Mortuary Science Jobs

JOB TITLE:  FUNERAL DIRECTOR INTERN 

REPORTS TO:  PRECEPTOR

DATE REVISED:  December 2019

SUMMARY:   The funeral director intern is responsible for learning about, and participating in, the process of final disposition arrangements of the deceased in a professional, compassionate manner consistent with the wishes of the family, the standards of Cedar Memorial and related legal requirements.  The intern will work under the supervision of a preceptor to provide sensitive, effective personal service to bereaved family members and friends of the deceased.  This position will learn to effectively coordinate the work of other funeral home staff in carrying out these arrangements in a manner that exceeds the expectations of the families served.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:  These duties may be changed or added to at any time.                                                                           

• Learns how to collect information during the initial death call from the family of the deceased and coordinates with a licensed funeral director to bring the deceased into the care of Cedar Memorial or Iowa Cremation.
   
• Practices all chain-of-custody processes and procedures including but not limited to completing the log-in sheet, creation of the ID bracelet and the collection of decedent's thumb print. 
   
• Learns to set the features of the deceased for final viewing and prepares deceased for cremation process. Learns best practices for embalming and cremating.
                                                                                                        
  
• Under the supervision of the preceptor, meets with immediate family members or designated representative to provide emotional support and to determine their wishes concerning the care and disposition of the deceased.
   
• Learns how to facilitate all arrangements for the visitation, funeral and burial services with sensitivity to the family and officiant's requirements including needed staffing, setting up the flowers and memorial items and taking care of any special family request.                                                                                                                                                 
• With guidance of the preceptor, secures needed authorizations for final disposition of the deceased and information for legal documents.  Learns the system for the filing of death certificates, social security and military forms and other legal documents, writes the obituary, and assists with the selection of memorial items like register books and service folders.
   
• Coordinates and schedules the work of other funeral home staff for burial or cremation arrangements in a positive and caring manner.  After conferring with preceptor, also schedules staff to work funerals a minimum of 24 hours in advance. 
   
• When not serving families, the intern will work on special projects such as process improvements, cleaning equipment or visitation rooms, as well as other duties as assigned by the manager.
   
• Work alongside fellow funeral directors to embalm, dress, casket, apply cosmetics, or to cremate the deceased.                  
   
• Learn how to follow-up with families after the funeral service to ensure the responsible party makes timely payments on any outstanding account.                                                             
  
• Keeps up to date on writing and submitting embalming and arrangement reports as required during internship. Must meet the requirements of the Iowa Board of Mortuary Science.
                                                                                                                          
• Assists staff in a positive and productive manner that enhances customer service. 

• Develops and maintains the necessary skills and knowledge as a licensed funeral director by pursuing continuing education and professional skills through attendance at industry seminars and other training opportunities.                     

• Works with all staff in a positive, cooperative manner and assists them as needed in order to provide the best possible service and results to families.                                                                                                                     
  
• Follows safety policies and procedures.  

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Ability to provide evidence of graduation from a fully accredited College of Mortuary Science and completion of the State of Iowa Rules and Regulations exam.   
  
  
• Must be licensed or license eligible in the State of Iowa. 
   
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a safe driving record. 
   
• Must have positive customer service skills including empathy and sensitivity toward others and the ability to work effectively with a variety of people under stressful situations.
   
• Must be self-motivated and be able to complete tasks with limited supervision.
  
  
• Must possess the desire to exceed family expectations.
   
• Must have a strong desire to acquire skills to be a successful funeral director and willingness to learn embalming, cosmetics and restoration procedures.
   
• Must be computer literate and familiar with funeral home industry software and record keeping procedures.  Familiarity with MIS Pro software a plus.
   
• Must maintain a professional, neat, well-groomed appearance at all times. 
   
• Must be a cooperative team-oriented individual with consistent follow through and dependability. 

• ​​Above-average judgment needed to deal with confidential information.

• Able to handle a variety of regulatory and family service functions.

• Must be able to effectively communicate with others, both verbally and in writing.

• ​Good vision with attention to detail also needed for this position. 
   
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds with proper lifting techniques. Position requires ability to move human remains and caskets. 
   
• Must have above average personal stamina and ability to work for prolonged periods of time doing a variety of tasks.
   
• Work activities require sitting, standing, stooping, reaching, walking, grabbing, pulling, kneeling, lifting, grasping, and driving. 
   
• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and is subject to normal seasonal weather conditions.