Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers — Tasks

Task statements

• Receive or usher people to their seats for services.
• Clean funeral home facilities and grounds.
• Participate in community activities for funeral home promotion or other purposes.
• Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
• Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
• Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
• Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
• Remove deceased remains from place of death.
• Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
• Plan, schedule, or coordinate funerals, burials, or cremations, arranging details such as floral delivery or the time and place of services.
• Close caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.
• Provide information on funeral service options, products, or merchandise, and maintain a casket display area.
• Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
• Direct preparations and shipment of bodies for out-of-state burial.
• Discuss and negotiate prearranged funerals with clients.
• Maintain financial records, order merchandise, or prepare accounts.
• Provide or arrange transportation between sites for the remains, mourners, pallbearers, clergy, or flowers.
• Arrange for clergy members to perform needed services.
• Plan placement of caskets at funeral sites or place or adjust lights, fixtures, or floral displays.
• Manage funeral home operations, including the hiring, training, or supervision of embalmers, funeral attendants, or other staff.
• Inform survivors of benefits for which they may be eligible.
• Arrange for pallbearers or inform pallbearers or honorary groups of their duties.