Apprentice Funeral Director

Primary responsibilities

Provides customer service in all areas of helping client families following the loss of a loved one. Provides exemplary personalized and professional service. Learns how a Funeral Director implements choices made by the families/legal representative regarding the funeral, final disposition of the body and memorialization of the individual. Interacts with the family to fulfill death care needs. Ensures customer needs are addressed.

Daily Operations

• Learns to arrange and conduct funeral and memorial ceremonies in a professional, organized and caring manner consistent with company policies and procedures
• Learns to negotiate and create acceptable funeral contracts
• Handles contracts, legal documents, and collection of monies or insurance in accordance with company policies.
• Ensures client families are informed of special recognition/services available for veterans and ensures the delivery of selected recognition/services.
• Confirms authorization to proceed with the service arrangements
• Verifies identification of the deceased and authorization for embalming
• Learns how to arrange for the interment or cremation of human remains
• Adheres to all company and regulatory requirements
• Cares for the deceased in a respectful manner while performing a variety of tasks which may include Removals and transfers, lifting of deceased human remains, dressing and casketing, coordinating and assisting with funeral service and visitation
• Delivery of flowers, caskets, urn, photos and other personal keepsakes or mementos of client families
• Setting of chairs and the removal, proper care and storage of these items
• Assists with funeral services by: coordinating the parking of cars, ushering, driving funeral vehicles, assisting at chapel and church services, assisting at the cemetery, delivering flowers, caskets, urn, photos and other personal keepsakes or mementos of client families
• Setting up chairs and the removing, properly caring for and storing of these items
• Participating at special functions
• Provides aftercare to include but not limited to; delivery of: documentation stationery, information on insurance, health benefits and pension, pre-arrangements for next of kin
• Completes and accurately prepares of all documents related to services, cremations, maintenance, and any other type of data entry
• Assists with general office duties such as preparing reports as needed
• Assists with the maintenance of vehicles, the facility and property
• Receives caskets and other funeral home supplies as well as place into inventory
• Ensures refreshments are available (where allowed by law)
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Working knowledge of computers, office equipment, and software including MS Office products
• High level of compassion and integrity
• Good communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to multitask and set priorities

Education and Skills

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Completion of or currently enrolled in a degree training program at an accredited mortuary college or technical
• Ability to handle the pressure of daily deadlines
• Valid driver’s license
• Good organizational, communication and customer service skills
• Detail oriented and extremely conscientious
• Self-starter
• Ability to Multi-task

Physical Criteria

The ability to stand, sit, walk, and bend for extended periods of time

The ability to work in a variety of weather conditions

The ability to wear personal protective gear correctly

The ability to lift more than 50 pounds regularly

The ability to respond quickly to sounds

The ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces

The ability to see and respond to dangerous situations