Director of Cemeteries

Job Description

JOB TITLE Director of Cemeteries

DEPARTMENT Chief Operating Officer

DATE July 16, 2025

FLSA STATUS Full-Time, Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Cemeteries for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee provides leadership and operational oversight for Catholic burial services across the diocese. This position is responsible for managing day-to-day cemetery operations and guiding the strategic expansion of a unified diocesan cemetery system. The Director ensures that all cemeteries operate in accordance with Catholic teaching, offer compassionate pastoral care, and maintain the sacredness of burial grounds.

Key responsibilities include day-to-day management, staff supervision, capital planning, and the implementation of consistent policies and procedures across the diocese. The Director collaborates closely with diocesan leadership, clergy and community partners to provide sacred, mission-aligned burial services.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversight of Holy Cross Cemetery (Pensacola)
• Direct daily operations, including interments, grounds maintenance, administration, and customer service.
• Supervise and develop cemetery staff, ensuring excellence in care, professionalism, and ministry.
• Ensure physical appearance of cemetery grounds are maintained, in keeping with Catholic values and traditions.
• Oversee opening/closing procedures, burial recordkeeping, and grave mapping systems.
• Develop short and long-term plans for property development, equipment needs, and infrastructure improvements.
• Manage budgets, financial reporting, and capital improvements for Holy Cross Cemetery.

Development of Diocesan Cemetery System
• Implement the strategic plan for the diocesan cemetery systems expansion.
• Assess current burial services throughout the diocese and develop a strategic plan for diocesan cemetery expansion or coordination.
• In collaboration with Diocesan leadership, develop the operational framework for new cemeteries, including:
o Interment and burial protocols
o Recordkeeping and grave mapping systems
o Customer service models and pre-need programs
o Pricing models
• Plan and oversee construction of core infrastructure (roads, crypts, niches, drainage, Lead procurement, vendor selection, landscaping, and planning for any new cemetery initiatives such as signage and columbaria).
• Partner with parishes, clergy, and diocesan leadership to implement consistent policies, standards, and mission-aligned cemetery practices.
• Serve as a resource for parish-managed cemeteries, offering training, operational guidance, and support.
• Ensure all cemetery grounds are maintained as reverent, beautiful, and sacred spaces.
• Prepare and manage annual operating budgets and capital improvement plans.

Sales, Marketing, and Family Services across the Diocese
• Oversee and support pre-need and at-need sales of burial rights and services.
• Promote awareness of Catholic burial options within the diocesan community.
• Promote cemetery services through mission-aligned outreach and engagement with the Catholic community.
• Collaborate with clergy, parish staff, funeral homes, and other community groups to educate and inform regarding catholic cemetery offerings.
• Resolve customer concerns and ensure excellent pastoral and professional service to families.
• Foster a culture of pastoral care, service excellence, and professional integrity.

JOB SPECIIFCATONS

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree preferred; relevant experience may substitute.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in cemetery management, operations, facilities, or related fields.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
• Demonstrated ability to lead with compassion and integrity in sensitive pastoral situations.
• Skilled in budget management, staff supervision, and strategic planning.
• Familiarity with Catholic liturgical and burial practices; practicing Catholic preferred.
• Able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Punctual and demonstrate the ability to organize work and manage time effectively.
• Work independently.

LICENSES CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR REGISTRATION: Valid driver's license; must pass background screening, credit check and all diocesan requirements for employees.

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/WORK-AIDS: Knowledge of how to operate and service equipment and machinery needed for cemetery operations. Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, photocopier, and multi-line phone system.

WORK CONDITIONS: Variable conditions. This position will spend a significant amount of time outside in all types of environmental conditions. This job will entail irregular hours to support weekend operations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/TRAITS: There will significant physical demands on this position. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: The employee is regularly required to talk or listen effectively. Ability to perform required tasks associated with position including, but not limited to, kneeling, squatting, standing, walking, climbing a ladder, and the ability to pick up or carry up to 50 pounds.

About the Employer

The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, founded in 1975, covers the 18 most northwestern counties of the State of Florida. Although the diocese is young, its roots go back to the first European settlement of this region. A fleet of ships carrying 1,500 colonists sailed into what is now Pensacola Bay on August 15, 1559. On behalf of the Spanish crown, Don Tristan de Luna established the first settlement in what was to become the United States of America. The settlement was abandoned in 1561 due to damage from hurricanes that destroyed the settlers' supplies.

Our diocese enjoys the distinction of being a "dual see" diocese. It has two centers from which the bishop governs - Pensacola and Tallahassee.