Decedent Affairs Coordinator

Alternate 16 hours one week and 24 hours the second week of the pay period. Some Saturday shifts may be requested.

Major Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for funeral homes, families, and internal staff regarding decedent affairs. 

• Coordinate all aspects of the Expiration Desk, including morgue removals, physician follow-ups, and chart reviews for compliance with Medical Examiner protocols. 

• Provide compassionate support to families, facilitating communication of funeral home information and guidance on next steps. 

• Liaise with Gift of Hope, Eye Bank, Bereavement Coordinators, and Birth Certificate Clerks for special cases, including fetal or pre-term deaths. 

• Coordinate unclaimed decedent cases with Public Administrator and storage solutions. 

• Manage and authorize autopsy requests, including family outreach when necessary. 

• Oversee the respectful handling, transportation, and burial of fetal remains and POC (products of conception). 

• Maintain organized shared files and monthly expiration data logs. 

• Prepare reports, correspondence, and manage phone/email communications for the department. 

• Support general office operations, including supply ordering, room reservations, and equipment maintenance. 

• Answer the general office phone, route calls to the appropriate staff, take clear messages, and provide courteous and professional support to all callers.  

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• None

Education Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent. 

Experience Required:

• 3 - 4 years of administrative experience.  Experience working in a healthcare environment. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Familiarity with HIPAA regulations and best practices for handling Protected Health Information (PHI), particularly in relation to decedent records and communications. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with a high level of discretion and professionalism. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to offer empathetic support to grieving families and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. 

• Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize and follow through on multiple tasks in a fast-paced, emotionally sensitive environment. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook; experience maintaining detailed data logs and generating reports. 

• Familiarity with medical or hospital administrative procedures, including chart reviews, coordination with Medical Examiner offices, and autopsy or funeral arrangements. 

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate sound judgment in complex or unexpected situations. 

• Comfortable working around deceased individuals and in morgue-adjacent settings; ability to follow safety and infection control protocols. 

• Strong phone etiquette and ability to answer and direct calls clearly and professionally. 

• Experience working with diverse populations and demonstrating cultural sensitivity in all interactions.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Operate all the equipment necessary to perform the job. Exposed to a normal office environment. 

Preferred Job Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Mortuary Science 
• 5 years’ experience.  Experience in working with protected health information.
• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations and best practices for handling Protected Health Information (PHI), particularly in relation to decedent records and communications. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with a high level of discretion and professionalism. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to offer empathetic support to grieving families and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize and follow through on multiple tasks in a fast-paced, emotionally sensitive environment. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook; experience maintaining detailed data logs and generating reports. 
• Familiarity with medical or hospital administrative procedures, including chart reviews, coordination with Medical Examiner offices, and autopsy or funeral arrangements. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate sound judgment in complex or unexpected situations. 
• Comfortable working around deceased individuals and in morgue-adjacent settings; ability to follow safety and infection control protocols. 
• Strong phone etiquette and ability to answer and direct calls clearly and professionally. 
• Experience working with diverse populations and demonstrating cultural sensitivity in all interactions. 

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Pay Range

Our Commitment to You:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program