Funeral Associate

Resurrection, A United Methodist Church; Leawood (KS); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Resurrection, A United Methodist Church in Leawood, KS, is seeking a part‑time Funeral Associate to provide compassionate, hands‑on support for funerals and memorial services. You will assist with space preparation, welcomes families, and help with service logistics on a variable schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Under the Funeral Coordinator, you will ensure hospitality and care for families, manage transitions, and help maintain a dignified environment.

Qualifications

• Heart for serving individuals and families experiencing grief.
• Dependability and punctuality in a funeral setting.
• Ability to take direction and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Prepare visitation, worship, and reception spaces before services.
• Welcome families and guests with warmth and respect; assist with directions and seating.
• Assist with transitions between visitation, service, and reception; help with refreshments as needed.
• Gather and pack family belongings and memories after the service; restore spaces before leaving.

Skills

Empathy

Punctuality

Teamwork

Adaptability

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Funeral Associate

Hourly Part-Time Service Worker Leawood, KS, US

Have you often felt like you wanted your work to have meaning? Every day, Resurrection staff members are doing work that matters with people who care. Resurrection’s purpose since its conception in 1990 is to “build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.” Join our team and see how your contributions move the needle in transforming the world.

Resurrection has an opening for a Funeral Associate role! This position is part-time, nonexempt and is located at our Leawood campus located at 13720 Roe Avenue.

Job Summary

The Funeral Associate provides compassionate, hands‑on support for funerals and memorial services at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church. Working under the direction of the Funeral Coordinator, the Funeral Associate helps prepare spaces, welcomes families and guests, assists with service logistics, and helps ensure each family experiences exceptional care and hospitality on the day of the service. This is a part‑time, variable‑schedule role: Funeral Associates are not responsible for advance planning with families, and hours vary based on the number and timing of funeral and memorial services.

Essential Responsibilities and Expectations:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties.

Position‑Specific

Service Preparation

• Arrive in advance of the service to assist the Funeral Coordinator with preparation and setup.
• Prepare visitation, worship, and reception spaces as needed.
• Set up and arrange tables, chairs, easels, memorabilia displays, guest books, flowers, signage, and other service materials.
• Ensure spaces are clean, organized, and welcoming before the family and guests arrive.
• Assist with receiving and appropriately placing flowers and other items delivered for the service.

Family & Guest Hospitality

• Welcome families and guests with warmth, compassion, and respect.
• Provide directions and help guests navigate Resurrection facilities.
• Assist with doors, seating, reserved seating, guest flow, and visitation as needed.
• Pay attention to the needs of families and guests and proactively offer assistance.
• Provide additional assistance to guests who may have mobility or accessibility needs.

Service & Reception Support

• Follow the direction of the Funeral Coordinator throughout the service.
• Assist with transitions between visitation, the service, reception, and inurnment when applicable.
• Help prepare reception spaces during the service when needed.
• Assist with serving and replenishing refreshments when appropriate.
• Respond flexibly to changing needs and unexpected situations.
• Help gather and pack family belongings, memorabilia, flowers, and other items following the service.
• Clean and restore spaces before leaving.

Guest Experience

• Model Resurrection's Guest Experience Standards in every interaction:
• Guests Come First – Notice people, anticipate needs, and willingly step in to help.
• We Strive for Excellence – Recognize that details matter and complete each responsibility with care.
• Everyone Belongs – Welcome every family and guest with kindness, dignity, compassion, and respect.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Follow Jesus and engage in the "five essential practices" of the Christian life: worship, study, serve, give, and share.
• Support the church’s purpose of "building a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people become deeply committed Christians."
• Exemplify the church's values and support its theological direction as a United Methodist Church.
• Cultivating Relationships –builds genuine, gracious, and personable connections with others by consistently demonstrating humility, friendliness, encouragement, and approachability, creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and engaged.
• Exercising Relational Awareness –reads interpersonal dynamics accurately and adjusts behavior with sensitivity and respect, balancing emotional awareness with accountability and mission focus.
• Focusing on Details –pays attention to important details, avoiding errors and fine‑tuning the results for maximum impact.
• Following Processes –gets work done as effectively and efficiently as possible by following optimal processes.
• Adapting –remains flexible and modifies behaviors quickly to help the church meet the dynamic needs of congregants and employees.
• Prioritizing Individual Experiences –views the church in the perspective of the experience of the individual, and ensures others are committed to a person‑centric approach.

Qualifications

• Physical requirements: Ability to stand and walk for several hours at a time, lift and carry up to 30 pounds, and set up, move, and take down tables, chairs, easels, displays, and other funeral‑related materials while moving throughout Resurrection facilities to assist families and guests.

Required

• A heart for serving individuals and families experiencing grief and loss.
• Warm, welcoming, and compassionate interpersonal skills.
• Dependability and punctuality.
• Ability to take direction and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to notice needs and take appropriate initiative without waiting to be asked.
• Flexibility and the ability to remain calm when circumstances or service needs change.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional and ministry boundaries.
• Availability to serve a current expectation of approximately three funeral or memorial services per month, with schedule and hours varying based on family needs, including weekdays and Saturdays.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Resurrection and its ministries.