subject: Skills And Personal Qualities Required For Undertakers [print this page] Undertakers, also called Funeral Directors, are experts who organize activities and ceremonies related to funerals. Mentioned below are a few of the important skills and qualifications that undertakers should possess to succeed in their job.
An undertaker must be active and be willing to work at odd hours, as he has to be available 24 hours a day. He should be prepared to work away from his workplace as the job requires him to be available at the place where he is needed.
The undertaker should be able to respect the sentiments of customers, listen and comprehend their requirements and interact lucidly. People from various cultures, religions and traditions as well as those of any age will have to be handled with aplomb by him. An understanding and compassionate attitude will be a great help in this job. As an undertaker, he is also expected to comfort the family in their moment of grief, and he must not allow distress or sorrow to cloud his mental faculties.
Undertakers should be serious and dignified by nature, but should not look gloomy or morose, as this may heighten the grief of the family and friends of the deceased.
Undertakers must have extensive knowledge and profound respect for the religious sentiments and beliefs of various cultures and ethnic groups. They should be conscious of various customs and rituals followed by different groups during the funeral ceremony.
Good management and the ability to organise are essential skills for an undertaker. Making preparations for critical services like flowers, ceremonies etc will entail coordination with many providers and will need leadership and management skills.
An undertaker should be proficient in legal matters and should know the official procedures to be followed, or the necessary approvals required from the government authorities before conducting funeral ceremonies. He will have to be fully aware of procedures to be followed with respect to collecting death certificates or insurance payments.
Lastly, an undertaker must make sure that his driver's licence is updated and that he can drive the hearse or funeral limousines during the service.
