Joseph Jacobs
Nanticoke,PA
Summary
Dynamic Funeral Director with extensive experience at Kopicki Funeral Home, adept in funeral service management and legal compliance. Recognized for exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, successfully guiding families through complex arrangements while maintaining the highest standards of care. Proven ability to streamline operations and enhance service delivery in high-pressure environments. Experienced with conducting forensic examinations and managing detailed case records. Utilizes keen analytical skills to uncover critical information and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Track record of maintaining composure and precision in high-stress situations.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Funeral Director
Kopicki Funeral Home
10.2008 - Current
- Assisted in the preparation of bodies for visitation or burial, adhering to strict standards of care.
- Established trust among clients by consistently delivering exceptional service while maintaining sensitivity towards their needs.
- Maintained facility cleanliness, ensuring a welcoming environment for grieving families.
- Displayed highest level of professionalism and sensitivity when dealing with grieving family members.
- Arranged funeral/memorial services for grieving families to meet budget and memorialized instructions.
- Liaised between hospitals, physicians, county coroner and members of clergy to coordinate final arrangements.
- Discussed pre-arranged funeral options and explained pricing to clients.
- Upheld legal compliance with local regulations regarding burials, cremations, and embalming practices.
- Picked up deceased at private homes, hospitals and county morgues.
- Discussed nature of funeral service, disposition of remains and funeral costs with family members.
- Facilitated pre-planning consultations, guiding clients through complex decision-making processes.
- Performed embalming procedures and updated case study reports.
- Closed and secured caskets and led funeral corteges to churches and burial sites.
- Streamlined operations with effective communication between staff, clients, and vendors.
- Collaborated with clergy members to plan meaningful and respectful memorial services.
- Arranged transportation between sites for remains, mourners, pallbearers and members of clergy.
- Secured and filed burial permits and made funeral arrangements.
- Coordinated transportation logistics for timely arrival of deceased to final resting place.
- Communicated with insurance companies to secure death benefits for payment of services.
- Continuously updated industry knowledge by attending professional workshops, conferences, and seminars.
- Conducted pre-planning consultations, assisting individuals in making informed decisions about their own or loved one's final arrangements.
- Ensured dignified care of deceased, maintaining highest standards of ethical practices.
- Guided families through planning process, offering emotional support and expert advice to ease their burden.
Business Agent IATSE Local 82
IASTE Local 82
04.2000 - Current
- Negotiated favorable contracts for members are various local entertainment venues
- Managed a team of professionals, fostering an environment that encouraged collaboration and growth.
- Process payroll for members following job assignments
Chief Deputy Coroner
Luzerne County
10.2019 - 01.2025
- Collaborated with forensic experts, pathologists, and toxicologists to obtain necessary analyses for determining cause of death accurately.
- Increased efficiency in office operations by streamlining documentation processes and implementing organized filing systems.
- Ensured compliance with state laws and regulations by staying current on industry changes and adjusting practices accordingly.
- Continuously improved personal skills by seeking feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and other professionals within the field.
- Adhered strictly to safety protocols while working with hazardous materials or infectious diseases, minimizing risks for all involved parties.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of office policies and procedures, contributing to overall efficiency and effectiveness.
- Supported public health initiatives by identifying trends in local mortality data and reporting findings to appropriate agencies.
- Assisted families in understanding the circumstances surrounding a loved one''s death by providing compassionate support and clear explanations.
- Worked closely with other Deputy Coroners to build a cohesive team capable of efficiently handling high caseloads.
- Developed strong relationships with funeral homes to ensure proper handling of decedents'' remains throughout the process from removal to burial or cremation.
- Improved the accuracy of death investigations by meticulously gathering and analyzing evidence at crime scenes.
- Provided expert testimony in court cases when required, presenting clear explanations of complex medical findings for legal proceedings.
- Maintained detailed records of each case, ensuring both accuracy and promptness in reporting to relevant parties.
- Enhanced communication with law enforcement agencies by collaborating effectively during investigations and sharing crucial findings.
- Managed sensitive information discreetly while maintaining strict confidentiality standards as mandated by the profession.
- Conducted thorough autopsies to determine cause and manner of death, contributing to accurate case resolutions.
- Maintained professional knowledge through ongoing continuing education courses and certifications in relevant areas such as forensic pathology, death investigation techniques, or grief counseling.
- Conducted comprehensive witness interviews to gather essential information for ongoing investigations.
- Participated in professional development opportunities such as conferences, workshops, or seminars to stay current on best practices within the field of death investigation.
- Completed death certificates with assignment of cause and manner of death.
- Analyzed bodily injuries and evidence to determine causes and manners of death for deceased of all ages and backgrounds.
- Communicated with families and next of kin to assist in cause of death investigations.
- Completed toxicology exams and investigations on bodies to gather additional evidence for analysis.
- Conducted preliminary examinations of bodies to identify victims, locate signs of trauma and identify factors indicative of time of death.
- Testified at inquests, hearings and court trials.
- Took notes on body injuries and other possible causes of deaths and completed detailed reports.
- Inquired into cause, manner and circumstances of human deaths and established identities of deceased persons.
- Reported cases of foul play or other problematic causes of death to appropriate legal authorities for further review.
- Set up autopsy lab and assisted with autopsies.
Per Diem Deputy Corner
Luzerne County
05.2000 - 10.2019
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Completed Death Investigations.
Education
Associate of Science - Funeral Service
Northampton Community College
Bethlehem, PA06-2000
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke05-1991
Skills
- Funeral service management
- Pennsylvania-licensed embalmer
- Workforce planning
- Body preparation
- Funeral planning
- Legal compliance
- MS word, excel, and outlook
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Excellent communication
Timeline
Chief Deputy Coroner
Luzerne County
10.2019 - 01.2025
Funeral Director
Kopicki Funeral Home
10.2008 - Current
Per Diem Deputy Corner
Luzerne County
05.2000 - 10.2019
Business Agent IATSE Local 82
IASTE Local 82
04.2000 - Current
Associate of Science - Funeral Service
Northampton Community College
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Luzerne County Community College
Similar Profiles
Savannah StoneSavannah Stone
Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer at Shelton-hunt Funeral Home Funeral HomeApprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer at Shelton-hunt Funeral Home Funeral Home
Colton MattocksColton Mattocks
Assistant to the Funeral Director at Cunningham Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral HomeAssistant to the Funeral Director at Cunningham Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral Home
Kyle WrightKyle Wright
Funeral Services Professional at Trinity Chapel Funeral Home & Stinson Funeral HomeFuneral Services Professional at Trinity Chapel Funeral Home & Stinson Funeral Home
Mark BrownMark Brown
Correctional Officer at Pa State Department of CorrectionsCorrectional Officer at Pa State Department of Corrections
Antar GalesAntar Gales
Traffic Controller at Flagger ForceTraffic Controller at Flagger Force