Licensed Funeral Director – Direct Cremation (Independent Contractor, New Grads Welcome)
Location: Golden Age Ascension in Round Rock Texas (serving families in Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Hutto, North Austin, and surrounding communities)
Position Type: 1099 Independent Contractor (Contract-to-Hire)
Job Summary
We are a new direct cremation funeral home serving families in the North Austin area with simple, transparent, and compassionate care. Our model focuses on straightforward cremation arrangements, most handled by phone, email, and online, with some in-person meetings. We partner with a trusted off-site cremation center and do not operate an on-site preparation room or embalming facility.
We are seeking a Licensed Funeral Director to serve as Funeral Director in Charge (FDIC) under a 1099 independent contractor agreement. This role is structured as a 1-year contract, with the first 90 days serving as a formal probation/evaluation period. Our goal is to build a stable, long-term working relationship, with potential to transition to W-2 employment in the future by mutual agreement.
This is an excellent opportunity for both new graduates and early-career directors who want broad responsibility, professional growth, and a voice in shaping a modern, ethical funeral practice.
Golden Age Ascension is a startup, and we’re looking for someone who wants to help us get off the ground — not just handle cases as they come in. We’re hoping to find a Funeral Director in Charge who takes real ownership of our growth: building relationships with hospices, hospitals, and care facilities, & introducing our name to the community. This is a role for someone who sees themselves as a partner in building the business, not just performing a job function.
Responsibilities
As the Licensed Funeral Director and FDIC, you will: (Parting pro software will allow for easier documentation)
- Serve as the Funeral Director in Charge (FDIC), maintaining compliance with Texas Funeral Service Commission rules, vital statistics requirements, and all applicable state and local regulations.
- Receive and initiate calls to next of kin; provide calm, compassionate guidance regarding direct cremation and available options.
- Schedule arrangement appointments (phone, virtual, or in-person) and send confirmations with necessary documents and instructions.
- Lead arrangement conferences: explain services & offerings, gather vital information, review pricing transparently, and obtain required signatures.
- Coordinate removals and transfers with our partner crematorium, following strict chain-of-custody procedures.
- Manage logistics with the cremation center, including scheduling, documentation, and case tracking.
- Prepare, submit, and maintain accurate death certificates, cremation authorizations, permits, and required documentation.
- Document all cases thoroughly in case-management software, following established workflows and data-entry standards.
- Handle after-hours and weekend on-call duties:
- Answer first calls from families, hospice, or facilities.
- Gather essential information and initiate the case.
- Provide immediate support and clear next steps.
- Ensure smooth handoff to daytime operations when appropriate.
- Communicate professionally with hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, medical examiners, and related agencies.
- Coordinate optional services if requested, such as music, flowers, obituary placement, printing, or simple receptions, working with third-party vendors as needed.
- Provide compassionate follow-up to families regarding cremated remains, memorial options, and documentation.
- Actively build our presence in the community: introduce Golden Age Ascension to hospices, hospitals, nursing homes, and other referral partners, and represent the firm at local outreach opportunities to help bring new families to us. This can include social media.
- Help refine procedures, scripts, and technology systems as the business grows.
- Uphold the firm’s values of compassion, transparency, compliance, and ethical service at all times.
Requirements
- Active, unrestricted Texas Funeral Director license.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to pass background and reference checks.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to speak with grieving families with empathy and clarity.
- Comfort working independently and as part of a small, growing team.
- Ability to quickly learn and use case-management platforms, e-signature tools, scheduling systems, and email.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills for handling permits, certificates, and electronic records.
- Professional conduct consistent with Texas state standards.
Preferred Qualifications
- Recent graduate of an accredited mortuary science or funeral service program, or 1–3 years of experience as a licensed funeral director.
- Experience with parting pro and/or Passare software is a plus but not required
- Experience with direct cremation or cremation operations.
- Experience handling after-hours calls, first-call intake, or working closely with hospice and long-term care facilities.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus but not required.
- An entrepreneurial, start-up mindset — genuinely motivated to help grow a new business, not just perform assigned duties, with an interest in networking, community outreach, and building referral relationships.
Compensation
- Consultation Rate: Negotiable based on experience.
- Commission/Bonus Opportunities: Per-case bonuses tied to completed at-need cases and/or customer satisfaction metrics. This is a low-pressure model focused on service—not upselling.
- On-Call Stipend: Flat stipend per after-hours shift.
Additional potential perks include:
- License and continuing education reimbursement.
- Opportunity to shape operations in a growing firm.
- Future potential transition to W-2 employment by mutual agreement.
- A collaborative, entrepreneurial environment with professional growth.
Consultation Schedule & On-Call Expectations
- Core Schedule: Approximately 40 hours per week during regular business hours (generally Monday–Friday, standard daytime hours, with flexibility as needed).
- After-Hours: Participation in an on-call schedule.
- Responsibilities include answering calls, gathering information, initiating arrangements, and providing immediate support.
- On-call shifts are compensated with a flat stipend.
Key Physical Requirements:
- Lifting and Moving: Frequently lift up to 75 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds, specifically for moving bodies.
- Manual Dexterity and Movement: Ability to push, pull, bend, kneel, reach, sit, and stand for long periods.
- Strength: Sufficient physical strength to handle heavy caskets and transport devices.
- Working Conditions: Exposure to cleaning chemicals, bloodborne pathogens, and outdoor elements (inclement weather, extreme temperatures).
- Mobility: Must be able to drive a company vehicle and maintain a good driving record.
- On-Call Demands: Funeral directors are often on-call 24 hours a day, requiring the ability to wake up and perform duties immediately.
- Safety Compliance: Must be willing to adhere to safety procedures, including wearing personal protective equipment.
About Us
We are a small, family-owned, entrepreneurial direct cremation firm focused on serving families with clarity, transparency, and compassion. Our model eliminates unnecessary complexity and high-pressure sales tactics. We believe families deserve honest information, respectful care, and straightforward pricing.
As a startup, we're still building our name in Central Texas — which means this role carries real weight. We're looking for someone who wants to help us get off the ground: introducing our firm to the community, building trust with referral partners, and putting energy into the success of the business alongside us.
This role is ideal for a new or newer funeral director who wants meaningful responsibility, ethical practice, professional growth, and a more flexible environment than a large corporate firm.
If you value integrity, compliance, and compassionate service—and want to help shape a modern funeral practice—we would love to meet you.
How to Apply
Please apply with:
- Your resume.
- A short cover letter or paragraph describing:
- Why you are interested in direct cremation work.
- Your experience (or training) with after-hours calls and first-call intake.
New graduates and those near completion of their apprenticeship/internship with an Active Individual Blue License from the Texas Funeral Service Commission are encouraged to apply.
Ability to Relocate:
- Round Rock, TX 78681: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
