Marie-Josée Montes
Innisfil,ON
Summary
Dedicated Senior Funeral Director with expertise in empathetic listening, critical thinking, and effective time management. Proven ability to manage complex funeral arrangements while providing compassionate support to grieving families.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Funeral Director
Catholic Cemetery Archidiosis of Toronto
Thornhill, Ontario
05.2025 - Current
- Managed arrangements for burial and cremation processes effectively.
- Supported grieving families with compassionate guidance and resources.
- Prepared and maintained accurate documentation for all services provided.
- Oversaw transportation logistics for deceased individuals and family members.
- Performed administrative duties such as answering phones, filing paperwork and completing forms.
- Organized funeral services and memorials, including arranging for clergy, pallbearers, flowers, music and other necessary items.
- Maintained records of all contracts, payments and services provided.
- Led and directed funeral and graveside services.
- Participated in continuing education courses to maintain licensure requirements.
- Provided support to colleagues during times of high volume activity.
Senior Funeral Director
Glendale Funeral Home
Etobicoke, Canada
01.2013 - 03.2025
- Manage and arrange funeral services across multiple religious traditions.
- Organized funeral services and memorials, including arranging for clergy, pallbearers, flowers, music and other necessary items.
- Coordinated funeral arrangements for both pre-need and at-need services
- Coordinated staff scheduling and allocated responsibilities for optimized day-to-day operations
- Managed paperwork for vital records, permits, and insurance claims.
- Managed and confirmed vehicle coverage for funeral-related and other service needs
- Executed transfers from both hospital and additional locations.
- Embalmed and restored human remains in compliance with legal standards and family specifications
- Introduced families to multiple product offerings like caskets, urns, vaults, and flowers
- Provided English/Spanish translation and interpretation
- Confirmed services meet customer expectations and offer value-added benefits with compassionate and empathetic assistance
- Ensured compliance with all health and safety procedures and guidelines.
- Sourced supplies driven by monthly demand
- Conducted overall clean-up and maintained visual appeal of funeral home.
- Sustained personal sales quota consistently while aligning with financial capabilities of families.
Funeral Director
The Simple Alternative/ Meadowvale Funeral Home
Mississauga, Canada
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Coordinated funeral services with families to address their needs and preferences.
- Prepared and maintained deceased individuals for viewing and burial services.
- Managed paperwork for vital records, permits, and insurance claims.
- Organized memorial events in various settings, customizing each service uniquely.
- Collaborated with local clergy and community organizations for service arrangements.
- Performed administrative duties such as answering phones, filing paperwork and completing forms.
- Organized funeral services and memorials, including arranging for clergy, pallbearers, flowers, music and other necessary items.
- Maintained records of all contracts, payments and services provided.
- Led and directed funeral and graveside services.
- Participated in continuing education courses to maintain licensure requirements.
Intern Funeral Director
WARD FUNERAL HOME
Toronto, Canada
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Assisted in preparing deceased individuals for viewings and memorial services.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of funeral home facilities and equipment.
- Supported funeral directors with administrative tasks and client communications.
- Arranged flowers and decorations for funerals and memorial services.
- Provided compassionate support to grieving families during visitations and services.
- Operated audio-visual equipment for memorial services and tributes.
- Maintained accurate records of all activities performed throughout internship period.
- Assisted with event planning, support and execution of virtual and in-person engagements.
- Maintained positive working relationship with fellow staff and management.
Assistant Manager
REITMANS
Etobicoke, Canada
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Assisted in managing store operations and ensuring compliance with company policies.
- Trained and developed staff to enhance customer service skills and teamwork.
- Analyzed sales reports to identify trends and improve inventory management processes.
- Coordinated promotional events to drive customer engagement and store traffic.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a visually appealing merchandise presentation.
- Implemented training programs to ensure staff understood product features and benefits.
- Facilitated communication between management and employees to address concerns effectively.
- Managed customer service inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.
- Supervised daily operations including scheduling shifts, assigning duties.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of company products and services.
- Monitored employee attendance records, timekeeping, and payroll information.
Pharmacy Technician
Northside Pharmacy
North York, Canada
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Greeted customers, delivered quality service and cultivated a loyal clientele
- Processed incoming prescriptions for both institutional and private customers
- Maintained database; input prescriptions and patient information
- Filled and labeled prescriptions; processed payments and prepared receipts
- Responded to enquiries and educated customers on product use, side effects, etc
- Verified incoming shipments, shelved merchandise and set-up displays
- Adhered to all Sanitation, Health & Safety and company policies
Funeral Director Assistant
Demarco Funeral Home
01.2004 - 01.2006
Assistant Manager
LA VIE EN ROSE
Etobicoke, Canada
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Assisted with all facets of service and operations to maximize potential and profitability
- Improved customer relations, handled problem solving and cultivated a loyal customer base
- Trained and motivated staff; supported cooperative teamwork in a safe, happy, productive setting
- Generated employee schedules; managed payroll and wage costing
- Created and oversaw in-store merchandising, promotional and advertising strategies
- Completed daily accounting including balancing of finances and banking
- Implemented loss prevention controls and sound security practices
- Maintained records and assisted with daily administrative functions
- Ensured store maintenance, attractiveness and prompt repair of deficiencies
- Enforced all Health & Safety, WHMIS and corporate policies
Education
Diploma - Funeral Services
Humber College
Etobicoke, ON01.2011
High School - Etobicoke, ON
Monsignor Johnson Catholic High School
Etobicoke, ON01.2004
Skills
- Empathetic listener
- Compassionate individual
- Patient care
- Approachable
- Professional
- Effective time management
- Critical thinking ability
- Restorative art
- Embalming expertise
- Body preparation
- Obituary writing
- Licensed embalmer in Ontario
- Staff scheduling
- Conflict resolution
- Team leadership
- Vital records compliance
- Memorial event planning
- Staff coordination
- Problem solving
- Inventory management
- Effective communication
Closing Statement
Ready to take on new challenges, I would enjoy the opportunity of meeting with you to further discuss my qualifications and your needs.
Interest
Having completed my Funeral Services Diploma with Humber College in 2011, I am very interested in pursuing a career opportunity with your organization.
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Senior Funeral Director
Catholic Cemetery Archidiosis of Toronto
05.2025 - Current
Senior Funeral Director
Glendale Funeral Home
01.2013 - 03.2025
Funeral Director
The Simple Alternative/ Meadowvale Funeral Home
01.2010 - 01.2013
Intern Funeral Director
WARD FUNERAL HOME
01.2009 - 01.2010
Assistant Manager
REITMANS
01.2008 - 01.2009
Pharmacy Technician
Northside Pharmacy
01.2005 - 01.2006
Funeral Director Assistant
Demarco Funeral Home
01.2004 - 01.2006
Assistant Manager
LA VIE EN ROSE
01.2002 - 01.2006
Diploma - Funeral Services
Humber College
High School - Etobicoke, ON
Monsignor Johnson Catholic High School
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