Profile
I am currently studying towards my NAFD Diploma while working within a well-established, independent, Funeral Director in the Midlands. I would describe myself as an extremely determined, vigilant and reliable individual who enjoys new challenges. I have first-class communication skills and feel I thrive when working within teams as well as working independently. I feel I stay calm and work efficiently and professionally under pressure. Motivating a group of people is a task I enjoy thoroughly. I feel I have first class skills when approaching a bereaved family, as well as being able to gather the relevant information from them when booking a funeral. I am a qualified funeral arranger and shortly should be a fully qualified funeral director (Exam March 2016). My organisation skills are to the highest level.
Work Experience
February 2016 – Present
Jonathan Howell and Daughters Funeral Directors
I hold a managerial position at J.Howell and Daughters Funeral Directors.
I am responsible for two funeral homes and ten members of staff. I am employed as a funeral director also, I see the funeral through fully, I do out of hours removals, all the way through to conducting the funeral. I do every aspect of what would need to be done to complete a funeral (Except embalming).
My Managerial duties are to make sure each day, there is a running sheet complete for what funerals we have the next day, which informs staff members if they are needed to be a bearer or to drive a vehicle. Daily work sheets are also completed, so that anything outstanding such as dressing of a deceased, chapel viewings are in the coffin and ready for visits, any deceased that need embalming are booked to be embalmed, any outstanding hospital removals have appointments booked to be collect, etc. I also do invoicing, accounts, attend council meeting, complaints (internally & externally), job interviews, ordering coffins, performing first offices (closing eyes and suturing mouths) and managing staff.
September 2015- February 2016
Tamworth Co-Operative Funeral Directors
I moved to Tamworth Co-operative as they are owned by a big corporate business and had a lot faster pace than the independent that I had previously worked for; I was looking for more of a challenge. I was looking to gain more experience in the actual funeral service rather than just arranging funerals. I was running a branch office that did around 200 funerals which I was arranging funerals, preparing deceased for chapel of rest visits, general preparation of the deceased, lining and fitting coffins, removals of deceased into our care, tending to doctors, coffin plates, placing cremated remains into caskets etc. I was responsible for all parts of the job. I would also be required as a bearer on funerals. This job position was only a short time, as I was approached from an independent funeral director in the Midlands, to become a manager for their funeral home.
October 2014 – September 2015
Ian Hazel Funerals Ltd
Immediately following my return to the Midlands after my work experience at Barrells in Portsmouth, Ian Hazel Funerals offered me a position as a Funeral Arranger. I underwent three months of intense training at the Head Office branch in Sutton Coldfield before I was sent to oversee both branch offices in Aldridge and Great Barr. Working in a branch as a lone worker, my duties expand beyond merely booking funerals. On a regular basis I have to deal with more than one family at a time coming in to book a funeral, and viewings of a different Deceased. Moving coffins and dealing with the Deceased do not faze me. I have learnt to handle and enjoy the pressure of working on my own. I understand all requisite paperwork: for cemeteries, crematoria and coroners.. I have booked repatriations, horse drawn funerals, sold top coffins and have a good knowledge of the requirements of different religions. I have both assisted and conducted funerals.. I assist on removals, take first calls, do donations, month end figures and have a strong working relationship with all my colleagues and all staff from third party companies, such as crematoria staff. I also have a high return rate of funerals with families/clients passing positive feedback to friends and family, who also end up using our firm. I am efficient with paperwork and consistent with the high standards needed in this profession.
July 2014 – September 2014
Barrells Funeral Directors,
Portsmouth
My time at Barrells was so short due to the fact that I was offered a position purely to gain experience with an independent firm that did over a thousand funerals a year. I thoroughly enjoyed being in an environment that was face-paced, challenging, established and traditional.. At Barrells, I undertook the basic duties of viewings, taking calls, funeral paperwork, inputting funerals onto Funeral Manager, compiling Orders Of Service, keepsakes for donations and floral tributes, checking floral tributes, body preparation, setting up chapel, liaising with families for any information missing on arrangements, checking in and out cremated remains, liaising with doctors, cleaning hearses and limousines before leaving and assisting on funerals.
