Funeral Directors

Funeral Directors plan and coordinate arrangements for funerals according to the wishes of the deceased or their relatives.

What the job involves

• Interviews families and associates of deceased to assist with funeral arrangements such as selection of coffin, type of service and publication of death notices

• Advise on funeral costs and welfare provisions

• Collects bodies from mortuaries

• Ensures death certificates have been issued, burial and cremation certificates processed and that other legal requirements are met

• Prepares bodies for viewing and burial by washing, draining body fluids, applying padding and cosmetics, dressing bodies and placing them in coffins

• Liaise with clergy, cemetery and crematorium staff

• Co-ordinates movement of coffins and funeral cars, arranges floral displays and collects attendance and tribute cards

• Arranges placement of coffins at funeral sites, and placing and adjusting of floral displays and lighting

• Keeps records and accounts of transactions and services performed

• May arrange construction of memorials and the disposal of ashes