Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Funeral services specialist
Recognised by ordinance of 7 May 2007 (BGBl. I p. 673)

Duration of traineeship

3 years
The venues for training are the company and part-time vocational school (Berufsschule).

Field of activity

Funeral services specialists work for undertakers and in cemetery administration offices, in the latter case primarily operating at the cemeteries themselves.

Occupational skills

Funeral services specialists

• accord due consideration to relevant statutory stipulations, standards, safety provisions, rites and customs,
• work both autonomously and in a team,
• coordinate their work with others involved both inside and outside the company,
• work in a customer oriented way and use modern information and communication technologies,
• plan work processes, monitor and evaluate results, handle administrative processes, participate in costing procedures and apply measures relating to quality assurance and health and safety at work,
• prepare and use technical documentation, 
• handle and maintain tools, devices, machines and technical equipment,
• work with and process materials and auxiliary materials,
• accept and process orders to conduct funeral services,
• accord due consideration to wishes expressed regarding funeral services, are able to provide services and advice to family members making appropriate allowance for the grief they are suffering, apply appropriate (grief psychology) measures and supply information on available organisational and psychological support,
• conduct technical work at cemeteries, 
• care for the deceased in accordance with hygienic and thanatopractical principles,
• care for the deceased by transporting them, preserving them and laying them out,
• participate in the conducting of the funeral service,
• provide information on funeral plans available, make offers in respect of these and explain financial possibilities.

Last modified on: April 24, 2008