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Funeral Director Apprentice

Service Corporation International · Bloomington, IL · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

What made you decide to become a funeral director, and where are you in your licensing path?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real calling and a realistic plan to finish school, apprenticeship and exams.

Tell me about a time you learned a hands-on skill by watching someone experienced. How did you get better at it?

What they are checking: Whether they are coachable and take initiative in learning, which is the heart of an apprenticeship.

Tell me about a time you worked with someone who was grieving. What did you say or do?

What they are checking: Whether they can offer comfort naturally without clichés or making it about themselves.

What would you do

A family asks you a question during a service that you don't know the answer to. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest about what they don't know and find the licensed director instead of guessing.

Part of this role is collecting money or insurance. How would you handle a family who can't pay the full amount?

What they are checking: Whether they follow company policy on contracts and payment while staying compassionate.

How do you feel about doing removals and caring for the deceased, sometimes at odd hours?

What they are checking: Whether they are ready for the physical and on-call side of funeral service work.

You notice a licensed director skip a required step. What would you do as an apprentice?

What they are checking: Whether they would raise compliance concerns respectfully even when they are the junior person.

How do you keep yourself organized when several services are scheduled the same week?

What they are checking: Whether they can track details and deadlines so nothing is missed for any family.

About the work

You'll learn to verify the identity of the deceased and authorization for embalming. Why do those steps matter so much?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that skipped verification can cause legal trouble and deep harm to families.

How would you make sure a veteran's family knows about special recognition and honors?

What they are checking: Whether they would ask about service history and follow up on honors so families don't miss them.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Service Corporation International from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Service Corporation International.

Our associates celebrate lives. We celebrate our associates. Provides customer service in all areas of helping client families following the loss of a loved one. Provides exemplary personalized and professional service. Learns how a Funeral Director implements choices made by the families/legal representative regarding the funeral, final disposition of the body and memorialization of the individual. Interacts with the family to fulfill death care needs. Ensures customer needs are addressed. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES • Learns to arrange and conduct funeral and memorial ceremonies in a professional, organized and caring manner consistent with company policies and procedures • Learns to negotiate and create acceptable funeral contracts • Handles contracts, legal documents, and collection of monies or insurance in accordance with company policies. • Ensures client families are informed of special recognition/services available for veterans and ensures the delivery of selected recognition/services. • Confirms authorization to proceed with the service arrangements • Verifies identification of the deceased and authorization for embalming • Learns how to arrange for the interment or cremation of human remains • Adheres to all company and regulatory requirements • Cares for the deceased in a respectful manner while performing a variety of tasks which may include: • Removals and transfers • Lifting of deceased human remains • Dressing and casketing • Coordinating and assisting with funeral service and visitation • Delivery of flowers, caskets, urn, photos and other personal keepsakes or mementos of client families • Setting of chairs and the removal, proper care and storage of these items • Removals and transfers • Assists with funeral services by: • Coordinating the parking of cars • Ushering • Driving funeral vehicles • Assisting at chapel and church services • Assisting at the cemetery • Delivering flowers, caskets, urn, photos and other personal keepsakes or mementos of client families • Setting up chairs and the removing, properly caring for and storing of these items • Participating at special functions • Provides aftercare in absence of Family Service Counselor. Aftercare includes delivery of: • Documentation • Stationery • Information on insurance, health benefits and pension, • Pre-arrangements for next of kin • Ensures potential pre-need referrals are shared with Family Service Counselors • Completes and accurately prepares of all documents related to services, cremations, maintenance, and any other type of data entry • Assists with general office duties such as preparing reports as needed • Assists with the maintenance of vehicles, the facility and property • Receives caskets and other funeral home supplies as well as place into inventory • Ensures refreshments are available (where allowed by law) • Performs other duties as assigned MINIMUM Requirements Education • High School diploma or general equivalency degree (or diploma) • Completion of or currently enrolled in a degree training program at an accredited mortuary college or technical school specializing in funeral service or mortuary science. Experience • Typically requires a minimum of 6 months experience in a funeral home, crematory or cemetery Certification/Licenses • Must meet all licensing requirement in applicable state/province as required by law as prescribed by each state board • Valid driver’s license Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Knowledge of computers and some software including MS Office products required • High level of compassion and integrity • Good communication skills • Problem solving skills • Ability to multi task and set priorities Work CONDITIONS Work Environment • Work indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather conditions • Limited amount of local and/or multiple location traveling required • Professional Dress is required when in contact with families. Work Postures • Frequent, continuous periods of time standing, up 6 hours per day • Sitting continuously for many hours per day, up to 6 hours per day • Climbing stairs to access buildings frequently Physical Demands • Physical effort requiring manual dexterity is required, includes paperwork, calculators, computers and phone usage Work Hours • Working beyond “standard” hours as the need arises • Travel up to 25% Pay: $21.00 an hour Benefits: Medical*Dental*Vision*Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care)*Health Savings Account with Company Contribution*Sick Leave*Short-Term Disability*Long-Term Disability*Life Insurance*Voluntary Accidental Death or Dismemberment Insurance*Dependent Life Insurance*SCI 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company match*Employee Assistance Program Postal Code: 61704 Category (Portal Searching): Operations Job Location: US-IL - Bloomington

Apply at Service Corporation International