Funeral Director/Embalmer

Location: Springfield, IL 62703 | Category: Operations

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 calls to deceased next of kin; exhibits concern and empathy while obtaining or confirming deceased and family contact information, briefly discussing needs (including languages), scheduling arrangement appointments, and emailing confirmations.
• May perform removals or transfers adhering to company standards and processes; cares for deceased in a respectful manner; updates removal status in proprietary software.
• Greets next of kin and escorts to meeting space; initiates and facilitates Arrangements Conference while assessing needs and summarizing desired outcomes.
• Discusses available life insurance and benefits (e.g., Veteran); promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise such as catering, flowers, music, and Ever Lasting Memory products.
• Transitions Arrangement Conference to Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor for cemetery property and merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion; in absence of an FSA/FSC, may perform those responsibilities.
• Responsible for reviewing and authorizing 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.
• Present for graveside services included in the purchase agreement; present when casket containing a human body is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault; verifies personal belongings are removed from the deceased prior to burial per the arrangements.
• Visually inspects deceased, adjusts casket dressing, deceased attire or makeup, or communicates concerns to preparation staff.
• Visually inspects services arrangements (visitation, funeral, or graveside) against contractual arrangements and next of kin expectations; initiates corrective action as appropriate; may provide instruction or guidance to services team members.
• Interacts with the family to fulfill death care requests; obtains leads for pre-need services while interacting with family and guests.

Event Planning

• Performs event planning responsibilities including resource planning and ordering of music, flowers, or catering to fulfill arrangement requests.
• Produces MeM products: scanning photos, ordering memorabilia or stationery, creating electronic presentations, writing obituaries, and creating online memorials.
• Prepares event room prior to event (set-up chairs, tables, flowers, guest books, appropriate décor).
• Post-event: cleans chairs, tables, floors; proper storage of items; identifies property in need of repair; couriers/delivers family memorabilia to home.
• 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 in a respectful manner; verifies identification and reviews embalming authorization following company processes.
• Cleans and embalms body following company processes and hazardous waste procedures; uses scalpels, pumps, tubes, and equipment to replace bodily fluids/waste with embalming fluids; performs restorations, styling hair, applying cosmetics, dressing body, and other preparation required for human remains.
• Verifies appropriate casket and lining according to contract; dresses casket and lays deceased; updates status in proprietary software.
• Maintains preparation room, cleans soiled equipment, properly disposes of hazardous waste, and promotes a safe work environment.
• Inventories and reorders supplies.

General

• Works under general guidance; new associates apply licensure to business environment complying with regulations, policies, and procedures; work may be peer reviewed for accuracy, quality, and education; collaborates with peers or manager for assistance and guidance.
• Exhibits accountability for behaviors; ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Takes initiative to discuss assignments, expectations, priorities, and deadlines; seeks guidance and coaching from manager.
• Notifies manager when workload is light and volunteers for additional work.
• Adjusts effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• Additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

Requirements

Education & Licenses

• Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.

Certification/License

• 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

• Cognitive ability: reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, learn from experience, and appropriately apply learning to new situations.
• Process and results oriented; motivated to keep projects moving ahead by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives.
• Positive attitude, drive to continually advance understanding of the industry and business, highly self-motivated.
• Ability to build professional and trusting business relations.
• Professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Public speaking skills with the ability to influence and gain consensus.
• Proficient using databases in automated processes.
• Proficient 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 stairs to access buildings.

Physical Demands

• Physical effort requiring manual dexterity (paperwork, calculators, computers, 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.

Pay

$25–32 per hour

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care)
• Health Savings Account with Company Contribution
• Sick Leave
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Accidental Death or Dismemberment Insurance
• Dependent Life Insurance
• SCI 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company match
• Employee Assistance Program