If a funeral director’s job had to be summed up in a few words it would be best described as running the funeral home. But that’s a job that involves a lot of work and training just to get licensed. In many states higher education is also needed to get a funeral director license.
Here’s an inside look at what a funeral director does and the many roles they play at a funeral home.
The Primary Role of a Funeral Director
A funeral home must be licensed, but the person running it must be licensed as well. That person is the funeral director. A funeral director oversees the activities of the funeral home, essentially acting as a supervisor for everything that happens.
Typically, the funeral director is also the person at the funeral home who interacts with clients and families. And they’re responsible for ensuring that the funeral home operates according to local regulations and laws.
The job of a funeral director requires:
- Working directly with the family to arrange cremation or burial services.
- Ensuring all the paperwork is in place to legally provide disposition.
- Orchestrating funeral services and viewings prior to disposition.
- Coordinating with the individuals and entities like the medical examiner’s office, local hospitals and cemeteries.
- Tracking, storing and shipping cremated remains.
- Ensuring the funeral home facility stays up-to-code.
Being a funeral director is a big responsibility. The only way to get licensed as a funeral director is to either own a funeral home or be employed by one. It isn’t a job just anyone can have, and it’s a job few people are prepared to do.
Other Roles and Responsibilities the Funeral Director Might Have
All of the managerial and administrative work is a full-time job, but some funeral directors do even more. They can stand in for other positions to provide the funeral services they had a hand in arranging.
Crematory Operator
You have to have special training to be a crematory operator that controls the retort, and sometimes the funeral director is qualified for the job. Funeral homes know it’s a good idea to have more than one operator, and the funeral director is the most sensible stand-in.
Embalmer
Often the funeral director is the person who handles embalming, if the service is offered. Like operating cremation equipment, embalming requires training and certification because it involves dangerous chemicals.
Transport
If needed, a funeral director will even help out with transport to the funeral home. This is a common practice at family funeral homes.
Marketing and PR
It’s not uncommon for the funeral director to be the face of the funeral home and have a hand in marketing its services. If there’s an interview or content on social media, the funeral director is usually the source.
The funeral director at Direct Cremate works one-on-one with you to arrange direct cremation as easily and conveniently as possible. You can reach us by phone or text at any time, seven days a week.