February 2013 – June 2014
Jukes Holdings/Ian Hazel Funerals
Having made my decision to enter the funeral profession, I decided to gain initial experience within my Father’s coffin manufacturing business (Jukes Holdings Ltd). I believe it is important to have knowledge of all different fields within funeral directing in order to become successful. I am now the third generation in my family to enter the profession.. In addition to Jukes Holdings, Ian Hazel also gave me the start-up opportunity to work with his staff to acquire an understanding of the funeral directing process from removing the body to the funeral service. It was also an excellent way for me to see first hand what the client requires from the funeral service process. Within Jukes Holdings, I was responsible for all the sales and marketing for a company within the group (APL). I liaised with customers on a regular basis, keeping them up- to-date with new products and maintaining healthy relationships. I organised Open Days for clients, planning the event from start to finish and accommodating overseas clients as well as funeral directors from all over the country. I prepared and designed my own invites, brochures and handouts. I also researched potential new clients and funeral directors who would be interested in APL’s unique range of coffins.
November 2012 –January 2013
Amazon
Agency Manager
In my role at Amazon I was responsible for managing an average of 200 people per shift. I had to ensure they maintained their targets each shift.
October 2011- November 2012 (part time) 30 hrs a week + over time
Argos/Homebase Home Retail Group
Customer service advisor/ sales
I worked in an environment in which I was consistently put under pressure to sort out the high demand of customers with complaints, chasing deliveries, placing orders and also dealing with all irate customers to sort out any concerns that may have arisen within the boundaries of my department. I learnt to create rapport with customers, step outside the box when solving customers’ problems. I understood the importance of always being diplomatic and truthful when dealing with customers and understanding what they are want. However, I also understand that there is a balance to be found betweenwhat the customer wants and what is best for the business.
July 2011 – October 2011
Event Planner
I organised and held events for 250 people. My duties were to create the entire social event, targeted at the under 18’s demographic.under 18’s. I sourced venues, finalised finances, created promotions, organised printing, took charge of the Facebook update statuses, sorted out drinks and food. I also created rotas for everyone working during the event.
I also arranged bands for an event that Minster Hall in Staffordshire held for charity.
Reason for leaving- I was offered a job with more stable hours.
March 2011 – July 2011(part time position)
WIS International
Stocktaking
Duties included stocktaking and data collection.
Reason for leaving – I moved to Manchester to start University.
April 2007 – April 2010 (part time position)
Midlands Funeral Supplies LTD
Assistant Secretary
Main duties included filing, photocopying, updating the company database, taking telephone messages, data entry, wages using Sage Line 50, yearly expenses, typing up letters from the company to buyers, sending emails and ordering stationery.
Reasons for leaving – Offered another position nearer home.
Key Skills
• Communication Skills
• Time Management
• Customer Service
• Administration
• Excellent telephone manner
• Strong team player
• Using my innovative
• Well presented
• I have good knowledge of the trade
• Approachable
• I have good listening skills
• Integrity
Education
Manchester Metropolitan University
BIFD Certificate (British Institute of Funeral Directors)
NAFD
Diploma (National Association of Funeral Directors)
Subjects studied:
I attended Manchester Metropolitan University studying advertising management and brand management between the months of September 2010 – March 2011. The reason I did not continue with my course was because I wanted to embark on more suited subjects for my ambitions.
I passed the BIFD Certificate in Arranging and Administration.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I have had to change associations to gain my qualification and I am now studying for my Diploma with the NAFD.
The Friary Arts and Sports College 2009
AS Levels
Art A
Media B
English B
The Friary Arts and Sports College 2010
A Levels
Art B
Media C
English C
The Friary Arts And Sports College
2006 – 2010
GCSE
BTEC Diploma Art & Design AAAA*
ICT Pass
English Literature C
English Language C
Textiles
Religious Education C
French C
Maths C
