Professional Expertise And Traits Required For An Undertaker's Profession

By Helena Wong

Undertakers, also called Funeral Directors, are professionals who organize activities and services related to funerals. To be successful in this profession the undertaker performing these tasks should have certain important and unique skills and attributes.

An undertaker should be energetic and be ready to work at odd hours, as he should be on call 24 hours a day. He should be prepared to work away from his workplace as the task requires him to be available at the place where his services are needed.

To be an undertaker, a person must be able to communicate well and be open to the opinions of others. With customers hailing from many religions, traditions and cultures, he must be able to interact with and handle each one of them efficiently. Understanding and compassion will be of much importance as he performs his job. But he will need to offer support to the bereaved family and must remain strong and mentally detached to be able to do so.

Undertakers must be dignified by nature and practise seriousness, but should not look sad or morose, as this may intensify the grief of the family members of the deceased person.

By nature, undertakers should not be narrow minded. They should be ready to honour the faith and beliefs of all religions and should be knowledgeable in this area. As various people follow different funeral customs and rituals, it is advantageous to have understanding of these.

Good management and the power to organize affairs are important skills for an undertaker. Making preparations for essential services like flowers, ceremonies etc will entail cooperation with several providers and will need leadership and guidance abilities.

Legal procedures and other official formalities to be followed in case of a death must be familiar to the undertaker who will have to get the requisite approvals etc for the funeral proceedings and other related matters. He must also be aware of the official procedures to be adhered to for obtaining insurance claims, death certificates etc.

Lastly, an undertaker must make sure that his driver's licence is regularly updated and that he can drive the funeral vehicle during the service.

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