- Reading / lifelong learner
- Advocating for positive community change
- Environmental conservation
- Photography
- Animal welfare
- Writing (creative writing, memoirs)
- Psychology (depth psychology, psychoanalysis)
Korey Needham
Asheboro,NC
Summary
Passionate, client-focused Funeral Director/Embalmer with over 9 consecutive years' (at the same firm!) experience of assisting families in all aspects of caring for their loved ones. Skilled at promoting a sense of comfort and safety, with the ability to reach others and connect with their heart during life's most difficult transitions. Detail-oriented, thorough and committed to a job well done, not afraid to work long hours, including on-call, nights and weekends.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Pugh Funeral Home
10.2021 - 03.2026
- Coordinated funeral services, ensuring adherence to family requests and regulatory compliance.
- Managed logistics for transport of deceased, optimizing routes and schedules for timely arrivals.
- Developed personalized memorial services.
- Assisted in the preparation of bodies for visitation or burial, adhering to strict standards of care.
- Liaised between hospitals, physicians, county coroner and members of clergy to coordinate final arrangements.
- Served diverse clientele by offering a range of culturally and religiously appropriate services.
- Upheld legal compliance with local regulations regarding burials, cremations, and embalming practices.
- Maintained duties required of an on-call schedule for the duration of my position
- Counseled bereaved individuals, offering emotional support during challenging times.
- Improved client satisfaction by providing compassionate and personalized funeral services.
- Picked up deceased at private homes, hospitals and county morgues.
- Discussed nature of funeral service, disposition of remains and funeral costs with family members.
- Performed embalming procedures and updated case study reports.
- Managed financial transactions and record-keeping with accuracy and confidentiality.
- Facilitated pre-planning consultations, guiding clients through complex decision-making processes.
- Drafted and published obituaries on behalf of families served.
- Secured and filed burial permits, in addition to transporting remains to and from airport for domestic & international travel.
- Communicated with insurance companies to secure death benefits for payment of services.
- Continuously updated industry knowledge by attending professional workshops, conferences, and seminars.
- Maintained meticulous records in compliance with state regulations, ensuring legal and ethical standards were met.
- Built strong relationships with local clergy, cemeteries, and other funeral service providers, facilitating smooth coordination of services.
- Worked with cemeteries to schedule grave opening and closing.
- Mentored junior embalmers on techniques and safety protocols, enhancing team performance.
- Trained staff on proper sanitation practices to uphold hygiene standards during embalming processes.
- Assisted families in understanding the embalming process, fostering trust and transparency during difficult times.
- Ensured legal compliance for each case.
- Demonstrated expertise in various types of embalming, including arterial, cavity, and hypodermic treatments.
- Assisted with autopsies, reports, and transport.
Funeral Assistant
Pugh Funeral Home
01.2017 - 10.2021
- Coordinated transportation logistics for deceased individuals, optimizing routes to enhance timely services.
- Assisted in preparation of bodies for viewing and burial, ensuring dignity and respect throughout process.
- Supported families during arrangements by providing compassionate guidance and addressing inquiries effectively.
- Implemented inventory management systems for funeral supplies, reducing waste and ensuring availability of necessary items.
- Supported funeral director with all facets of funeral service coordination.
- Drove various company vehicles to transport remains, flowers, equipment and families to services.
- Welcomed families and visitors into facility and guided into appropriate visitation rooms or chapel.
- Set up flowers, opened and closed caskets and acted as pallbearer.
- Provided personal assistance and emotional support to clientele.
- Provided administrative support to funeral home staff.
- Processed death certificates and other required paperwork.
- Used Mortuary Information Management Systems, SRS Procession and FaCTS to create and print tribute cards, guest books and prayer cards, in addition to creating executable service contracts.
- Performed administrative duties by obtaining burial permits and doctors' signatures on death certificates and registering deaths.
- Completed cremation processing and transferred remains to chosen urn.
- Performed embalming procedures and updated case study reports.
- Picked up deceased at private homes, hospitals and county morgues.
- Displayed highest level of professionalism and sensitivity when dealing with grieving family members.
- Enhanced overall team performance by actively participating in ongoing training opportunities, staying current on industry trends, regulations, and best practices.
- Maintained duties required of an on-call schedule on a weekly basis for the duration of my position.
Clerk
United States Postal Service
09.2016 - 01.2019
- Processed incoming and outgoing mail efficiently, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to service standards.
- Assisted customers with inquiries and package tracking, enhancing customer satisfaction through effective communication.
- Trained new clerks on best practices for mail handling and customer service protocols, fostering a knowledgeable team environment.
