Kimberley Shearn
Keynsham,Avon
Summary
I have been a funeral arranger for nearly ten years; over this time I have gained a lot of knowledge covering all aspects of the funeral process. I have a passion for learning all parts of the job to make sure I am flexible,and always carry out tasks to the best of my ability. I have also spent time teaching Adults at Elsbridge House,to make life like porcelain dolls. I have also had the privilege of teaching floristry to a number of students. My whole working life I have tried and enjoyed working in a number of fields.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Funeral service specialist
Dignity
Keynsham
02.2021 - Current
- Provided compassionate support and guidance to bereaved families during planning stages and post-funeral periods.
- Arranged visitation and services for family and friends of deceased to attend and pay respect.
- Directed all aspects of funeral ceremonies, including venue preparation, service scheduling, and guest management.
- Collaborated with clients and families to clarify service requirements, ensuring a compassionate and tailored funeral experience.
- Coordinated transport logistics for funerals, ensuring timely and respectful transportation of deceased and family members.
- Demonstrated care, compassion and empathy in gathering and requesting information, providing detailed timelines of service events.
- Established pre-planning services, assisting individuals in arranging their own funeral plans to alleviate future family burden.
- Itemised funeral costs for family of deceased, collected payments and provided invoice for proof of transaction.
- Worked with other staff to comply with wishes of bereaved relations.
- Managed and communicated funeral booking details to establish availability, adequacy and accurate resources.
- Implemented stringent health and safety protocols in funeral home operations to protect staff and visitors.
- Observed health and sanitation standards in cleaning and embalming bodies, minimising spread of communicable diseases.
- Proactively liaised with office staff to provide family members with a full brief for services and scheduling process.
- Managed comprehensive funeral services, coordinating arrangements in accordance with family wishes and religious practices.
- Assisted clients and mourners by responding to enquiries and requests with empathy and understanding.
- Organised schedule of clergy, priests or pastors to deliver mass or service for deceased.
- Designed and implemented personalised memorial services, incorporating unique elements to celebrate life and reflect individual preferences.
- Established professional relationships with cemetery directors, church officials and vendors to build trust and rapport.
- Facilitated issuance of death notices, obituaries and related documents to submit to government agencies and newspapers.
- Helped bereaved individuals select caskets or urns after ascertaining funeral requirements.
- Coordinated transport of bodies from places of death to funeral homes on clients' instructions.
- Aided clients with making informed decisions by advising customers on various aspects of funeral services and legal requirements.
Funeral Service Arranger
Co-op Funeralcare
Bath
11.2016 - 02.2021
- Provided families with attentive support and comprehensive advice throughout the funeral planning process.
- Organised funeral dates and schedules in collaboration with funeral staff, clergy, and crematoriums to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Coordinated completion of relevant legal paperwork with third parties including doctors and crematoriums.
- Receiving first calls, which entails advising the caller of the process of registering the death and how the deceased is brought into our care.
- Liaising with co-ordinating with mortuary staff to arrange deceased being brought into our care from private addresses, care homes, hospitals and coroner's officers
- Selling pre-paid funeral plans
- Ordering and organising floral tributes
- Placing obituaries in newspapers on behalf of clients
- Organised headstones for removal and ordered new masonry.
- Processed banking transactions and issued invoices for services rendered.
Funeral Service Arranger
Dignity Caring Funeral Services
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Provided families with compassionate care and guidance throughout the funeral planning process.
- Organised dates and schedules for funerals, coordinating with funeral staff, clergy, and crematoriums.
- Liaising with co-ordinators and mortuary staff to arrange the deceased to be brought into our care from private addresses, care homes and hospitals.
- Received first calls, advising callers on registering death and the process for bringing deceased into our care.
- Arranging for the relevant paperwork to be completed by third parties such as doctors, crematoriums etc
- Managed financial transactions for the organisation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- Selling pre-paid funeral plans
- Ordering and organising floral tributes
- Placing obituaries in newspapers on behalf of clients
- Organised removal of headstones and ordered new masonry.
Manager
Lesley Floral Shop
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Managed bookings and meetings for weddings and funerals, ensuring seamless coordination and client support
- Developed targeted advertising and marketing strategies to increase brand visibility and attract clientele
- Created floral arrangements for events, enhancing aesthetic appeal and customer satisfaction
- Meeting with various wedding venues
- Corresponding with Funeral Directors
- Buying stock from wholesalers
- Dealing with customers via telephone or in store
- Processed banking transactions for customers
- Bookkeeping and invoicing
Funeral service arranger
Stenner & Hill Funeral Directors
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Provided families with compassionate care and guidance throughout the funeral planning process.
- Liaising with co-ordinators and mortuary staff to arrange deceased being bought into our care from private addresses, care homes and hospitals.
- Received first calls, advising callers on registering death and procedure for bringing deceased into care.
- Organising dates and schedules for funerals with funeral staff, clergy and crematoriums.
- Arranged completion of relevant paperwork by coordinating with third parties such as doctors and crematoriums.
- Managed financial transactions and deposits efficiently
- Facilitated sales of pre-paid funeral plans to clients
- Ordering and organising floral tributes
- Placing obituaries in newspapers on behalf of clients
- Organised headstone removals and ordered new masonry.
Florist
Flower Station
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Supported establishment of new business and educated owner on floristry supplies and stock needs.
- Created daily work schedules to streamline order fulfilment process.
- Maintained a clean and inviting shop environment, organising displays for optimal visual appeal.
- Developed professional relationships with customers to establish trust and reliability.
- Kept shop tidy to support environment and cleanliness standards.
Managing Director
Kimberley Floral Designs
Keynsham
01.2001 - 01.2008
- Buying stock from wholesalers
- Created floral arrangements tailored to client specifications
- Coordinated bookings and meetings for weddings and funerals, ensuring seamless event execution
- Meeting with various wedding venues
- Corresponding with Funeral Directors
- Developed advertising and marketing strategies
- Managed daily banking transactions
- Bookkeeping and invoicing
- Dealing with customers via telephone or in store
Education
GCSE - English, Maths, Art, Needle Work, Geography
Wellsway School
KeynshamCity and Guilds - Floristry Levels 1,2 and 3
Bath College
Skills
- Regulatory adherence
- Legal documentation
- Financial management
- Event coordination
- Service planning
- Client relationship management
- Grief counselling
- Compassionate communication
- Operational logistics
Timeline
Funeral service specialist
Dignity
02.2021 - Current
Funeral Service Arranger
Co-op Funeralcare
11.2016 - 02.2021
Funeral Service Arranger
Dignity Caring Funeral Services
01.2012 - 01.2016
Manager
Lesley Floral Shop
01.2011 - 01.2012
Funeral service arranger
Stenner & Hill Funeral Directors
01.2009 - 01.2011
Florist
Flower Station
01.2008 - 01.2009
Managing Director
Kimberley Floral Designs
01.2001 - 01.2008
GCSE - English, Maths, Art, Needle Work, Geography
Wellsway School
City and Guilds - Floristry Levels 1,2 and 3
Bath College