Funeral Director Apprentice

Responsibilities

• 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
• Removals and transfers
• 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 in absence of Family Service Counselor. Aftercare includes delivery of:
• Documentation
• Stationery
• Information on insurance, health benefits and pension
• Pre-arrangements for next of kin
• Ensures potential pre-need referrals are shared with Family Service Counselors
• 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)
• Performs other duties as assigned

• High School diploma or general equivalency degree (or diploma)
• Completion of or currently enrolled in a degree training program at an accredited mortuary college or technical school specializing in funeral service or mortuary science.

• Typically requires a minimum of 6 months experience in a funeral home, crematory or cemetery

• Must meet all licensing requirement in applicable state/province as required by law as prescribed by each state board
• Valid driver’s license

• Knowledge of computers and some software including MS Office products required
• High level of compassion and integrity
• Good communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to multi task and set priorities

• Work indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather conditions
• Limited amount of local and/or multiple location traveling required
• Professional Dress is required when in contact with families.

• Frequent, continuous periods of time standing, up 6 hours per day
• Sitting continuously for many hours per day, up to 6 hours per day
• Climbing stairs to access buildings frequently

• Physical effort requiring manual dexterity is required, includes paperwork, calculators, computers and phone usage

• Working beyond "standard" hours as the need arises
• Travel up to 25%