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The Responsibilities of a Funeral
Director
By Budda Oliver
The role and responsibilities of a funeral director has
evolved over the years from someone who prepared the
deceased for burial to the modern funeral directors of
today, who perform many other duties to help the family
through their difficult time of loss. Funeral and
memorial service duties that were once handled by
friends, family or clergy quite often become the
director's responsibility.
A funeral director oversees every detail in the planning
and preparation of a funeral. They will make sure the
body is transported to the funeral home along with the
necessary death certificates and paperwork. All the
details are handled by this person so the deceased's
family and friends can grieve without having to deal
with paperwork and other legalities.
The family will meet with the funeral director after
their loved one dies. Together, with their help, the
family will choose a casket, vault or urn. The funeral
service will be planned, as well as discussions about
the flower arrangements, music, pallbearers, clergy,
headstone or grave marker, etc. Virtually every aspect
of a funeral or memorial service is planned with the
director's help and assistance. They will also arrange
payments to all third party vendors, so the family of
the deceased doesn't have to write numerous checks. One
payment to the director will cover all the necessary
expenses.
Often times, a funeral home will have rooms and
facilities available for the family to organize photos
or create a video slideshow of their loved one. A
funeral director will make these rooms available to the
family and offer any help they can in selecting a
guestbook and thank you notes.
After meeting with the family, it is then the funeral
director's job to prepare the loved one for the service
either by embalming or cremation. All preparation such
as casketing, dressing and applying make up will be done
by the funeral director or licensed morticians that work
at the funeral home. The funeral director will contact
the cemetery to arrange for the digging of the grave or
arrange for an opening of a vault, such as in a
mausoleum. They will also be in touch with the family's
chosen clergy member and relay all information about the
time of the service and chosen musical selections. The
director will also send obituary information to the
local newspaper and will contact the deceased's life
insurance provider to inform them of the death.
After the funeral service, the funeral director arranges
transportation from the funeral home to the cemetery.
They will also transport flowers to the graveside, with
any extra flowers and arrangements going to where the
family suggests - such as donations to hospitals, etc.
A funeral director will help the family and friends of a
deceased love one get through the funeral process
without having to worry about the details. Together,
with the director's professional guidance, the family
can focus on grieving and fondly memorializing their
loved one.
Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Morrissett Funeral
Home. The funeral planners offer a variety of options
for honoring and paying remembrance to your departed
loved ones. Morrissett Funeral Home offers personal
service and attention to help with the burden its
patrons experience saying goodbye during this difficult
time. For more information on their Funeral Homes
Richmond Virginia please visit their website. |
