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Funeral Assistant Jobs in Ridgeland, MS (NOW HIRING)

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Funeral Assistant information

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How much do funeral assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for funeral assistant in Ridgeland, MS is $13.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.43 and $15.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a funeral assistant?

A funeral assistant, also known as a funeral attendant, assists the director of a funeral home. As a funeral assistant, your responsibilities include assisting in planning the events of the funeral, escorting each guest and family member to the service, and potentially helping with the preparations of the remains. You also may help with selecting of caskets or making cremation service arrangements. Your job is to assist the funeral director in any way possible to make the funeral logistics less stressful, allowing the family to focus on grieving. This is an entry-level job for someone looking to make a career in the mortuary field.

How much do funeral assistants get paid?

Funeral assistants typically earn between $25,000 and $45,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages. Compensation often includes benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.

What qualifications do I need to be a funeral assistant?

To become a funeral assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Relevant skills include compassion, attention to detail, and the ability to handle physical tasks; some employers may prefer prior experience in customer service or healthcare. Certification is not usually required but can enhance job prospects.

What is the difference between Funeral Assistant vs Embalmer?

AspectFuneral AssistantEmbalmer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingState license; mortuary science degree
Work EnvironmentFuneral homes, assisting with arrangements and setupFuneral homes, preparing bodies for services
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in funeral service industrySpecialized role within funeral service industry

Funeral Assistants typically handle logistical tasks and support funeral directors, requiring minimal formal education. Embalmers perform body preservation and require specialized training and licensing. While both roles work in funeral homes, their responsibilities and credentials differ significantly.

What are the most common challenges funeral assistants face when supporting grieving families?

Funeral Assistants frequently encounter the challenge of providing compassionate support to families while managing logistical details under emotional circumstances. Balancing empathy with professionalism is key, as families may have specific requests or last-minute changes. Additionally, maintaining composure during emotionally charged moments and ensuring that services run smoothly requires effective communication and adaptability. Most teams provide training and mentorship to help new assistants develop these essential interpersonal skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a funeral assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Funeral Assistant, you need organizational skills, attention to detail, and basic knowledge of funeral service protocols, typically supported by a high school diploma or relevant vocational training. Familiarity with scheduling software, record-keeping systems, and the safe handling of funeral equipment is often required. Compassion, discretion, and strong interpersonal skills are crucial for supporting grieving families and coordinating with colleagues. These abilities are essential to ensure respectful, smooth-running services and to provide comfort during emotionally challenging times.
What job categories do people searching Funeral Assistant jobs in Ridgeland, MS look for? The top searched job categories for Funeral Assistant jobs in Ridgeland, MS are:
What cities near Ridgeland, MS are hiring for Funeral Assistant jobs? Cities near Ridgeland, MS with the most Funeral Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Funeral Assistant job openings in Ridgeland, MS as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $27,976 per year, or $13.4 per hour.

Donation Communication Specialist I

Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency

Flowood, MS • On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

General Statement (Summary of duties and responsibilities):
Donation Communication Specialist I (DCS I
The Donation Communication Specialist I (DCS I) serves as the initial point of contact for all incoming vented and non-vented referrals from our Donor Service Area into MORA. This role is responsible for gathering the appropriate level of medical information to support donor eligibility evaluations for organ, eye, and tissue donation. The DCS I ensure timely and accurate distribution of clinical data to designated personnel for follow-up.
Upon successful completion of training and demonstrated proficiency in the DCS I role, the position will transition to Donation Communication Specialist II (DCS II), reflecting expanded responsibilities and a deeper level of engagement in the donation process.
Donation Communication Specialist II (DCS II)
The Donation Communication Specialist II (DCS II) continues to manage incoming vented and non-vented referrals from our Donor Service Area into MORA, collecting essential medical information to support donor eligibility evaluations for organ, eye, and tissue donation. In addition to these responsibilities, The DCS II plays a pivotal role in donor family outreach.
This includes initiating phone approaches to families of potential tissue and/or eye donors who have been deemed medically suitable for donation. The DCS II investigates donor designation status and, when appropriate, sensitively introduces the option of donation to the legal next of kin (LNOK). These conversations require thoughtful discretion, empathy, and respect for the family's circumstances, values, and beliefs.
The DCS II is responsible for obtaining recorded disclosure for registered donors or recorded authorization when donation is agreed upon. They ensure families receive comprehensive information to make fully informed decisions. This role also includes providing ongoing support and follow-up to donor families as needed, reinforcing MORA's commitment to compassionate care and ethical practice.
Organizational Responsibility:
As an employee of MORA, it is essential to value our commitment to our mission and vision. All employees must maintain effective communication, exhibit teamwork, respect diversity, follow policies and procedures, demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness while meeting productivity standards, observe safety and security procedures, be consistently punctual and dependable, and continually demonstrate our core values.
Education and Work Experience Qualifications:
  1. Current Nursing degree, EMT/Paramedic, Respiratory Therapist, social work, or completion of an accredited clinical healthcare program resulting in certification, registry, licensure, or equivalent work experience. Additional relevant experience may substitute the degrees or credentials above.
  2. Prior referral screening experience preferred.
  3. Must have strong typing skills, be detail-oriented, and be able to provide accuracy in documentation.
  4. Proficiency with MS Office and the use of a telephone system is vital.
  5. Must have the ability to work with all levels of personnel in several healthcare settings and work within the guidelines of various institutions.
  6. Must simultaneously perform multiple complex processes and prioritize tasks to optimize workflow to ensure compliance with established policies and timelines.
  7. Excellent communication skills are required. Must have the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel and to represent the organization publicly.
  8. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team is required.

Essential Job Functions:
  1. Responds to all incoming calls/emails to triage referrals for organ/tissue donor evaluation.
  2. Evaluate initial potential tissue donors per MORA, AATB, and tissue processor criteria to provide safe tissue for transplantation.
  3. As appropriate, communicate and provide critical medical screening information to other MORA departments, processors, and agencies.
  4. Investigates every referral given to MORA for the possibility of it having a donor designation in the National and Mississippi Donor Registry.
  5. Reviews tissue/eye referrals for adequate triage and, if insufficient, further screens the referral with the hospital, MORA Tissue, and MLEB AOC to determine donor eligibility.
  6. Collaborates with physicians, nurses, hospital chaplains, social workers, and funeral homes to ensure best practice and outcomes for the donor family.
  7. Communicates to the tissue recovery staff pertinent medical or social donor information.

Performs data entry corrections as required per established timelines.
  1. Attends ongoing education on tissue recovery and best practices for donor triage.
  2. Meets agreed-upon goals and objectives effectively and promptly.
  3. Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Environment/Working Conditions:
Work Hours: 12-hour shifts. Hours outside of the traditional shifts may be permitted to assist with schedule coverage.
This is not a remote position.
Category III
The incumbent in this position has virtually no potential for occupational exposure.
Equipment/Machinery Used:
Computer, scanner, telephone, mobile phone, paper shredder, fax machine.