Funeral directors, also called morticians or undertakers, are responsible
for making sure all the elements of a funeral come together properly. The
purpose of their task is to assist the living in dealing with the death of
a loved one.
In consultation with the family of the deceased, the funeral director arranges
for death notices in the newspapers, coordinates the organist, minister and
flowers, and oversees the preparation of the body for the service.
They may perform embalming duties as well -- preserving the remains of
the body and completing cosmetic and restorative work.
Funeral directors also handle legal documents and funeral home operations.
This means maintaining staff, doing scheduling, handling financial matters
and ordering supplies or equipment.
They are trained in the psychology of grief and bereavement. This prepares
them to deal with clients who are suffering the loss of a loved one. They
may act as counselors and consultants to friends and family of the deceased.
Funeral directors are typically compassionate and have a genuine interest
in helping people through stressful times.
Most funeral directors are also trained, licensed and practicing embalmers.
Embalming is a sanitary, cosmetic and preservative process through which the
body is prepared for burial.
If more than 24 hours elapses between death and interment, laws usually
require that remains be refrigerated or embalmed.
As part of this procedure, the embalmer washes the body with germicidal
soap and replaces the blood with embalming fluid to preserve the body. Embalmers
may reshape and reconstruct disfigured or maimed bodies using materials such
as clay, cotton, plaster of paris and wax.
They also may apply cosmetics to provide a natural appearance, then dress
the body and place it in a casket.
Funeral directors are responsible for maintaining records such as embalming
reports and itemized lists of clothing or valuables delivered with the body.
In large funeral homes, an embalming staff of two or more embalmers, plus
several apprentices, may be employed.
Funeral directors work for private businesses (funeral homes), either as
owners or managing employees. Many funeral homes are small, family-run establishments.
Others are large companies or chains.
Funeral directors work with clients on prearranged funerals. Prearranged
funerals occur when people want to plan their own service, or take the burden
off children or family members.
People can die at any time of the day or night, so funeral directors are
often on call around the clock. Many personally answer their phones when they
ring in the middle of the night because they know a grieving person may be
on the other end of the line.
Funeral directors often work long, irregular hours. Shift work is sometimes
necessary because funeral home hours include evenings and weekends. In smaller
funeral homes, working hours vary. But in larger homes, employees generally
work eight hours a day, five or six days a week.
Funeral directors are also responsible for the success and the profitability
of their businesses. Directors keep records on expenses, purchases and services
rendered. They also prepare and send invoices for services, prepare tax forms
and prepare bills for customers.
Directors also strive to foster a cooperative spirit and friendly attitude
among employees and a compassionate demeanor toward the families.
A growing number of funeral directors are also involved in helping individuals
adapt to changes in their lives following a death through post-death counseling
and support group activities.
In order to show respect to the families, most funeral directors dress
in suits and ties or dresses. They usually offer a conservative, neat appearance
to their customers.
While some services are traditional, others are very innovative. At the
funeral service of a Harley Davidson enthusiast, one of the man's five beloved
bikes was parked alongside his casket. One of his sons hopped on the bike
to lead the procession to the cemetery.
Funeral directors are also attempting to personalize funeral services by
offering specialized coffins. Caskets are now available with a "fairway to
heaven" golf course motif, painted shamrocks or Renaissance-style cherubs.