Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Funeral Services Assistant
💰 $32,000 - $55,000
Client ServicesOperationsHealthcare Support
🎯 Role Definition
As a Funeral Services Assistant, you are the cornerstone of support within our funeral home, providing essential assistance to both our licensed Funeral Directors and the families we serve. Your role is multifaceted, blending compassionate client service with hands-on operational duties. You will be a calm and reassuring presence for grieving families, guiding them through visitations and services with grace and professionalism. Your duties will span from the initial transfer of the deceased to the final preparations for services, ensuring every detail is handled with the utmost respect, dignity, and care. This position requires a person with a strong sense of purpose, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in service.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Customer Service or Hospitality Roles (e.g., Hotel Concierge, Event Staff)
- Healthcare Support (e.g., Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient Care Technician)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or First Responder
Advancement To:
- Licensed Funeral Director or Embalmer (requires an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mortuary Science and licensure)
- Funeral Service Arranger or Arrangement Counselor
- Funeral Home Manager or Operations Manager
Lateral Moves:
- Pre-Need Sales Counselor
- Cemetery Services Associate
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Greet and assist bereaved family members and friends upon their arrival at the funeral home, offering guidance, comfort, and support throughout visitations and services.
- Participate in the dignified and professional transfer of the deceased from the place of death (hospital, residence, or care facility) to the funeral home.
- Assist with the preparation of the deceased for viewing, which may include dressing, cosmetology, and casketing, always adhering to the highest standards of care.
- Prepare and arrange the chapel, staterooms, and visitation areas for services, including the thoughtful placement of flowers, photographs, and memorial items.
- Act as a pallbearer, lead cortege, and drive funeral vehicles such as the hearse, flower car, and limousines in a safe and professional manner.
- Provide direct support to Funeral Directors during funeral services, memorial services, and graveside committals, ensuring all logistical elements run smoothly.
- Manage and direct parking for large services to ensure a safe and orderly flow of traffic for all attendees.
- Answer incoming phone calls with a high degree of empathy and professionalism, providing information, taking messages, and directing calls appropriately.
- Assist families with the completion of necessary paperwork, including vital statistics for death certificates, obituary information, and various permits.
- Ensure the funeral home, including chapels, reception areas, and grounds, is maintained in a pristine, clean, and welcoming condition at all times.
- Coordinate logistical details with external partners such as clergy, musicians, cemeteries, and crematories to ensure a seamless service experience.
- Prepare, set up, and operate audio/visual equipment for video tributes, music, and live streaming of services.
- Oversee the arrangement and transport of floral tributes, ensuring they are properly displayed and moved between service locations.
- Maintain a thorough inventory of funeral home supplies, including casket selections, memorial products, and operational materials, and assist with ordering.
- Provide aftercare resources and information to families following the service, connecting them with grief support and other community resources.
- Escort family and friends to their seats, providing programs and other materials as needed before the service begins.
- Respond to after-hours calls and dispatches on a rotational basis, demonstrating reliability and a commitment to 24/7 service.
- Uphold and strictly adhere to all company policies, as well as federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to the funeral service industry.
- Assist in the preparation and placement of obituary notices in local newspapers and on the company website.
- Maintain the cleanliness, stocking, and readiness of all funeral home vehicles to ensure they are prepared for service at any time.
Secondary Functions
- Perform light groundskeeping and exterior maintenance tasks to ensure the facility's curb appeal reflects our high standards.
- Assist with the planning and execution of community outreach programs, memorial events, and pre-planning seminars.
- Support administrative staff with data entry, filing, and the creation of memorial stationery like register books and prayer cards.
- Participate in regular team meetings and training sessions to stay current on industry best practices and company procedures.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Valid State Driver's License with a clean driving record, with the ability to drive larger vehicles.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook) and a capacity to learn industry-specific software (e.g., funeral management systems).
- Basic knowledge of audio/visual equipment setup and troubleshooting for services.
- Physical ability to lift and move heavy objects (in excess of 75 lbs) with assistance, as required for transfers and casket handling.
- Understanding of proper telephone etiquette and multi-line phone systems.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional levels of compassion, empathy, and the ability to provide comfort to individuals in distress.
- Unwavering professionalism and a polished, respectful demeanor in all interactions.
- Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and gently.
- High degree of discretion and the ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
- Meticulous attention to detail and outstanding organizational skills to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to remain calm, composed, and decisive in stressful and emotionally charged situations.
- A strong work ethic and the flexibility to work long hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a willingness to assist colleagues wherever needed.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Preferred Education:
- Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science, Funeral Service Arts, Business, or a related field.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Mortuary Science
- Grief Counseling
- Hospitality Management
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years in a role requiring direct customer service or caregiving.
Preferred:
- Prior experience working in a funeral home, crematory, cemetery, hospice, or hospital setting is highly advantageous.
- Demonstrable experience in a role requiring a high level of compassion and professionalism when dealing with the public.