Funeral Director - FT

Heritage Family Funeral Services, Inc; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Heritage Family Funeral Services, Inc. in Kalamazoo, MI seeks a dedicated Funeral Director/Embalmer to deliver compassionate, high-quality funeral services.

Responsibilities include planning and conducting services, coordinating logistics, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, with embalming duties performed by licensed personnel when applicable. Ideal candidates hold a state license, have Mortuary Science degrees, and demonstrate empathy, ethical judgment, and strong communication

Qualifications

• Must hold state Funeral Director license or be eligible for reciprocity.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science from an accredited institution.
• Strong communication skills and ethical judgment.

Responsibilities

• Meet with families to plan and arrange funeral, cremation, and memorial services, and guide options and merchandise.
• Coordinate all aspects of ceremonies including transportation, clergy, cemetery arrangements, and logistics.
• Clearly disclose costs and understand GPL and payment policies.
• Process necessary documentation like death certificates and permits, ensuring compliance.
• Maintain records and manage accounts receivable within company policy.
• Oversee operations of the funeral home, facilities, and equipment.
• Provide follow-up care and support to families and community outreach.

Skills

Empathy

Interpersonal communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Education

Mortuary Science degree

Tools

Funeral home software

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Job description

Since 1943, Heritage Family has been a trusted name in personal, compassionate care. Our legacy is built onmeaningful service, deep respect, and a commitment to honoring every life.

At Heritage Family, we offer more than a job — we offer purpose. Our team is united by shared values and a mission that matters:

• Honor Every Life with Compassion: We provide personalized, heartfelt services that celebrate each unique life, meeting families where they are with care and understanding.
• Lead with Innovation and Respect: We blend time-honored traditions with modern approaches to create thoughtful, meaningful experiences for the families we serve.
• Foster a Culture of Empathy: We care deeply — for our communities and for one another. You’ll join a team that supports and values every voice, empowering you to make a lasting difference.

A career in deathcare is both a calling and a responsibility. At Heritage Family, you’ll find a supportive environment where you can grow professionally while helping others in some of life’s most tender and meaningful moments.

Position Summary:

The Funeral Director or Funeral Director/Embalmer plays a key role in delivering compassionate, high-quality funeral services. Depending on licensure, responsibilities include planning and conducting funeral, memorial, and cremation services, managing care for deceased, and supporting day-to-day operational excellence. Licensed embalmers will also be responsible for embalming and preparing decedents in accordance with safety regulations and professional standards. This role requires a thorough understanding of funeral service laws, strong ethical judgement, and a deep commitment to serving families with care and professionalism. On-call and weekend availability is required as part of a rotating schedule.

Note: Embalming-related duties apply only to individuals licensed as Embalmers. Licensed Funeral Directors without an embalming license are not expected to perform those functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Funeral Director or Funeral Director/Embalmer ensures services are delivered with dignity, empathy, and professionalism. Responsibilities may include:

• Meeting with families to plan and arrange funeral, cremation, and memorial services, while offering compassionate guidance on available options, merchandise, and related services.
• Coordinating all aspects of funeral and memorial ceremonies, including transportation, clergy, cemetery arrangements, and service logistics to align with family wishes and legal requirements.
• Confidently, clearly and professionally disclosing service and merchandise costs, including a thorough understanding of your location’s General Price List (GPL) and Heritage Family’s payment policies.
• Requesting and collecting payment at the time of arrangement in accordance with company policy, and maintaining accurate, confidential financial records.
• Responsible for maintaining an average accounts receivable balance of less than 30 days by coordinating with families and with the administrative team as needed.
• Preparing and processing necessary documentation such as death certificates, burial permits, cremation authorizations, and pre-need contracts, ensuring full compliance with all legal and regulatory standards.
• Managing both pre-need and at-need arrangements in accordance with internal policies, applicable regulations, and ethical standards.
• Maintaining proper identification and respectful care of the deceased throughout all preparation and transportation procedures.
• Making transfers with respect and professionalism.
• Performing embalming, dressing, casketing, and cosmetology in accordance with the industry’s best practices and health and safety regulations.
• Ensuring the cleanliness, sanitation, and readiness of the embalming and preparation areas, and maintaining compliance with OSHA and other regulatory standards.
• Overseeing funeral home operations including facilities, equipment, and vehicles to ensure a high standard of service and presentation.
• Participating in community outreach, representing the funeral home professionally and compassionately.
• Providing follow-up care and communication with families to ensure satisfaction and continued support.
• Supervising, mentoring, and training apprentices, funeral assistants, and part-time staff to ensure operational consistency and professional development.

Skills and Qualifications

The Funeral Director or Funeral Director/Embalmer must meet the following qualifications and requirements:

• Current Funeral Director or Funeral Director/Embalmer license required in the State of Practice or be eligible for reciprocity.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science from an accredited institution, as required by the State of Practice.
• Compliance with all state‑mandated continuing education (CE) requirements for Funeral Directors or Funeral Directors/Embalmers.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state regulations governing funeral service, including OSHA requirements and FTC Funeral Rule compliance.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to deliver compassionate and professional service to families.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment with the ability to manage multiple tasks, solve problems effectively, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and handle sensitive situations with discretion.
• Proficiency with funeral home software, Microsoft Office applications, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
• Flexible schedule with availability for evenings, weekends, and on-call shifts.
• Responsible for staying current with and respond to company communications and in a timely and professional manner.
• Must successfully pass a background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. Must maintain insurability under company vehicle use policies.

Skills and Competencies:

The Funeral Director or Funeral Director/Embalmer must demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

• Empathy, professionalism, and a strong commitment to serving grieving families.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Problem‑solving and organizational skills.
• Emotional resilience, composure, and discretion in emotionally sensitive environments.
• Technical proficiency in funeral management software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

The Funeral Director or Funeral Director/Embalmer role requires both physical stamina and emotional resilience to perform essential duties in a professional and compassionate setting. The work environment and physical expectations include:

• Work occurs in funeral homes, preparation rooms, cemeteries, and off‑site service locations.
• Frequent interaction with grieving families and the public; emotional resilience and professionalism are essential.
• Ability to lift or move up to 75 pounds (e.g., caskets or equipment) with or without assistance.
• Regular exposure to hazardous chemicals and biological agents associated with embalming and mortuary preparation.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and lift for extended periods.
• Flexible availability including evening, weekend, holidays, and on-call rotation.
• Possible exposure to varying outdoor weather conditions during services or transfers.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required during preparation procedures.

Heritage Operating, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and to recruiting, hiring, and retaining individuals based on their qualifications and abilities—without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.