Service Director

Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in Los Angeles seeks a courteous Funeral Service professional to lead and coordinate services, serve as the primary contact for families, guests, clergy, and vendors, and ensure every ceremony is conducted with dignity and respect.

This role directs funeral, memorial, graveside, and committal services; oversees staff, chapels, and equipment; reviews permits and paperwork; and maintains confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Armenian-speaking preferred.
• At least three years of funeral service, hospitality, or customer service experience recommended.
• Must be able to direct a service and speak confidently to guests.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and AV systems.

Responsibilities

• Represent Forest Lawn in a courteous, compassionate, and professional manner for families, guests, clergy, and vendors.
• Lead and direct funeral, memorial, graveside, and committal services with excellence and attention to detail.
• Serve as the primary contact for families on the day of services, providing guidance and communication.
• Ensure services follow family wishes, Forest Lawn standards, policies, and legal requirements.
• Review service documentation, permits, and paperwork for accuracy before services.
• Coordinate and direct Service Assistants and oversee setup of chapels, visitation rooms, and reception areas.
• Provide direction for casket bearing, military honors, and ceremonial elements with dignity.
• Maintain confidentiality of all family, decedent, and service information.
• Complete comprehensive written service reports and documentation on the day of services.
• Assist with training and mentoring Service Assistants on procedures and safety.
• Maintain clean, safe, and presentable facilities, service areas, vehicles, and equipment.
• Attend required safety, departmental, and employee meetings.

Skills

Armenian-Speaking

Public speaking

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

A/V system operation

Job description

Brief Description

Serving all faiths and cultures, Forest Lawn's Funeral Service Department is dedicated to ensuring that every funeral exceeds the expectations of the families we serve. Whether a traditional funeral service or a completely individualized ceremony is chosen, our goal is to provide compassionate guidance, seamless coordination, and exceptional service while honoring every life with dignity and respect.

Brief Description

Serving all faiths and cultures, Forest Lawn's Funeral Service Department is dedicated to ensuring that every funeral exceeds the expectations of the families we serve. Whether a traditional funeral service or a completely individualized ceremony is chosen, our goal is to provide compassionate guidance, seamless coordination, and exceptional service while honoring every life with dignity and respect.

What You'll Be Doing

• Represent Forest Lawn in a courteous, compassionate, and professional manner while serving as the primary Funeral Service representative for client families, guests, clergy, and vendors.
• Lead and direct funeral, memorial, graveside, and committal services, ensuring every service is executed with excellence and attention to detail.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for families on the day of services, providing guidance, support, and timely communication throughout the event.
• Ensure all services are conducted in accordance with family wishes, Forest Lawn standards, applicable policies, and legal requirements.
• Review service documentation, permits, authorizations, and other required paperwork for accuracy and completeness prior to services.
• Coordinate and direct Service Assistants, assigning responsibilities and ensuring service preparations, guest assistance, floral placement, and facility readiness are completed.
• Oversee the setup and presentation of chapels, visitation rooms, gravesites, and reception areas to ensure a professional and welcoming environment.
• Provide direction for casket bearing, military honors, processions, and other ceremonial elements while maintaining dignity and professionalism.
• Confirm decedent identification and oversee the preparation and transportation of decedents as necessary.
• Operate Funeral Service vehicles and equipment safely and in accordance with company policies.
• Identify and resolve service-related concerns while exercising sound judgment to ensure a positive experience for client families and guests.
• Maintain confidentiality of all family, decedent, and service information.
• Complete comprehensive written service reports and all required documentation accurately and on the same day services are performed.
• Assist with training, coaching, and mentoring Service Assistants on funeral service procedures, safety practices, and Forest Lawn standards.
• Contribute to maintaining clean, safe, and presentable facilities, service areas, vehicles, and equipment.
• Attend all required safety, departmental, and employee meetings.
• Occasional hands-on contact with decedents as required.

Requirements

• Armenian-Speaking Preferred
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• At least three years of previous funeral service experience preferred or hospitality or customer service experience;\
• Must be able to direct a service and confidently speak in front of guests.
• Must understand the emotional and psychological effects of death as it relates to interactions with client families
• Must have availability for a changing schedule based on service needs. Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays. Ability to work overtime.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Have a comprehensive knowledge of the A/V system used during funeral services, and the ability to assist in the training with technology, as well as assist in the troubleshooting of the equipment when needed.
• Valid California Driver’s License.

Competitive Benefits

Forest Lawn takes pride in offering an excellent benefits package to our employees, which taken as a whole, leads our industry and is competitive with the benefits in just about any other industry.

Drug Testing Policy

Prior to beginning employment, all job applicants who receive a job offer will be required to voluntarily submit to a drug screening test conducted by a laboratory designated by Forest Lawn. The drug screening method is a hair collection test that will detect the use of illegal drugs within the past 90 days. A positive drug test may result in the withdrawal of the job offer.

E-Verify Statement

Forest Lawn has registered to participate in the federal government's E-Verify program. With E-Verify we are able to confirm the employment authorization of all newly hired employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. With respect to new hires, the E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with a new hire's completion of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification upon commencement of employment. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates.

For up-to-date information on E-Verify, go to https://www.e-verify.gov/employees/e-verify-overview.

Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Forest Lawn will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Summary

Forest Lawn has always attracted unique and exceptional individuals; those who aren’t satisfied with simply building a career, but want to go home at the end of the day knowing they’ve made a profound and positive difference in people’s lives.