Family Services Event Coordinator

The Family Services Event Coordinator assists families with the planning and coordination of private memorial services, cremation events, and graveside burial services. The coordinator serves as the primary point of contact with all families scheduling funeral-related events on the Cemetery’s campus, guiding each through all stages of the event planning and coordination process. The coordinator completes all administrative tasks, including invoicing and receipt of all requirement paperwork, and provides staffing at burials, memorial services, and other funerary-related and private events. The coordinator works collaboratively with the Cemetery Operations, Cremation, Security and Event Operations staff to ensure that all private family events meet Mount Auburn’s standards for exceptional customer service. 

About this Role:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Coordinates and staffs all private cemetery events, including memorial services and receptions, cremation events, and graveside ceremonies
  • Follows all documented workflows while booking private family events:
    • Guides families through the process of selecting the appropriate event package and completing booking details
    • Provides in-person or virtual tours of cemetery chapels as part of chapel-based event bookings
    • Communicates cemetery procedures and protocols effectively to families in advance to prepare them for when they arrive
    • Creates client records and service work orders for all scheduled services in Mount Auburn’s digital enterprise system
    • Prepares invoicing, receipts, and collects all documents and paperwork required for scheduled services
    • Coordinates with events and operations staff to ensure proper event set-up and break-down
    • Confirms event details with families and external vendors
  • Provides staffing support for all private events:
    • Inspects event setup prior to family/client arrival
    • Meets/greets guests when they arrive at Cemetery for scheduled event
    • Leads burial events to graveside location; greets guests at building location for chapel-based events
    • Sets up and operates cemetery AV equipment, as necessary
    • Acts as liaison with any external vendors providing event services such as musicians and caterers
  • Completes follow-up communication with all families, including after-care mailings and surveys
  • Works alongside the cemetery services team to maintain an up-to-date events calendar
  • Assists families with setting up a virtual memorial page through our website
  • Assists with general administrative support for the Cemetery Services department
  • Provides staffing at Cemetery-sponsored public events including its annual Winter Solstice event as requested
  • Maintains Cemetery’s reputation as a provider of quality service offerings and represents the organization’s commitments and values in all customer interactions
  • Ensures accurate data collection and data entry in Cemetery’s CRM system
  • Participates in personal professional development and department training to stay up to date on industry best practices, cemetery law, and company policies
  • As with all Cemetery staff, assists with any cemetery business including special meetings, conferences, Friends events, and public programs as needed
  • Demonstrates responsible stewardship for the environment when planning and implementing all duties incorporated in job description

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Friendly, customer-focused, helpful attitude
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • A capacity to compassionately engage with others at a time of emotional distress or need
  • Ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure
  • Dependable, punctual, and reliable
  • Strong communication skills and an ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing
  • 3 years of customer service and/or event coordination experience preferred
  • Strong computer and typing skills required. Specifically, Microsoft Office Excel, Word, and Outlook.  Experience with relational databases preferred.
  • Experience managing virtual meetings or events and comfort operating A/V equipment
  • Collaborative working skills and ability to communicate successfully with employees at all levels
  • Must have excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks quickly and efficiently
  • Must be a self-starter with strong initiative and the ability to work independently
  • Must be patient, energetic, creative, and flexible as work demands change
  • Flexibility to work nights and weekends, as necessary
  • Must present a good professional image
  • Must have a valid driver’s license
  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

  • The coordinator’s time is spent equally indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
  • Regular Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Tuesday through Saturday

About our Organization:

Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and now visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall. 

Full time employees are offered a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health insurance, and 401K options.

All employees of Mount Auburn Cemetery are “at will’ employees and must adhere to Mount Auburn’s “Business Ethics and Conduct.”

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume (Microsoft Word document or PDF) and include “Family Services Event Coordinator” in the subject area, to: jobs@mountauburn.org.  

Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.