HomeAnswersWhat does a funeral director do?
What does a funeral director do?
A funeral director handles the practical and legal work after a death, including planning the funeral with the family, making sure the death certificate is completed and filed, and getting the permits needed for burial or cremation.
The CDC's handbook for funeral directors says they are responsible for ensuring the death certificate is completed and for filing it with the proper state or local official within the state's time limit. It also says the funeral director is responsible for knowing when authorization for final disposition is required, who issues it, and for obtaining it. The FTC Funeral Rule describes the basic services of a funeral director and staff as including the arrangements conference, planning the funeral, obtaining necessary permits and placing obituary notices.
The Funeral Rule also gives families rights when dealing with funeral homes. Funeral directors must give price information on the telephone if asked, the funeral home must give a General Price List to keep, and families can choose only the goods and services they want. The O*NET occupational database describes the work as arranging and directing funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of the body, interviewing the family to arrange details, and providing transportation for mourners.
The sources behind this answer
- The CDC's funeral director handbook says funeral directors are responsible for ensuring the completion of the death certificate. CDC NCHS, Funeral Director's Handbook (2019 Revision)
- The CDC handbook lists filing the death certificate with the proper state or local official within the state's time limit among funeral directors' duties. CDC NCHS, Funeral Director's Handbook (2019 Revision)
- The CDC handbook lists getting the cause-of-death information and certification from the attending physician, medical examiner or coroner among funeral directors' duties. CDC NCHS, Funeral Director's Handbook (2019 Revision)
- The CDC handbook says the funeral director is responsible for knowing from whom and when authorization for final disposition is required, and for obtaining it. CDC NCHS, Funeral Director's Handbook (2019 Revision)
- The FTC Funeral Rule defines the services of funeral director and staff as basic services such as conducting the arrangements conference, planning the funeral, obtaining necessary permits and placing obituary notices. FTC Funeral Rule, 16 CFR 453.1(p) (eCFR)
- The FTC says funeral directors must give price information on the telephone if asked, without requiring the caller's name, address or phone number first. FTC, The FTC Funeral Rule (Consumer Advice)
- The FTC says the funeral home must give a General Price List to keep, listing every item and service it offers and the cost of each. FTC, The FTC Funeral Rule (Consumer Advice)
- The FTC says the Funeral Rule lets people choose and pay for only the goods and services they want, whether arranging at the time of death or in advance. FTC, The FTC Funeral Rule (Consumer Advice)
- O*NET describes morticians, undertakers and funeral arrangers as arranging and directing funeral services, including coordinating transportation of the body, interviewing the family to arrange details and providing transportation for mourners. O*NET OnLine, 39-4031.00 Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
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