Funeral Director Apprentice

Service Corporation International - China Grove, NC

Full-time - Entry Level

China Grove, NC

Personal and Laundry Services

About the position

The Funeral Director Apprentice role is designed for individuals seeking to gain hands-on experience in the funeral service industry under the guidance of a licensed funeral director. This position involves assisting families in making funeral arrangements, providing customer service, and ensuring respectful care for the deceased. The apprentice will learn to conduct ceremonies, manage contracts, and adhere to legal and regulatory requirements while supporting families during their time of loss.

Responsibilities

• Performs on-call responsibilities including taking first calls, talking with families, answering questions, and conducting transfers.
• Supervises and cares for the deceased in a respectful manner, including verifying identification, obtaining authorization for embalming, embalming, dressing, styling hair, and preparing cremated remains.
• Arranges and conducts funeral and memorial ceremonies in a professional and organized manner.
• Negotiates and enters into funeral contracts, handling legal documents and payment collection according to company policies.
• Ensures client families are informed of special recognition/services available for veterans and delivers selected recognition/services.
• Arranges for the interment or cremation of human remains and confirms authorization to proceed with service arrangements.
• Supervises/assists in funeral services, including parking supervision, ushering, driving funeral vehicles, and assisting at chapel, church, and cemetery services.
• Delivers flowers, caskets, urns, and personal keepsakes for client families, and sets up and removes chairs for services.
• Ensures adherence to all applicable professional, municipal, provincial/state, and federal regulations and rules.
• Provides aftercare in the absence of Family Service Counselor and shares potential pre-need referrals with Family Service Counselors.
• Prepares and accurately completes documents and online entries related to services and cremations.
• Retains heritage and grows market share through active involvement with community, religious, and other organizations.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of or currently enrolled in a dual degree training program at an accredited mortuary college or technical school specializing in funeral and mortuary science as required by state/province law.
• Typically requires a minimum of 6 months experience in a funeral home, crematory, or cemetery.
• Must meet all licensing requirements in applicable state/province as required by law.
• Current state/province issued driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Nice-to-haves

• Basic knowledge of religious and fraternal organizations customs.
• Knowledge of computers and software including MS Office Suite.
• High level of compassion and integrity.
• Good communication skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Ability to multi-task and set priorities.
• Detail-oriented.