Landscape Designer - Funeral Center Grounds

Buchanan Group (BGI); Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Buchanan Group (BGI) is seeking a Landscape Designer for Funeral Center Grounds to design, enhance, and maintain welcoming landscapes across our funeral centers and properties. The role blends landscape design, horticulture, arboriculture, and grounds management to reflect dignity and care.

The ideal candidate will have strong plant knowledge, be able to develop practical, sustainable plans, manage projects, and coordinate with internal teams and outside vendors across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Certification or degree in landscape-related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of professional landscape experience.
• Experience coordinating landscape projects with contractors.
• ISA Arborist certification or willingness to obtain.
• Experience with CAD or GIS software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain landscape plans for funeral centers and properties.
• Evaluate landscapes and recommend improvements.
• Select plant and tree species based on site conditions.
• Monitor plant health and identify disease or pests.
• Oversee grounds standards: mowing, mulching, irrigation, weed control.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, and timelines.
• Coordinate landscape contractors to ensure quality and safety.
• Maintain landscape records and support long-term planning.
• Ensure grounds reflect dignity and welcome families.
• Travel between properties to inspect conditions.

Skills

Landscape design

Horticulture

Arboriculture

Grounds maintenance

Plant identification

Irrigation

Pest management

Project management

Communication

Driver's license / travel

Outdoor work / physical stamina

Education

Landscape Architecture degree

Horticulture degree

Arboriculture degree

Landscape Design degree

Plant Science degree

Turf Management degree

Tools

CAD

GIS

Job description

** We're looking for a Landscape Designer – Funeral Center Grounds to design, enhance, and maintain beautiful, welcoming landscapes across our funeral centers and properties. This role combines landscape design, horticulture, arboriculture, and grounds management to ensure our properties are safe, well-maintained, and reflective of the dignity and care we provide to families.**

Summary

The Landscape Designer – Funeral Center Grounds is responsible for the design, enhancement, and ongoing care of the landscape environments across Buchanan Group and Flanner Buchanan funeral centers and related properties. This position combines landscape design, horticulture, arboriculture, and grounds management to ensure properties are beautiful, safe, welcoming, and reflective of the dignity and care expected in a funeral service environment.

The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of plants, trees, landscape design, and property maintenance, with the ability to develop practical and sustainable landscape plans, manage improvement projects, and coordinate internal teams and outside vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and maintain landscape plans for funeral centers and other company properties, including trees, shrubs, flowers, turf, planting beds, and other landscape features
• Evaluate existing landscapes and recommend improvements, renovations, seasonal plantings, and long-term beautification projects
• Select appropriate plant and tree species based on site conditions, aesthetics, maintenance requirements, and long-term growth
• Monitor the health and condition of trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, and other plant material; identify disease, pests, damage, and other issues and recommend corrective action
• Apply sound arboricultural practices, including tree health assessment, pruning recommendations, hazard identification, and tree replacement planning
• Oversee routine grounds standards, including mowing, pruning, mulching, fertilization, irrigation, weed control, seasonal cleanup, and general landscape appearance
• Develop project scopes, material lists and timelines, propose and adhere to approved budgets for landscape improvements
• Coordinate and oversee landscape, irrigation, tree-care, and other specialty contractors to ensure quality, safety, and completion of projects
• Maintain landscape and tree-care records and assist with long-term property improvement planning and budgeting
• Ensure grounds are maintained in a manner that provides a peaceful, welcoming, and dignified environment for families and guests
• Coordinate landscape work around funeral services, visitations, and other events to minimize disruption
• Travel between company properties as needed to inspect conditions, manage projects, and support grounds teams

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of landscape design, horticulture, plant identification, and grounds maintenance
• Working knowledge of arboriculture, including tree health, pruning, disease identification, and tree risk awareness
• Ability to select appropriate plants and trees based on climate, soil, sunlight, drainage, mature size, and maintenance needs
• Ability to create or interpret landscape plans, planting plans, sketches, and site layouts
• Knowledge of irrigation, fertilization, soil preparation, mulching, weed control, and pest management
• Strong project management, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple properties, projects, vendors, and priorities
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high standards of property appearance
• Ability to communicate effectively with leadership, grounds employees, contractors, and vendors
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel between company properties
• Ability to work outdoors and perform the physical requirements associated with landscape and grounds work
• Must have reliable transportation

Required Education and Experience

• Certification, Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscape Design, Plant Science, Turf Management, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in landscape design, horticulture, arboriculture, commercial grounds management, or a related field
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered
• Experience coordinating landscape projects and outside contractors
• Arboriculture experience strongly preferred
• ISA Arborist certification or willingness to obtain certification preferred
• Pesticide applicator certification or willingness to obtain applicable certification preferred
• Experience with landscape design, CAD, GIS, or similar software preferred
• Primarily outdoors across funeral centers, cemeteries, and other company properties.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, dirt, dust, pollen, and insects.
• Regular walking, standing, bending, kneeling, lifting, digging, pruning, and other physical activities associated with grounds management.
• May operate or work around lawn and landscape equipment, tractors, utility vehicles, and other machinery.
• May occasionally work near funeral services, visitations, and family gatherings and must maintain a professional, respectful presence.
• Occasional early morning, evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required due to weather, seasonal needs, events, or urgent property issues.