Are you an organised individual with a desire to help others when they need it the most? Can you keep calm under pressure and focus on the task at hand? If you’ve answered yes, then you could consider retraining as a Funeral Arranger. Funeral Arrangers work as part of a close-knit team and are often the first point of contact for families of the deceased – understanding their needs and helping them to plan the funeral.
What do they do?
Funeral Arrangers usually work in funeral homes and are often the first point of contact for individuals or families who have just had a friend or family member die. They will meet them, establish their needs and get the plans for the funeral underway. Throughout the process of arranging a funeral, it is usually down to the Funeral Arranger to be there for people when they need help, support or advice.
They will also undertake housekeeping duties in the funeral home and check that all health and safety procedures are carried out correctly – especially when moving bodies of the deceased.
Other duties could include:
- Offering additional support to grieving clients and families.
- Liaising with third parties to book things like catering or flower arrangements.
- Building strong links within the community and being the first point of contact for community groups.
What skills do I need?
You don’t typically need any previous experience, as all training can be provided on the job. It’s far more important that you can empathise with those grieving and have a genuine desire to help. You will also need to be comfortable with being around, and potentially handling coffins and the deceased at times.
The right person will:
- Be discreet, sensitive and empathetic.
- Be highly organised.
- Have a passion for delivering great customer service.
- Understand that precision is key because you only have one chance to get the ceremony right.
- Be able to build strong community links.
- Have the ability to keep calm under pressure.
- Be able to listen to and take on board a clients’ needs.
- Be able to work as part of a close-knit team in a fast-paced environment.
What will I like about this job?