Thursday, January 21, 2010

Skills And Personal Qualities Needed For Undertakers

By Marjorie Wong

Arranging and organising services linked to funerals are normally left in charge of undertakers, who are also known as funeral directors. Some of the critical qualities and traits that are required by people who are in this profession are listed below.

As he may be required at any hour of the day, an undertaker should be ready to work at odd hours also. This is essentially an outdoors job, which will require him to be away from office for long hours.

The undertaker must be able to respect the feelings of customers, listen and comprehend their requirements and communicate lucidly. People from different cultures, religions and ethnicities as well as those of any age will have to be managed by him with equal ease. He should be compassionate and must understand others' feelings. However, he must be emotionally strong and not get carried away by other people's sorrow, so that he can offer emotional support to them.

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

Knowledge of various religious customs, rituals and beliefs and due respect for these greatly helps undertakers in succeeding in their profession. They should also be familiar with the funeral rites and customs of burial of various sects.

A good undertaker will naturally possess good management abilities and organisation skills. He should also have leadership abilities and must be able to interact with a large number of people - from the church priests to the local florist.

Legalities and other official formalities to be followed in the event of a death should be familiar to the undertaker who will have to get the requisite approvals etc for the funeral proceedings and other related things. He will need to be fully aware of procedures to be followed for the purpose of collecting death certificates or claims for insurance.

Finally, he must necessarily be able to and be eligible to drive vehicles like limousines and hearses during the funeral service.

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