Funeral Director

Service Corporation International; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Service Corporation International seeks a Funeral Services Counselor to guide families through arrangements, coordinate services, and present cemetery and merchandise options. The role requires empathetic communication, attention to detail, and adherence to company standards.

As a key client-facing professional, you will manage arrangements conferences, MC ceremonies, and post-service activities while ensuring compliance with local regulations and corporate policies.

Qualifications

• Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
• Current Funeral Director license within the practicing state.
• Valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving record required to operate company owned vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Arrange and coordinate funeral services and arrangements with families.
• Greet families and guide them through the funeral planning process.
• Oversee arrangements conference and present cemetery property and merchandise options.
• Coordinate event planning related tasks (music, flowers, catering) for arrangements.
• Preside as MC for visitations, funerals, or graveside services as per company standards.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and company policies in all activities.

Skills

Cognitive Ability

Public speaking

Written and verbal communication

Relationship building

MS Office proficiency

Database usage

Education

Mortuary science degree

Funeral Director license

Valid state driver’s license

Tools

MS Office

Databases

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Arrangements Conference Receives or initiates call to deceased next of kin.
• Exhibiting concern and empathy, obtains or confirms deceased and family contact information, briefly discusses needs (including languages), schedules Arrangement appointment, and emails appointment confirmation.
• May perform removals or transfers adhering to company standards and processes.
• Cares for deceased in a respectful manner.
• Updates removal status in proprietary software.
• Greets next of kin and escorts to meeting space.
• Initiates and facilitates Arrangements Conference while assessing needs and summarizing desired outcomes.
• Discusses available life insurance and available benefits, such as Veteran.
• Promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise such as catering, flowers, music, and Ever Lasting Memory products.
• Transitions Arrangement Conference to Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor to present cemetery property and merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion.
• In absence of an FSA/FSC, may perform FSA/FSC responsibilities.
• Responsible for reviewing and authorizing merchandise and service contract revisions.
• Directing Services Confirms authorization to proceed with service Arrangements.
• Presides as Master of Ceremonies (MC) for visitation, funeral, or graveside services in a professional, organized, and caring manner consistent with Company standards.
• Shall be present for graveside services included in the purchase agreement.
• Shall be present when the casket containing a human body is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault and verifies that any personal belongings are removed from the deceased prior to burial per the Arrangements.
• Visually inspects deceased, adjusts casket dressing, deceased attire or makeup, or communicates concerns to preparation staff.
• Visually inspects Services Arrangements (visitation, funeral, or graveside) against contractual arrangements and the next of kin expectations; initiates corrective action as appropriate; may provide instruction or guidance to services team members.
• Interacts with the family to fulfill the death care requests.
• While interacting with family and guests, obtains leads for pre-need services.

Event Planning

• Perform a variety of event planning responsibilities including but not limited to resource planning and ordering of music, flowers, or catering to fulfill Arrangement requests.
• Produces MeM products that may include scanning photos, ordering of memorabilia or stationary, creating electronic presentations, writing obituaries, and creating on-line memorials.
• Prior to event, prepares event room including but not limited to set-up chairs, tables, flowers, guest books, and appropriate décor.
• Post event cleans chairs, tables, floors, proper storage of items, identifies property in need of repair, and courier/deliver family memorabilia to home.
• May perform a variety of attendant duties including but not limited to parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier.
• May attend community or charity events to represent and promote the location or market.

General

• Works under general guidance.
• New associates are learning to apply licensure to business environment complying with regulations, policies, and procedures; work may be peer reviewed for accuracy, quality, and education; collaborates with peers or manager for assistance and guidance.
• Exhibits accountability for behaviors.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Takes the initiative to discuss assignments, expectations, priorities and deadlines as well as seek guidance and coaching from manager.
• Notifies manager when workload is light and volunteers for additional work.
• Adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Education & Licenses
• Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science
• Current Funeral Director license within the practicing state
• Valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving record required to operate company owned vehicles
• Experience: Industry experience is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Cognitive Ability including reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, learn from experience, and appropriately apply learning to new situations.
• Process and results oriented, motivated to keep projects moving ahead by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives
• Must have a positive attitude, a drive to continually advance your understanding of the industry and business, and is highly self-motivated
• Ability to build professional and trusting business relations
• Professional written and verbal communication skills
• Public speaking skills with the ability to influence and gain consensus
• Proficient using databases in automated processes
• Proficient MS Office skills

Work Conditions

• Environment - Work is both indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather
• Attire - professional business attire required when in contact with families
• Postures – Frequent continuous period of time sitting or standing up to 6 hours per day; frequently climbing stairs to access buildings
• Physical Demands – Physical effort requiring manual dexterity is required, includes paperwork, calculators, computers and phone usage Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps
• Hours: Flexibility of availability may be necessary as services may occur outside of normal business hours and working nights and weekends is frequently necessary

Job Location and Details

Postal Code: 22042 Category (Portal Searching): Operations Job Location: US-VA - Falls Church

Who we are. What we do.

We are a company committed to supporting families at difficult times. Nowhere will you find a group of caregivers and teams more passionate about the work they do or more invested in the well‑being of the families they serve. The Dignity Memorial name is a symbol of trust and a mark of excellence. As the largest provider of funeral, cemetery and cremation services in North America, we're dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of every loved one with professionalism, compassion and attention to detail that is second to none.

"SCI" refers to Service Corporation International and its affiliates.

Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V SCI Shared Resources, LLC is committed to an inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and selection process. On request, we will seek to provide appropriate accessibility options to all applicants with disabilities.