09/17/2025
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Funeral Attendant / Removal Technician / Transfer Specialist
A Funeral Attendant plays a vital role in supporting grieving families and ensuring that funeral services run smoothly and respectfully. This position requires compassion, discretion, and a strong sense of professionalism. Funeral Attendants assist with the preparation, coordination, and ex*****on of funeral and memorial services, helping to create a dignified and comforting environment for all attendees.
Key Responsibilities
• Greet and assist mourners during visitations, services, and graveside ceremonies
• Prepare the chapel or venue for services, including setting up chairs, floral arrangements, and audiovisual equipment
• Transport caskets, floral tributes, and other items as needed
• Drive funeral vehicles such as hearses and limousines
• Es**rt families and guests to designated areas and provide directions or assistance
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the funeral home and service areas
• Assist with administrative tasks such as guest book management and distributing service programs
• Support the Funeral Director and other staff with various duties before, during, and after services
• Uphold confidentiality and sensitivity in all interactions with clients and guests
Qualifications
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to lift and carry heavy items (e.g., caskets, chairs)
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Ability to remain calm and composed in emotionally charged environments
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Personal Attributes
• Empathetic and respectful
• Reliable and punctual
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Discreet and trustworthy
A Funeral Home Removal Technician—often called a Transfer Specialist—is entrusted with the dignified, safe, and compassionate removal and transport of deceased individuals from the place of death to the funeral home, crematory, or designated facility.
Job Summary
The Removal Technician serves as the first point of professional contact in after-death care. You’ll respond to “first calls,” coordinate logistics, and ensure each transfer is handled with respect, sensitivity, and adherence to legal and ethical standards.
Key Responsibilities
• Answer first-call requests from families, hospitals, nursing homes, or coroners’ offices
• Complete required paperwork, authorizations, and chain-of-custody documentation before removals
• Perform respectful removal of remains, working in teams when necessary for safe handling
• Transport decedents to the funeral home, crematory, or medical examiner’s office
• Maintain and sanitize stretchers, transfer cots, and vehicles after each removal
• Adhere to universal precautions and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times
• Exhibit empathy and professionalism when interacting with grieving families and care providers
• Assist with funeral services, flower deliveries, and crematory operations as needed
• Keep vehicles fueled, cleaned, and in good working order; report maintenance issues promptly
Qualifications
• High school diploma or equivalent (preferred)
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record (required)
• Ability to lift and maneuver heavy objects, often with a partner
• Flexibility for irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and on-call shifts
• Strong communication skills and professional demeanor under stress
• Attention to detail for paperwork, releases, and regulatory compliance
• Respect for cultural, religious, and personal preferences in death care
Skills and Attributes
• Empathy and emotional resilience in sensitive environments
• Discretion and confidentiality about family situations and personal data
• Dependability—being punctual, responsive, and ready to represent the funeral home
Work Environment & Schedule
• Removals from private homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, and coroner’s offices
• Exposure to varied weather conditions and tight spaces during removals
• Collaborative work with funeral directors, embalmers, and administrative staff
