Among professionals, funeral directors Middletown have a unique, interesting, and varied set of responsibilities. In general, those that possess a strong sense of organization and have effective listening skills, the duties are easily accomplished. It’s the emotional aspect accompanying the services that demand a high level of compassion and counseling skills which sets this profession apart. Typical duties of a funeral director include the following:
Pick Up the Deceased
If the deceased passed away at the hospital or hospice, they are picked up by the funeral director and transported to the funeral home. If the loved one died at home, that might be the family’s first encounter with the funeral director.
Preparation of the Body
Funeral directors may also perform the embalming of the body, depending on the number of staff and state requirements. Some states require the individual to be a licensed embalmer to prepare a body. Embalming or refrigeration is only required if more than 24 hours is to pass between death and burial (or cremation).
Handling Paperwork and Legal Documents
Funeral directors Middletown is responsible for ensuring that all permits, certificates, and affidavits that are required by law are filed in a timely fashion. They acquire the needed copies of death certificates that are necessary to settle the deceased’s estate and handle the obituary placement. An obituary is a summary of the deceased’s life, often including education, profession, volunteer work, military service, and a listing of surviving family members. Obituaries are a paid item usually published in local newspapers.
Meet with Family Members
Funeral directors meet with the family members to arrange the details such as location, times, and dates for the wake, memorial services, and internment. Funeral directors help arrange the logistics such as transportation of the deceased from the funeral home to the gravesite. They discuss with the family the type of music, if any, to be played, photos to be displayed, who will officiate, and options regarding the final disposition of their loved one.
These are just a few of the many duties of a funeral director. Click here to learn more about this unappreciated, yet vital, service that funeral directors provide. Funeral directors deal with grieving family members who have just lost a loved one and must possess exceptional social skills to handle these situations.
