Funeral Support Specialist

Job Responsibilities

• Safely drives company owned professional vehicles to perform “first call” removals of deceased from hospital, nursing home, residence, scene locations, to transport to the funeral home or designated location, in accordance with local and state laws as well as company policies and procedures
• Maintains knowledge of applicable company policies and procedures and ensures that they are carried out at all times
• Follows processes for chain-of-custody, paperwork and deceased identification
• Cooperates with first responders, Medical Examiners, hospital staff, etc., and accommodates their processes and procedures
• When taking a First Call, gathers all information related to a passing, enters information into company systems, sends “Release Authorizations” as needed, and dispatches for pick-up
• Maintains and ensures removal vehicle is clean inside and out and is properly maintained and fueled
• Maintains adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment as well as cleaning supplies, in removal vehicles
• Directs phone calls to appropriate team members. Able to answer phone calls for families and answer all necessary questions they might have or ability to gather information/find the answer
• Greets and receives client families and/or other people entering the building for information and assistance
• Absorbs and offers assistance and guidance to all people entering the location
• Absorbs and assists passengers in and out of vehicles with special emphasis and patience given to the handicapped and elderly
• Absorbs and assists the Funeral Director in the movement of the casketed deceased and other related paraphernalia in and out of the visitation area, funeral home chapel, church or other place of service
• Absorbs and assists the Funeral Director and/or Licensed Apprentice with dressing and casketing deceased, and placing in appropriate cremation containers
• Drives the hearse or other vehicle in the funeral cortege and/or other funeral related activities
• Performs a variety of tasks during funerals and visitations to assist funeral directors to ensure that services run smoothly as planned
• Transport deceased to and from the crematory; to airports; funeral homes and other designated locations
• Runs errands such as for floral delivery, picking up supplies, documents, etc.
• May transfer and split cremated remains, log properly, and store said remains into cremation cabinet
• May release cremated remains to specified person on forms
• May release personal effects to specified person on forms, marking those items as leaving company custody, and uploading necessary forms
• Maintains logs for cremated remains, personal effects, and other product inventory as needed
• May execute and finalize items for services, including, but not limited to, securing payments, printing and/or ordering stationary materials, coordinating with outside vendors, obtaining signatures on paperwork, etc.
• Other tasks as deemed necessary by Management during day-to-day operations

Minimum Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Certification/License: Valid state/province driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Experience: Customer service experience a plus, Funeral service experience a plus
• Knowledge, Skills And Abilities: Professional appearance required. Suits are required when in contact with families; casual attire for vehicle maintenance, general cleaning and outdoor maintenance responsibilities
• Computer knowledge is required
• Ability to follow instructions given over the phone or in person
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with others
• Ability to work with kindness and compassion for the deceased and their families
• Ability to maintain composure in challenging situations
• Good verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Comfortable speaking to customers on the phone about sensitive matters
• Bilingual preferred
• May require ability to work an on-call rotation schedule including weekends, nights and holidays rotation
• May be required to work an on-call schedule