- Led initiatives to optimize parcel sorting methods, resulting in reduced delays and improved accuracy in deliveries.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline sorting processes, improving overall workflow efficiency.
- Utilized strong multitasking skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks, ensuring timely completion of each assignment.
- Provided quality clerical support through data entry, document management, email correspondence, and overseeing operation of office equipment.
- Improved customer satisfaction by promptly answering inquiries and providing accurate information.
- Ensured confidentiality of sensitive documents through proper storage methods and restricted access control implementation.
- Reviewed files, records and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
- Compiled and analyzed data to produce reports.
- Opened and closed post office(s) independently.
- Worked at numerous (8+) area offices to cover staffing shortages.
- Maintained strong, positive customer relationships.
- Exhibited continuous growth throughout employment.
Patient Registration Representative
Randolph Hospital
01.2016 - 09.2016
- Coordinated with healthcare providers to verify insurance information and obtain necessary authorizations.
- Maintained accurate medical records and patient information in electronic health systems.
- Gathered demographic information to register patients for medical procedures, imaging and lab testing.
- Demonstrated adaptability in handling high-volume periods while maintaining a calm demeanor, resulting in efficient service delivery during peak hours.
- Answered telephone calls to offer office information, provide answers to questions, and direct calls to staff.
- Maintained patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations and securing sensitive information.
- Built rapport with diverse populations through excellent interpersonal skills, empathy, and active listening abilities during interactions with patients and families.
- Explained financial responsibilities to patients as well as payment options and potential collection procedures.
- Facilitated positive patient experiences by offering compassionate service, anticipating needs, and providing assistance throughout the registration process.
- Reduced wait times for patients by consistently processing registrations promptly and efficiently.
- Increased accuracy of billing processes by thoroughly reviewing charges, diagnosis codes, and any required documentation before submission to insurance companies.
- Performed various administrative tasks by scanning, filing, copying and faxing documents.
- Coordinated specialist referrals for patients requiring additional care, facilitating efficient transfer of medical records as needed.
- Increased patient satisfaction by responding with true empathy and professionalism.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Funeral Service Education
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC07-2021
Skills
- Embalming (including autopsies, organ donation, trauma, restorative arts)
- OSHA regulations & HIPAA compliance
- Certified Crematory Operator
- On-call work, nights/weekends/holidays
- Medical Terminology
- Notary public
- Funeral planning, coordination and execution
- Administrative tasks
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, etc)
- Compassionate communication
- Team player, supporting and collaborating with others
- Writing contracts/processing payments
Certification
- Certified Crematory Operator
Cremation Association of North America
- Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer (NC Funeral Service Licensee)
North Carolina Board of Funeral Service
- Certified Death Doula
International Association of Professions Career College
- Certified Notary Public
North Carolina Secretary of State
Accomplishments
- Completed 2,000 hours in 12 months per the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS) Funeral Service Licensee Apprenticeship Program: 2020
- Completed 25 Family Arrangement Conferences per the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS) Funeral Service Licensee Apprenticeship Program: 2020
- Completed 25 Embalming Cases per the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS) Funeral Service Licensee Apprenticeship Program: 2020
- Completed the Cremation Association of North America's (CANA's) Crematory Operation Certification Program: 2020
- Passed The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards - National Board Exam, Arts (1st attempt): 2021
- Passed The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards - National Board Exam, Science (1st attempt): 2021
- Passed North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS) - North Carolina State Board of Laws, Rules and Regulations Exam (1st attempt): 2021
- Completed North Carolina Notary Public course and passed subsequent state exam: 2023
- Completed International Association of Professions Career College Death Doula Certification Course: 2024
Affiliations
- Cremation Association of North America (CANA) - Member
- National Home Funeral Alliance (NHFA) - Member
- Green Burial Council (GBC) - Member
- National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) - Member
- The Order of the Good Death - Member
- Science and Nonduality (SAND) - Member
Interests
Communication
I thoroughly enjoy being part of a team; always dedicated to doing my best, while understanding it takes all of us working well together to accomplish our goals. I believe clear communication is conducive to not only an efficient work environment, but a happy and enjoyable one, too.
Timeline
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Pugh Funeral Home
10.2021 - 03.2026
Funeral Assistant
Pugh Funeral Home
01.2017 - 10.2021
Clerk
United States Postal Service
09.2016 - 01.2019
Patient Registration Representative
Randolph Hospital
01.2016 - 09.2016
Associate of Applied Science - Funeral Service Education
Fayetteville Technical Community College