MightyRecruiterFuneral attendants assist with the preparation of funeral services and help during the services. They may set up the casket, including arranging flowers and lights. During the service, attendants may greet mourners and help with seating. They may be in charge of storing, moving and arranging equipment and items used during funerals.
In creating your funeral attendant job description, you should mention the importance of a caring and supportive attitude. An attendant needs to be able to work closely with people who are going through the grieving process and understand how to properly assist them with their funeral planning needs.
Attendants also need to be comfortable working with and around the deceased. Use the following example as a guide to assist you with creating your funeral attendant job description.
Funeral Attendant Job Summary
Work under the supervision of an experienced funeral director to help grieving families give their loved ones a final goodbye that is dignified and respectful. We strive to always put a professional edge on our services while also being caring and helpful. You will work with a small team to prepare and conduct funeral services in our newly-remodeled parlor. You should be comfortable working directly with clients and family members of the deceased. If you want to help people in a time of need, this may be the job for you. We want to help you grow your career in the funeral services field, so we do offer plenty of opportunities for advancement.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide transportation for clients and their loved ones to and from the coroner, funeral parlor and grave yard
- Prepare the parlor area by cleaning, setting up lights and arranging flowers and setting up chairs and other seating for viewings and services
- Assist guests as they arrive at funeral events by directing parking, greeting them and leading them to the correct parlor or chapel area
- Answer questions and offer assistance to clients in coordination with the funeral director to help arrange funeral services
- Work with a team to prepare parlor and burial sites with personalized items as requested by clients
- Clean, store and move funeral equipment as needed to set up and clean up after funeral services
- Answer phone calls and set up meetings for the funeral director, answer general questions about the funeral parlor and services offered and assist director with making legal and other administrative arrangements for scheduled funerals
- Perform embalming and other body preparation tasks under the direct supervision of the funeral director
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- High school diploma or GED
- Ability to lift at least 75 pounds
- Valid driver’s license
- Available to work nights, weekends, holidays and to be on call
- Must have an attention to detail and excellent communication skills
Preferred:
- A desire to advance in the field of mortuary science
- Experience working in customer service
- Fluent in Spanish
Funeral Attendant Job Responsibilities
Hiring the right people is crucial in the funeral industry. There are few businesses that require more tact, care and concern. The first step in finding the perfect candidate is to carefully write your funeral attendant job description. When crafting the job responsibilities section of the posting, be realistic and accurate in describing the tasks your funeral attendant will perform. Don’t gloss over responsibilities that some jobseekers may find unappealing because it is important to get applicants who really can do the work. Point out the positive qualities of your company and let the jobseeker know they can grow with your business.
For your funeral attendant job description, you should use a bulleted list to outline the funeral attendant responsibilities, but don’t let the list get too long. It needs to be easy to skim and understand. Focus on the most important tasks to give the jobseeker a clear idea of what you will expect him or her to do. Frame the statements in a way that reflects the customer-oriented nature of the work and shows the prospective employee that service is the most important aspect of the job.
Here are possible funeral attendant job responsibilities written as described above:
- Greet and receive families in an appropriate manner
- Offer friendly assistance to all those entering the facilities
- Give special attention to assisting the elderly or others
- Perform a variety of tasks to help funerals run smoothly
- Drive hearse or family limousine in the funeral cortege
Funeral Attendant Job Specifications
A strong job qualifications and skills section is also crucial to your funeral attendant job description. You don’t want to waste your time wading through applications from underqualified or overqualified jobseekers. By carefully considering what skills your position requires, you can narrow the prospective candidates to those who have the necessary background. Do you want to hire someone with experience? How much education should they have? Decide which qualifications are must-haves and which are merely preferred, and delineate them clearly in the list.
Remember that it’s okay to list people skills as a requirement as well. Your funeral attendant job description should reflect the true nature of the work, and certainly the ability to assist clients in a difficult time is key to the position. Qualifications and skills aren’t just technical or educational; they can and should include all the social competencies that the funeral profession demands. Once again, use a bulleted list with succinct statements so the jobseeker can quickly determine if she or he has what it takes to be a funeral attendant.
Below are some funeral attendant job specifications to consider:
- Ability to show compassion toward others
- Aptitude for remaining calm in stressful situations
- Excellent written and verbal skills
- Capable of lifting 75 pounds
- Current driver’s license
- Can pass a background check
