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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Funeral Conductor

💰 $45,000 - $75,000

Funeral ServicesClient ServicesOperations

🎯 Role Definition

As a Funeral Conductor, you are the cornerstone of our service, providing compassionate guidance and meticulous coordination to families during their most difficult times. You will orchestrate every aspect of the funeral service, ensuring that the final tribute is a seamless, respectful, and personal reflection of the life lived. This role demands a unique blend of empathy, operational excellence, and unwavering professionalism, making a profound impact on the families we serve.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Funeral Director Apprentice or Intern
  • Mortuary Technician
  • Funeral Assistant or Attendant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Funeral Director
  • Funeral Home Manager / Location Manager
  • Regional Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Pre-need Sales Consultant
  • Embalmer (Specialist)
  • Celebrant or Grief Counselor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct and orchestrate funeral and memorial ceremonies with the utmost dignity, compassion, and professionalism, ensuring all proceedings run smoothly and according to the family's wishes.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for bereaved families, providing empathetic support and expert guidance from the initial arrangement conference through to post-service follow-up.
  • Meticulously plan and coordinate all logistical aspects of the funeral service, including casket/urn selection, venue booking, transportation, and scheduling of clergy or celebrants.
  • Lead and direct the funeral procession, pallbearers, and other funeral staff with precision and decorum, ensuring a safe and respectful journey to the final resting place.
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  • Prepare the deceased for viewing and services, which may include dressing, casketing, and cosmetology, in compliance with all health regulations and company standards.
  • Manage all necessary legal and administrative documentation, such as death certificates, burial permits, and other authorizations, ensuring accuracy and timely submission to relevant agencies.
  • Oversee the setup and teardown of the chapel, visitation rooms, and graveside services, including the thoughtful arrangement of floral tributes, memorabilia, and audiovisual equipment.
  • Liaise with external vendors and service providers, including cemeteries, crematories, florists, and caterers, to ensure seamless integration of all service components.
  • Provide comprehensive, transparent explanations of all service and merchandise options to families, helping them make informed decisions without pressure while adhering to FTC regulations.
  • Supervise, train, and mentor junior funeral staff, assistants, and apprentices, fostering a culture of compassion, excellence, and collaborative teamwork.
  • Ensure the funeral home facilities, fleet vehicles, and all operational equipment are maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and presentation.
  • Drive funeral vehicles, such as the hearse and family cars, in a safe, respectful, and professional manner as part of the funeral cortege.
  • Receive and transfer the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home, showing profound care and respect for both the deceased and the surrounding family members.
  • Assist with or perform embalming duties, if licensed and required, adhering to strict technical, ethical, and safety protocols.
  • Manage the inventory of caskets, urns, and other funeral merchandise, ensuring stock levels are appropriate and displays are well-maintained and presented.
  • Address and resolve any unforeseen issues or family concerns that may arise during the arrangement or service, demonstrating excellent problem-solving skills and composure under pressure.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation schedule for nights and weekends to respond to death calls and meet with families on an immediate-need basis.
  • Engage in community outreach and pre-need arrangement presentations to build relationships and educate the public on the value of funeral pre-planning.
  • Operate crematory equipment, if certified and applicable, following all operational and environmental safety procedures meticulously.
  • Maintain detailed, accurate, and confidential case files for each family, documenting all arrangements, communications, and financial transactions.
  • Assist families with the complex process of filing for insurance claims, Social Security benefits, and Veterans' benefits to ease their administrative burden.
  • Create personalized memorial materials, such as tribute videos, service programs, and online obituaries, to create a lasting and meaningful honor to the life of the deceased.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc requests from families and funeral home management.
  • Contribute to the funeral home's community engagement and outreach strategy.
  • Collaborate with the pre-need sales team to ensure a seamless transition for families.
  • Participate in regular team meetings and professional development sessions to enhance service quality.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • State Funeral Director & Embalmer License
  • Proficiency in Funeral Home Management Software (e.g., Osiris, CRäKN, Halcyon)
  • Knowledge of FTC Funeral Rule and State/Local Regulations
  • Valid State Driver's License with a clean driving record
  • Embalming & Restorative Arts (if licensed)
  • Crematory Operation Certification (preferred)
  • Logistical Planning & Event Coordination
  • Death Certificate and Permit Filing Procedures
  • Casketing, Dressing, and Cosmetology Application
  • Public Speaking & Service Officiation
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite & Basic AV Equipment

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Empathy and Compassion
  • Active Listening and Empathetic Communication
  • Poise and Composure Under Pressure
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail
  • Superior Organizational and Time Management Skills
  • Leadership and Team Direction
  • Discreet and Ethical Conduct
  • Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness
  • Problem-Solving and Adaptability
  • Professionalism and Unwavering Discretion

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science or Funeral Service Education from an ABFSE-accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science, Business Administration, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mortuary Science
  • Thanatology
  • Business Administration
  • Psychology/Counseling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of experience as a licensed Funeral Director or a completed, licensed Apprenticeship.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of experience in a high-volume funeral home, with proven experience leading arrangement conferences and directing a wide variety of services.
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