Funeral Workers

What the job involves

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

• Advising on funeral costs and welfare provisions

• Collecting bodies from mortuaries

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

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

• Liaising with clergy and cemetery and crematorium staff

• Coordinating the movement of coffins and funeral cars, arranging floral displays and collecting attendance and tribute cards

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

• Keeping records and accounts of transactions and services performed

• May arrange the construction of memorials and the disposal of ashes