Funeral services directors coordinate the logistics of funerals. They support the deceased family by arranging the details concerning the location, dates and times of memorial services. Funeral services directors contact representatives of the cemetery to prepare the site, plan transportation for the deceased person, advise on the types of memorials and legal requirements or paperwork. Funeral services directors organise the daily operations of the crematorium. They oversee the staff's activities in the crematorium and ensure that they deliver services according to legal requirements. They monitor the crematorium service revenue budget and develop and maintain operational rules within the crematorium.
Check yourself in a minute: funeral services director
Rate 5 of the 18 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
maintain personal hygiene standards
manage budgets
greet guests
develop organisational policies
manage staff
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (18)
business knowledgebusiness knowledgeA firm's functions, the processes and tasks which are employed to accomplish those functions and the relationship of those functions, processes and tasks to each of the functions, processes and tasks ...maintain personal hygiene standardsmaintain personal hygiene standardsPreserve impeccable personal hygiene standards and have a tidy appearance.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.greet guestsgreet guestsWelcome guests in a friendly manner in a certain place.develop organisational policiesdevelop organisational policiesDevelop and supervise the implementation of policies aimed at documenting and detailing the procedures for the operations of the organisation in the lights of its strategic planning.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...advise on funeral servicesadvise on funeral servicesProvide relatives of the deceased person with information and advice on ceremonial, burial and cremation services.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.promote human rightspromote human rightsPromote and respect human rights and diversity in light of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of autonomous individuals, taking into account their opinions, beliefs and values, an...maintain customer servicemaintain customer serviceKeep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requ...provide directions to guestsprovide directions to guestsShow guests the way through buildings or on domains, to their seats or performance setting, helping them with any additional information so that they can reach the foreseen event destination.oversee cremationsoversee cremationsKeep records on the cremations that are or will be executed and make sure that the cremated remains are identified correctly.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...apply health and safety standardsapply health and safety standardsAdhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...show diplomacyshow diplomacyDeal with people in a sensitive and tactful way.prepare ceremonial locationsprepare ceremonial locationsDecorate rooms or other locations for ceremonies, such as funerals, cremations, weddings or baptism.
Optional (24) — show
business management principlesbusiness management principlesPrinciples governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination.respond to visitor complaintsrespond to visitor complaintsRespond to visitors complaints, in a correct and polite manner, offering a solution when possible and taking action when necessary.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.provide visitor informationprovide visitor informationProvide directions and other relevant information to visitors.liaise with local authoritiesliaise with local authoritiesMaintain the liaison and exchange of information with regional or local authorities.perform religious ceremoniesperform religious ceremoniesPerform the ritual acts and apply the traditional religious texts during ceremonial events, such as funerals, confirmation, baptism, birth rites and other religious ceremonies.control minor maintenancecontrol minor maintenanceFollow up on the maintenance and repairs to be carried out. Solve minor problems and pass harder problems on to the person responsible for maintenance.embalm bodiesembalm bodiesPrepare bodies for funeral ceremonies, by cleaning and disinfecting them, using make-up to create the impression of a natural appearance and hiding or correcting any visible damages or injuries.apply business acumenapply business acumenTake appropriate actions in a business environment in order to maximise possible outcome from each situation.transfer coffinstransfer coffinsLift and carry coffins prior and during the funeral service. Place the coffins into the chapel and the cemetery.provide emotional support to the bereavedprovide emotional support to the bereavedShow compassion and sympathy to the relatives of the deceased and people attending the funeral activities.assist with funeral planningassist with funeral planningAid the families of patients with terminal illnesses with issues related to the organisation of the funeral.coordinate cateringcoordinate cateringContact catering companies and shop around different providers in order to find the most suitable caterer for the event. Arrange and agree contracts with caterers for the provision of the service.analyse financial performance of a companyanalyse financial performance of a companyAnalyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase profit, based on accounts, records, financial statements and external informati...maintain professional administrationmaintain professional administrationFile and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.operate cremation equipmentoperate cremation equipmentHandle equipment used for the cremation of deceased individuals, such as cremators, incinerators, cremulators and magnets.relate empatheticallyrelate empatheticallyRecognise, understand and share emotions and insights experienced by another.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.dress bodiesdress bodiesPut on clothes on bodies of deceased persons, chosen or provided by the deceased one's relatives.manage emergency evacuation plansmanage emergency evacuation plansMonitor quick and safe emergency evacuation plans.manage maintenance operationsmanage maintenance operationsOversee maintenance activities, making sure that staff is following procedures and ensuring routine and periodic refurbishment and maintenance activities.manage funeral equipmentmanage funeral equipmentIssue, store and manage funeral equipment, which may include memorial cards, candles, crucifixes and lowering straps.maintain inventory of toolsmaintain inventory of toolsKeep an inventory of tools utilised in the provision of services. Ensure that tool sets remain complete and suitable for use.drive vehicles in processionsdrive vehicles in processionsDrive cars, hearses or other vehicles at a steady pace in processions.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Funeral services directors coordinate the logistics of funerals. They support the deceased family by arranging the details concerning the location, dates and times of memorial services. Funeral services directors contact representatives of the cemetery to prepare the site, plan transportation for the deceased person, advise on the types of memorials and legal requirements or paperwork. Funeral services directors organise the daily operations of the crematorium. They oversee the staff's activities in the crematorium and ensure that they deliver services according to legal requirements. They monitor the crematorium service revenue budget and develop and maintain operational rules within the crematorium.
What skills does a funeral services director need?
A funeral services director needs 18 essential skills, including business knowledge, maintain personal hygiene standards, manage budgets, greet guests, develop organisational policies.
Will AI replace funeral services director jobs?
The AI disruption score for funeral services director is 30/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, maintain professional administration, maintain inventory of tools. Most resilient: maintain personal hygiene standards, perform religious ceremonies, provide emotional support to the bereaved.