Funeral Director and Arrangement Officer

Job overview
Funeral directors and arrangement officers handle all the arrangements for a funeral on behalf of the deceased's family.

What do people do in these jobs?
The tasks concerning a funeral are divided between two persons - the funeral director or undertaker and the arrangement officer.

Funeral directors and arrangement officers offer a complete service to the public.

In the case of death as a result of natural causes such as illness or heart failure the funeral director collects the body and takes it to the undertaker's premises where it is placed in a cooling unit.

The arrangement officer then makes arrangements with the next of kin for the funeral/cremation.

The day, place and time of the funeral, as well as all other arrangements are done by the arrangement officer who has to lend support to the next of kin throughout and offer them assistance.

Funeral directors see that all procedures prescribed by the authorities are adhered to and they also prepare the coffin and the body for the funeral.

On the day of the cremation or funeral, the funeral director takes the body to the church or chapel for the service.

After the service the funeral director is responsible for the transport of the body to the cemetery and the ceremony at the grave.

In case of a cremation service the funeral director has to take the body to the crematorium and do the necessary administration there.

The funeral directors and arrangement officers must have knowledge of the customs of different cultural groups at the death of a beloved.

They are also involved in the marketing of services as well as products in this industry.

Most of the bigger funeral director's businesses offer information on a variety of funeral packages and policies.

They also offer different kinds of coffins and wreaths and can also be involved in the choice of a gravestone.

Funeral directors and especially arrangement officers have a great deal of administrative work to handle.

They have to ensure that the arrangements proceed smoothly in order to give the family the minimum of distress.

What kinds of people are suitable for these careers?
Funeral directors and arrangement officers have to be able to communicate well with people and to support and comfort them.

They must be able to act sympathetically but firmly.

They must have a deep respect for the dignity of the deceased and handle them in a worthy manner.

This work can be emotionally exhausting and sometimes is seen more as a calling than as a career.

What qualifications are needed?
There are no specific qualifications.

Much depends on having the right personality and strength of character.