, and appropriate décor.
  • Post-event, cleans chairs, tables, floors, stores items, identifies property needing repair, and couriers/delivers family memorabilia.
  • May perform attendant duties including parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier.
  • May attend community or charity events to represent and promote the location or market.
• Embalming
  • Cares for deceased respectfully, verifies identification, and reviews embalming authorization.
  • Cleans and embalms body using company processes and hazardous waste procedures; uses scalpels, pumps, tubes, and equipment to replace bodily fluids/waste with embalming fluids.
  • Performs restorations, styles hair, applies cosmetics, dresses the body, and prepares human remains.
  • Verifies appropriate casket and lining according to contract, dresses the casket, and lays the deceased.
  • Updates status in proprietary software, maintains the preparation room, cleans equipment, and disposes of hazardous waste properly.
  • Inventories and reorders supplies.
• General
  • Works under general guidance; new associates may have work peer-reviewed for accuracy, quality, and education.
  • Collaborates with peers or manager for assistance and guidance, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Exhibits accountability for behaviors and takes initiative to discuss assignments, expectations, priorities, and deadlines.
  • Notifies manager when workload is light and volunteers for additional work.
  • Adjusts effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
  • Performs additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

Requirements

• Education & Licenses
  • Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
  • Current Funeral Director and Embalmer dual license within the practicing state.
  • Valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving record required to operate company-owned vehicles.
• Experience

  Industry experience is preferred.

• Skills & Abilities
  • Cognitive ability including reasoning, planning, problem identification, quick learning, and applying learning to new situations.
  • Process and results-oriented, motivated to keep projects moving by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
  • Positive attitude, drive to advance understanding of the industry and business, and highly self-motivated.
  • Ability to build professional and trusting business relationships.
  • Professional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Public speaking skills with the ability to influence and gain consensus.
  • Proficient using databases in automated processes and MS Office skills.

Work Conditions

• Work Environment
  • Work is both indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather.
  • Professional business attire required when in contact with families.
• Work Postures
  • Frequent, continuous periods of sitting or standing, up to 6 hours per day.
  • Frequent climbing of stairs to access buildings.
• Physical Demands
  • Physical effort requiring manual dexterity, including paperwork, calculators, computers, and phone usage.
  • Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps.
• Work Hours
  • Flexibility of availability may be necessary as services may occur outside of normal business hours.
  • Working nights and weekends is frequently necessary.

Job Location: US-TX - Midland