The Roles and Responsibilities of Funeral Directors

Over the years, the role of a funeral director has evolved. Previously, a funeral director was someone that prepared the deceased for burial while today the director performs many other duties in funeral homes while helping the family and friends through their tempting times of loss. Memorial and funeral service duties that were one time managed by family, friends, or clergy very often become the responsibility of the funeral director Perth. We can refer to funeral directors as either undertakers or morticians. These are highly qualified professionals who undertake the funeral rite businesses and control the entire funeral planning and as well as funeral service.

Embalming of the body

One of their tasks includes embalming of the body, which involves removing any blood and inserting embalming fluid, cremation or burial preferences, and arranging and planning for the funeral ceremony. The family or friends to the deceased approaches the funeral directors to make special requests like making sure that the loved one is dressed an outfit of their choosing. They may also request the directors to ensure the body is arranged properly in the casket, request for the application of substances or cosmetics to the parts of the body that will be visible during the service to boost the appearance of the deceased. 

Overseeing all the details of funeral planning and preparation

Moreover, funeral directors oversee everything that entails funeral planning and preparation. They will ensure the transportation of the body to the funeral home together with the appropriate paperwork and certificates. The directors handle all the details to allow the deceased family to mourn without needing to deal with all the legalities and paperwork involved. 

The family meets the funeral directors following the death of their loves one and together, they can select the right casket, urn, or vault. From there, they will get into funeral planning and other discussions with regards to flower arrangements, pallbearers, music, clergy, grave marker or headstone, etc. Virtually, all the aspects of a memorial or funeral service are planned with the funeral director’s assistance. Additionally, the directors arrange for all the payments to any third party vendor, which leave the deceased’s family with no responsibility of writing many checks. A single payment to the funeral director will cover all the required expenses.

Preparing for other facilities

Usually, a funeral home is going to have rooms and other facilities such as rooms where the family can organize photos or make a video slideshow of their deceased loved one. Funeral directors will avail these rooms to the family and provide any assistance they can in choosing a guestbook and thank you notes.

After having a meeting with the family, it’s then the job of the funeral directors to make ready the loved one for the funeral service either by cremation or embalming. Licensed morticians or funeral directors will perform all preparation like casketing, applying makeup, and dressing at the funeral home. The directors will contact the cemetery to ensure the arrangement for the digging of the grave or an opening of a vault such as a mausoleum.

What’s more, they will remain in touch with the chosen clergy member of the deceased family and deliver all the information about the time of the funeral service and selected musical playlists. The directors will send obituary information to the local newspaper and contact the life insurance of the deceased to notify them of the death. 

Once the funeral service is complete, the funeral directors arrange for transportation from the funeral home to the cemetery. Also, they will transport flowers to the graveside, with any additional flowers or arrangements moving to where the deceased family suggests.

Conclusion

It’s such a trying moment when one of your loved ones dies. Unfortunately, it’s inevitable and one time or another we will have to deal with the occurrences of death. Dealing with the funeral service or any other ceremony with regards to giving the deceased their last respect can prove daunting.
A funeral director Perth can help you, as the family and friends of the deceased love one, to get through the funeral process. That way, you can focus on mourning and memorializing your loved one.

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