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, caring for the deceased respectfully.
  • Updates removal status in proprietary software.
  • Greets next of kin and escorts them to meeting space, facilitating 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 (e.g., catering, flowers, music, Ever Lasting Memory products).
  • Transitions to Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor to present cemetery property, merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion. May perform these duties 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.
  • Must be present for graveside services included in the purchase agreement and when the casket is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault, ensuring personal belongings are removed.
  • Visually inspects the deceased, adjusts casket dressing, attire, or makeup, and communicates concerns to preparation staff.
  • Verifies service arrangements align with contractual agreements and next of kin expectations; initiates corrective action as needed.
  • Interacts with family to fulfill death care requests and obtains leads for pre-need services.
• Event Planning
  • Performs event planning tasks, including resource planning and ordering music, flowers, or catering.
  • Produces memorial products (e.g., scanning photos, ordering memorabilia, creating electronic presentations, writing obituaries, online memorials).
  • Prepares event rooms (e.g., setting up chairs, tables, flowers, guest books, décor).
  • Post-event, cleans and stores items, identifies property needing repair, and couriers/delivers family memorabilia.
  • May perform attendant duties (e.g., parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, courier).
  • May attend community or charity events to represent and promote the location or market.
• Embalming
  • Cares for the deceased respectfully, verifies identification, and reviews embalming authorization.
  • Cleans and embalms the body using company processes, adhering to hazardous waste procedures.
  • Performs restorations, styles hair, applies cosmetics, dresses the body, and prepares remains for viewing.
  • Verifies casket and lining per contract, dresses the casket, and lays the deceased.
  • Updates status in proprietary software, maintains the preparation room, cleans equipment, and disposes of hazardous waste safely.
  • Inventories and reorders supplies.
• General
  • Works under general guidance, applying licensure to business environments while complying with regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Collaborates with peers or managers for assistance and guidance; ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Takes initiative to discuss assignments, expectations, priorities, and deadlines; seeks guidance and coaching.
  • Adjusts to new work structures, processes, or cultures and volunteers for additional work when workload is light.
  • 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.
• Experience
  • Industry experience preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Cognitive ability to reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, and apply knowledge to new situations.
  • Process and results-oriented, motivated to advance understanding of the industry and business.
  • Positive attitude, highly self-motivated, and able to build professional, trusting relationships.
  • Professional written and verbal communication skills; public speaking skills to influence and gain consensus.
  • Proficient in using databases, automated processes, and MS Office.

Work Conditions

• Environment
  • Work is both indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather.
  • Professional business attire required when in contact with families.
• Postures & Physical Demands
  • Frequent continuous periods of sitting or standing (up to 6 hours per day); frequent climbing of stairs.
  • Physical effort requiring manual dexterity (e.g., paperwork, calculators, computers, phone usage).
  • Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps.
• Hours
  • Flexibility of availability is required; majority of services occur nights and weekends.
  • Typically, less than 20 hours a week worked Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.
  • Limited local and/or multiple-location travel required.