Full-Time Funeral Assistant (1 Yr Customer Service Exp Req)

**Company Overview** Spicer\-Mullikin Funeral Homes and Crematory is one of the oldest and most respected funeral homes in Delaware. A family\-owned business with deep community ties, Spicer\-Mullikin has four locations in New Castle County, Delaware. We are among an elite group of funeral service professionals in the USA who have been awarded the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) Pursuit of Excellence Award every year since 2015, and became the first Delaware funeral home inducted into their Hall of Excellence. The NFDA also recognized Spicer\-Mullikin with the inaugural Richard Myers Pinnacle Award for community service, and with two Best of the Best awards for leadership. We continue to raise the bar on funeral service excellence by adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards and providing unsurpassed service to families and communities. Our reputation is one of the reasons Spicer\-Mullikin has been nominated and voted among the state’s top funeral homes in the First State Favorites Community Choice Awards six years running. We’ve also received several other reader choice, business, and marketing awards, making us Delaware’s most highly awarded funeral home. **Overview** We are looking for a dedicated, hardworking, service\-oriented individual to serve as funeral assistant for our four New Castle County, Delaware, locations (New Castle, Newark, Delaware City and Middletown). The position is full\-time. This position is available as soon as possible. Must be physically fit, compassionate, and a team player committed to being of service to others. You’ll be part of a professional team that prides itself on helping families honor their loved ones. You will be responsible for ensuring funeral services run smoothly at all times; providing support for the funeral directors, general manager and office managers regarding services; and assisting across a variety of roles associated with the funeral service. **Candidates must be within a 30\-45 minute driving radius.** **RESPONSIBILITIES** * Support and assist the Funeral Directors to ensure each funeral ceremony meets the specific requests and requirements of the person who has died, together with their family. * Ensure familiarity with each individual funeral arrangement, completing pre\- and post\-funeral checks and ensure all aspects are conducted in accordance with the wishes of the family. * Assist with preparation and presentation of the body entrusted to our care in a professional, caring and dignified manner. * Be presentable and wear business attire at all times: Men should wear: * Neatly pressed navy blue or gray suits (no black suits) * White long\-sleeved dress shirts * Well\-kept black or brown shoes * Conservative appropriate ties * Long winter coat (black cashmere) when needed * Long raincoat (black) when needed Women should wear: * Dress pants, skirt (knee\-length or longer), or a modest dress * Blouse, button\-down shirt, or professional top * Optional: Blazer, cardigan, or suit jacket * Closed\-toe flats or low\-heeled shoes * Subtle jewelry and natural makeup * Prepare funeral cars including daily cleaning. * Ensure all vehicles are checked both pre\- and post\-use, ensuring they are fit for purpose and in excellent condition. * Act as driver for all vehicles in accordance, reporting any damage or faults in a timely manner. * Act as a casket bearer for funerals as needed, ensuring correct attire is worn and is carried out professionally and with dignity. * Manage the outside areas before and after the funeral service. * Ensure adherence to company procedures at all times. * Must be comfortable assisting with traffic control during funeral processions. * Other duties as required by the Funeral Director such as setting up flowers, equipment, printed materials. **PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS** *The employee should be:* * A hard worker (not a job for clock\-watchers) * Service\-oriented * Self\-motivated and driven * Compassionate * Good with people from all walks of life – engaging, appropriate, kind * A good team player * Loyal to the company * Flexible in working hours * Supportive of families, colleagues **QUALIFICATIONS** * Experience working in a busy service environment * Ability to prove competence in the relevant areas of work * Current full driving license * Ability to undertake out\-of\-hours and weekend work * Ability to cope with the emotional demands of the job * Flexibility when called upon to work additional hours at short notice **EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE** * High school diploma preferred * Experience in a job where high levels of face\-to\-face customer service is a priority **LANGUAGE SKILLS** * Fluent in spoken and written English * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills * Receive and relate verbal and telephone messages accurately * Meticulous and approach to all communications **REASONING ABILITY** * Ability to follow instructions accurately * Define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions * Identify problems and make recommendations * Ability and willingness to learn **OTHER SKILLS, ABILITIES OR QUALIFICATIONS** * Ability to deal sensitively with distressing situations * Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision * Strong time management and ability to prioritize work * Ability to perform maintenance and DIY **PHYSICAL DEMANDS** * The employee is often required to sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, and kneel * The employee must have the ability to undertake heavy lifting \& ability to work outside in all weather * The job can be physically demanding – for example, lifting decedents and caskets – and applicants must be able to cope with that element of the job * Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus *Disclaimer from Spicer\-Mullikin HR Manual:* * “The funeral service profession requires dedication and a belief in providing service above all else. Families are unable to anticipate their needs in advance. Typically, your work is scheduled according to your scheduled hours; however, on occasion, it will be necessary to provide service for families after your normal working hours. When this occurs, management will see that you are properly informed and that you are given every possible opportunity to meet your personal and family obligations. But on some occasions unforeseen by management, you will be required to work on short notice. Your immediate and timely response will be required. It is clearly understood by all employees of the funeral homes of Spicer\-Mullikin that they can be called to work at any time and can be required to work as many hours as necessary to complete the job.” Job Type: Full\-time Pay: $17\.00 per hour Expected hours: 40 per week Education: * High school or equivalent (Required) Experience: * Customer Service: 1 year (Required) License/Certification: * Drivers License (Required) Ability to Commute: * New Castle, DE 19720 (Required) Work Location: In person