Professional Expertise And Traits Required For An Undertaker's Profession

By Mary Anne Lee

Undertakers' or funeral directors' task is to make preparations for funeral ceremonies and other related needs and responsibilities. Some of the essential qualities and abilities that are required by people who are in this profession are listed below.

Since an undertaker's services may be required at any time of the day, the person venturing into this profession must be willing to be on call for 24 hours. He should be prepared to work away from his workplace as the task requires him to be at the place where he is required.

The undertaker should be able to respect the feelings of clients, listen and comprehend their requirements and interact lucidly. People from various cultures, sects and traditions as well as those of different ages will have to be handled with aplomb by him. Understanding and sympathy will be of great importance in the course of his job. As an undertaker, he is also expected to comfort the family in time of grief, and he should not allow distress or sorrow to cloud his abilities.

Undertakers should be serious and dignified by nature, but must not look gloomy or morose, as this may heighten the grief of the family and friends of the deceased person.

Undertakers must have extensive knowledge and profound respect for the religious sentiments and beliefs of various cultures and ethnic groups. They should also be familiar with the funeral rites and burial customs of various sects.

A good undertaker will essentially possess good organizational skills and managerial abilities. A number of services will need to be organized by the undertaker and this will need good coordination and management ability from the undertaker.

An undertaker must be smart in legal matters and should know the legal formalities to be followed, or the formal approvals needed from the government authorities before organizing funeral services. He should also be aware of the official procedures to be followed for obtaining insurance claims, death certificates etc.

Finally, he should necessarily be able to and be qualified to drive vehicles such as limousines and hearses during the funeral service.

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