Apprentice

Job Summary

The position will manage, prepare and direct funeral services and coordinate the delivery of decedent to the mortuary under the supervision of a licensed funeral director. The major objectives are to provide the highest quality services and products and to satisfy the needs of any client family. Geographic boundaries for this position may encompass more than one firm or location in a given area of multiple company operations.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate Core Values of Excellence, Trust, Care and Growth in performing all aspects of position.

2. Maintain a positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner so that you get along with families, co-workers and management.

3. Remain up-to-date on Paycom reading as assigned.

4. May be required to perform Pre-arrangement Family Service Associate function of assisting client families with requested service arrangements, selection of funeral merchandise and other products and financial arrangements. Where licensed and applicable.

5. Plan and place casket in visitation area, adjust light fixtures and arrange or supervise arrangement of floral tributes.

6. Direct casket bearers in placement and removal of casket to and from funeral coach, chapel or other place of service and interment location.

7. Direct and usher families and service attendees in and from the place where funeral services are conducted.

8. Coordinate all service arrangements and details with clergy, other presiding persons, fraternal or military organizations who may participate in the conduct of the funeral service.

9. Obtain knowledge of the geographic location of all hospitals, cemeteries, crematories, churches, synagogues, and other places where funeral services may be held including traffic patterns to and from each location and entrance and exit points of each building.

10. Communicate with each clergy and or celebrant in the market area as to the conduct of individual funeral services (i.e. musical preference, open or closed casket, traditional or contemporary attitudes).

11. Treat decedent with respect and decorum.

12. May lead funeral procession from place of service to interment site.

13. Assist with visitation by ushering and directing families and visitors of deceased to and from visitation area.

14. Assist in the transportation of family members assuring timely departure and arrival as agreed with client family and arrange family automobiles in funeral procession in accordance with the client family’s wishes.

15. Ensure that all associates participating in a given funeral service are performing their assigned functions and in place at designated times.

16. Arrange and coordinate shipment of decedent to and from other cities and localities.

17. Light housekeeping to keep the facilities and grounds in perfect order. This includes keeping work areas tidy, picking up litter on the grounds and general straightening up.

The above duties are neither intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities for this position, nor are they intended to be a listing of prerequisite skills and abilities. The purpose is to describe the general nature of the position.

Educational, Licensure and Skill Requirements

• A two-year college degree or completion of a specialized course of study or job specific skills acquired through on-the job raining or apprenticeship program.
• A minimum of three months of similar or related experience.
• Valid Apprentice/Resident Funeral Director and or Embalmer License in the location jurisdiction.
• Passing of both sections of the National Board Exam (NBE) as per state requirements.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with all levels including management, associates, home office and families.
• Possess necessary licensure or other certification to meet local or state legal requirements in order to perform the functions of an Apprentice/Resident Funeral Director, always working under the supervision of a licensed funeral director.
• Possess a valid Drivers’ License and meet the driving performance standards as determined by management. MVR’s may be reviewed annually for compliance, and any conviction or at-fault accidents should be immediately reported to management.
• Must have computer and software proficiency.

Essential Physical Responsibilities

• Ability to tolerate exposure to hazardous substances subject to government requirements; occasional lifting, pushing and pulling, with assistance, of objects up to approximately 600 pounds; manual dexterity required for clerical tasks; occasional stooping, bending, pushing, pulling and carrying objects weighing up to approximately 30 pounds for short distances.
• Ability to travel by standard methods of transportation.