- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to work well with others
- business management skills
- knowledge of English language
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- taking details from relatives or friends of the deceased
- arranging for transfer of the body to the place of rest before the funeral
- meeting with relatives or friends to give advice and arrange details of the funeral
- arranging the date and time of the funeral with the church, cemetery or crematorium
- organising flowers, transport and death notices
- advising on legal requirements and helping clients complete paperwork
- preparing the body for burial or cremation
- arranging visits to the place of rest
- dealing with floral tributes and charitable donations
- travelling in the hearse at the time of the funeral
You'll also be:
- making sure that everything runs smoothly during the ceremony
- advising on types of memorials, like headstones
You may need to wear a uniform.
You could work at a funeral home, at a cemetery, in an office or at a client's home.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.
With larger organisations, you could be promoted to branch, area or regional management.
With experience and qualifications you could become a tutor and teach NAFD qualifications.
You can get more advice about training to work in the funeral service from the British Institute of Funeral Directors and the National Association of Funeral Directors.
