The Three Philosophies of Funeral Service Management

Question 1

1. Owner-manager-technician concept
2. Whole man concept
3. Comprimise system

Answer 1

The Three Philosophies of Funeral Service Management

Question 2

The most traditional and most common.

• License 1- takes in all calls and makes all arrangements.
• License 2- Supervises the visitation, conducts the funeral through the committal.
• License 3- Supervises removals and embalming and preparation for the visitation.
• Office Manager- Does not have to be licensed- paperwork and billing.

Answer 2

Owner-Manager-Technician Concept

Question 3

• Not all licensed employees qualified to do all tasks.
• Some states still have split licenses
• Many owners unwilling to experiment with other stuctures.
• Supports unionization by isolating workers into specific tasks.

Answer 3

What has The Owner-Manager-Technician Concept Dominated?

Question 4

Full service to the family by one funeral director from first call to post funeral conference. The rotation of funeral directors as calls come in, placing the responsibility of the entire funeral on one person.

Answer 4

Whole Man Concept

Question 5

• First call information
• Removal of remains
• Arrangement conference
• Embalming and other preparation of the remains.
• Works the floor during visitation
• Conducts the funeral through the committal
• Responsible for paperwork
• Responsible for post funeral conference and collecting the bill.

Answer 5

License 1- Whole Man Concept

Question 6

Goes on call after license 1 takes his/her call, license 3 etc.

Answer 6

License 2- Whole Man Concept

Question 7

• All licenses must be fully qualified in all aspects of funeral service.
• Maximizes work output and eliminates gold bricking.
• Family deals with one director from start to finish.
• Owners fear that certain directors may develop a following and eventually this employee may become a competitor
• Employee less likely to burn out from boredom
• Allows time off until licensee’s turn comes up in the cycle.
• Does not support unionization

Answer 7

Advantages, Disadvantages, Requirements for Whole Man Concept

Question 8

Tasks rotated on a weekly basis.

Answer 8

Compromise System

Question 9

• All licensed funeral directors must be fully qualified in all aspects of funeral service.
• Requires the full staff on a daily basis.
• Family becomes confused- never see the same director.
• Little chance for the licensee to build a following.
• Less likely for burnout
• Does not support unionization
• Less time off- each person supports the other.

Answer 9

Advantages, Disadvantages, Requirements of Compromise System

Question 10

One who is fully licensed as a funeral director and embalmer (mortician in MD) and capable of performing all funeral related tasks associated with serving the public during their time of need in the disposition of their loved one.

Answer 10

Professional Funeral Service Practitioner