Funeral Director Career Description
The funeral director and the arrangement officer take care of all the arrangements for a funeral on behalf of the deceased's family.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
At the office of a funeral director/undertaker all the tasks concerning a funeral are divided among two persons - the funeral director or undertaker and an arrangement officer. The tasks of a funeral director and an arrangement officer include:
The rendering of services
The funeral director and the arrangement officer offer a complete service to the public with regard to all arrangements that have to be made at a death. The funeral director collects the body (in case of death as a result of natural causes such as illness or heart failure) and takes it to the undertaker's business premises where it is placed in a cooling unit. The arrangement officer then makes arrangements for the funeral/cremation with the next of kin.
The day, place and time of the funeral, as well as all other arrangements can be done by the arrangement officer. The arrangement officer has to support the next of kin throughout and offer them assistance.
Funeral directors have to see that all the procedures that are prescribed by the authorities are adhered to and they also prepare the coffin and the body for the funeral. On the day of the cremation or funeral, the funeral director takes the body to the church or chapel for the service.
After the service the funeral director is responsible for the transport of the body to the cemetery and the ceremony at the grave. In case of a cremation service the funeral director has to take the body to the crematorium and do the necessary administration there.
The funeral director as well as the arrangement officer has to have knowledge of
the customs of different cultural groups at the death of a beloved. Marketing
The funeral director and especially the arrangement officer are also involved in the marketing of services as well as products in this industry. Most of the bigger funeral director's businesses offer information on a variety of funeral packages and policies. They also offer different kinds of coffins and wreaths and can also be involved in the choice of a gravestone.
Administration
The funeral director and especially the arrangement officer, both have a great deal of administrative work. They have to ensure that the arrangements will proceed smoothly in order to spare the family any inconvenience.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
The funeral director and the arrangement officer have to be able to communicate with people and to support and comfort them. They must be able to act sympathetically, but firm in every situation. They must have a deep respect for the dignity of the deceased and handle them in a worthy manner. This work can be emotionally exhausting and sometimes can be seen more as a service to fellow men and a calling, than as a career.
Where can I work?
The funeral director and arrangement officer can work at any funeral director's business.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
It is possible to start one's own funeral service business if one has a lot of capital and knowledge of the industry.
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