Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Culture

• We value honesty, courage, integrity, ethical behavior and the development of personal growth.
• We are rooted in the communities to provide a personal touch to every family we serve.
• We believe in the value of funeral and cemetery service, drawing on decades of experience to create the best experience for our families.

Cress Funeral Service is seeking licensed Funeral Directors to work with a great team of funeral professionals. Cress was established in 1869 and serves the greater Madison and Dane County area. We pride ourselves on consistently providing a high level of service to our families and to the communities we are in.

Madison, WI, has been chosen as best place to live for many years with good reason. Activities are endless as there is something to do for everyone from the weekly Farmer’s Market on the square, enjoying the beautiful lakes, feasting on wonderful food from all parts of the world, walking around the UW Madison campus, and biking and hiking the countryside. Nightlife includes many music venues and performances to enjoy.

Cress believes in giving back to our wonderful community and promotes staff involvement in community activities.

If you are looking for a change to work with a great team and experience our beautiful area, we encourage you to apply!

Funeral Director/Embalmer - Summary/Objective

This position is the primary contact for client families is accountable for performing a variety of tasks during the preparation, planning, and execution of the funeral and memorialization process to ensure services run smoothly and that the expectations of our client families and their guests are exceeded.

Essential Functions

• Consults with client families or legal representative of the deceased to create services designed to meet their memorialization expectations.
• Ensures that client families are presented with all merchandizing and service options available.
• Obtains information needed to complete required documents such as obituaries, death certificates, burial permits, and insurance.
• Coordinates all service arrangements and details with clergy, other presiding persons, fraternal or military organizations, and others who may participate in conducting the funeral service.
• Utilizes systems to record merchandise selections, enter contracts, and complete necessary forms.
• Prepares and embalms the deceased for interment, cremation, or other disposition in conformity with legal requirements and with the utmost respect and dignity.
• Ensures proper paperwork, including permits, logs, identification tags, and certificates are completed accurately and timely and in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Properly and safely utilizes embalming instruments and machinery in accordance with company guidelines.
• Utilizes personal protective equipment and adheres to relevant operational and safety procedures.
• Dresses, apples cosmetics, and performs casketing duties.
• Plans, schedules, and conducts visitations and services.
• Oversees all employees participating in services, ensuring that each member of the team understands their individual role and is professionally representing the location.
• Places casket or remains in visitation area, setting up the area to comply with client family wishes, including adjusting light fixtures, and arrangement of flowers or plants.
• Directs and usher families and service attendees to and from the location of the funeral service.
• Supervises and assists in the transportation of client families to ensure a timely departure and arrival.
• Arranges and coordinates shipment or transportation of remains to and from other cities and locations.
• Instructs and oversees work of Apprentice Funeral Directors/Embalmers on cases, services, and paperwork.
• Stocks and cleans preparation room and refrigeration unit.
• Works on-call /first-call, as needed.
• Identifies and remedies all hazards on grounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Communication Proficiency.
• Teamwork Orientation.
• Detail Orientation.
• Thoroughness.
• Customer Service Orientation.
• Time Management.

 Required Education, Experience, Certifications and Licensure

 Four-year degree or equivalent combination of education, training and experience preferred.

• 5 years’ experience as a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer.
• Valid and applicable state Funeral Director and Embalmer License; reciprocal across states and in good standing.
• Valid state issued driver’s license in good standing and acceptable driving record.

 Additional Eligibility Qualifications 

• Attend and perform work in a professional and courteous manner in accordance with the employer’s requirements.
• Demonstrated willingness to participate in growing market share through community involvement.
• Able to read, write and speak English fluently. Bilingual is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal, as well as external customers, community leaders, and grieving client families.
• Ability to empathize with client families and their guests and demonstrate tact and patience in emotionally charged situations.
• Tactful and professional when dealing with complaints or dissatisfaction with services or merchandise.
• Maintains a positive attitude and working environment through organization and communication.
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple projects, prioritizes tasks, and exercise good judgment.
• Effective and professional communication skills, with an emphasis on verbal skills and the ability to resolve and respond to issues in a professional manner.  
• Attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

 Supervisory Responsibility

 This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

 Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The duties associated with this position are generally performed in an indoor office setting. 
• Outdoor duties may require exposure to natural elements such as inclement weather, extreme temperatures, uneven ground, dust, gas, and/or fumes.
• Equipment used to perform the essential function of this position includes, but is not limited to; computer, fax, copier, multi-line phone system, AV system, body lift, casket handling/tansport devices, personal or company owned vehicle.
• Employees in this role must have sufficient strength and manual dexterity and must be willing to work safely and comply with the Company’s safety procedures, including wearing any personal protective equipment that may be required.
• Employees in this role are regularly required to climb, sit, stand, bend, kneel, and frequently lift up to 75 pounds, and may be required to lift up to 100 pounds. 
• This position may also require power reaching, pushing, and pulling. 
• Employees in this role must be able to perform job duties when awakened from a sound sleep.
• This position may also be exposed to chemicals and/ or blood borne pathogens.  Exposure risk is considered:    High
• Overtime is sometimes necessary or required.

 Travel

• This position may require up to 10 percent out of area and overnight travel.
• Travel is primarily local occurring during the business day only.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.