Mortician at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Purpose

• The Mortician will be responsible for preparing the deceased for burial or cremation, providing compassionate services to families in their time of loss, and overseeing all funeral arrangements. This role holder is expected to possess combination of technical skills, attention to detail, empathetic communication, and organizational abilities to ensure that the deceased is treated with dignity and respect and that family members receive exceptional care throughout the process.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Preparation of the Deceased

• Perform embalming procedures to preserve and sanitize the body for viewing or burial. This includes the proper use of chemicals and equipment for disinfection and preservation.
• Bathe, dress, and cosmetically prepare the deceased according to family requests or standard funeral procedures.
• Restore the body when necessary, including repairing any damage or trauma, such as facial reconstruction or other modifications for viewing purposes.
• Place the body in a casket, ensuring proper positioning and presentation for the family’s viewing. This includes setting up the viewing environment (e.g., appropriate lighting, flowers, etc.).

Funeral Planning and Arrangements

• Meet with the family to discuss funeral arrangements, gathering personal preferences for the service, burial, cremation, or memorial options.
• Plan and coordinate all aspects of funeral services, including selecting a casket, urn, and service location, as well as liaising with clergy, celebrants, and other service providers.
• Assist families with all necessary documentation, including death certificates, permits for cremation or burial, and insurance claims.
• Ensure that the funeral or memorial service is tailored to the family’s needs, whether it be religious, cultural, or personal preferences.

Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate records of services provided, including embalming logs, cremation records, and payment receipts.
• Ensure that all services comply with relevant state and local laws, health regulations, and funeral industry standards.
• Oversee the billing process for services rendered, manage accounts receivable, and provide cost estimates to families. This also involves maintaining confidentiality of financial information.

Cremation and Burial Services

• For cremation services, manage the process from obtaining the proper consents to ensuring the safe and respectful handling of the remains.
• Coordinate all aspects of burial services, including gravesite preparation, transportation of the deceased, and the scheduling of burial services with cemetery representatives.
• Ensure the respectful and safe transport of bodies to and from the funeral home, mortuary, and service locations.

Grief Support and Family Liaison

• Serve as a compassionate point of contact for grieving families, providing emotional support and ensuring they understand each step of the process.
• Offer grief counseling referrals, provide memorial items (e.g., certificates, mementos), and assist with after-service needs.
• Act as an intermediary between the family and other service providers (e.g., clergy, florists, transportation services) to ensure a seamless funeral experience.

Facility Maintenance

• Maintain a clean, organized, and respectful environment in all funeral home facilities, including mortuary spaces, preparation rooms, and public areas.
• Ensure that all tools and equipment used for embalming, preparation, and transport are in proper working order and maintained according to safety standards.
• Order and maintain necessary supplies such as embalming fluids, caskets, urns, and other funeral-related materials.

On-Call Duties

• Be available for emergency response situations, including death notifications or late-night calls.
• Maintain licensure and certification, which may include continuing education courses in mortuary science, embalming, and funeral service regulations.
• Stay informed about emerging trends in funeral services, cremation technologies, grief counseling, and other related areas to offer the best service to families.

Educational Requirements, Skills and Experience

• Degree in mortuary science, embalming, or funeral services.
• Certification/ Licensure as a mortician/ embalmer.
• 3-5 years’ proven experience in performing embalming procedures independently.
• Experience in conducting funeral services and interacting with families.
• Experience with managing funeral arrangements, including transportation and cremation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
• Understanding of chemistry, microbiology, and other relevant sciences related to embalming and restoration.
• In-depth knowledge of embalming techniques, restoration procedures, and funeral service laws and regulations.
• Understanding of grief and bereavement, and the ability to provide emotional support to families.
• Understanding of legal and ethical issues related to funeral service.