Bereavement CoordinatorDeputy

About the Lehigh County Coroners Office & Forensic Center:

• The Lehigh County Coroners Office & Forensic Center (LCCO&FC) operates in a 24-hour seven-day-a-week environment and is responsible for investigating deaths that fall under the jurisdiction of the Coroners Office and determining the cause and manner of death.
• The LCCO&FC investigates deaths including but not limited to those resulting from homicide suicide accidents deaths occurring in police custody sudden and unexpected infant deaths and other deaths that are sudden unusual suspicious or otherwise fall under the jurisdiction of the Coroner.

Position Summary:

• The Bereavement Coordinator provides compassionate professional support and assistance to the families of deceased individuals whose deaths fall under the jurisdiction of the LCCO&FC.
• The coordinator serves as an important liaison between families the Coroners Office funeral homes government agencies community organizations and other resources. The position assists families in understanding the medicolegal death investigation process while helping address practical needs associated with death grief bereavement and final disposition.
• The Bereavement Coordinator may also assist in developing educational programs informational materials and community resources related to grief loss bereavement and the services provided by the LCCO&FC.

Essential Duties & Summaries:

• Provide families with information regarding the LCCO&FC the medicolegal death investigation process and matters concerning their deceased loved one as soon as reasonably possible following the death.
• Serve as a compassionate point of contact for grieving families and assist them in navigating questions and concerns related to the Coroners Office investigation.
• Communicate with family members following an autopsy or other examination to facilitate the relay of appropriate information regarding the investigation as directed by the Coroner or designated staff.
• Assist with locating and identifying legal next of kin.
• Contact family members regarding a decedents death and determine whether family members are willing and able to assume responsibility for funeral burial cremation or other final arrangements.
• Assist families and the office with burial interment cremation or other final disposition arrangements involving indigent or unclaimed decedents.
• Coordinate and prepare indigent and unclaimed decedents for the County cremation process in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Verify a decedents veteran status through the appropriate Veterans Affairs agency and assist in determining eligibility for available veteran burial or related benefits.
• Assist in determining eligibility for anatomical donation programs and communicate with appropriate anatomical gift organizations when necessary.
• Provide information and resources to the families of individuals who died as a result of violent or criminal circumstances.
• Assist eligible families with information regarding Pennsylvania crime victim services and crime victim compensation programs.
• Communicate and coordinate with attorneys courts probate offices funeral homes hospitals law enforcement agencies social service agencies and other organizations regarding next-of-kin and disposition matters.
• Work with appropriate legal authorities when it appears that a decedent has no identifiable or legally recognized next of kin.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation regarding family contacts next-of-kin searches disposition arrangements referrals and other assigned activities.
• Develop or assist with educational information and resources for families concerning grief loss coping bereavement and the medicolegal death investigation process.
• Maintain professionalism compassion sensitivity and confidentiality when dealing with families experiencing sudden unexpected traumatic or violent deaths.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Coroner and designated command staff.

Education Experience & Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience or education in social work psychology counseling behavioral health victim services grief counseling bereavement services funeral services healthcare or a related field is preferred.
• Ability to successfully complete all required criminal background checks and employment screening requirements.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operators license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate compassionately and professionally with individuals experiencing grief trauma emotional distress or crisis.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive medical investigative and personal information.
• Knowledge of administrative clerical documentation and records-management practices commonly used in governmental judicial medical or similar professional environments.
• Proficiency in computers word-processing programs electronic records systems copying/scanning equipment telephones and other office equipment required to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers county personnel law enforcement agencies funeral homes hospitals municipal officials courts community organizations and members of the public.
• Ability to work independently exercise sound judgment prioritize multiple responsibilities and appropriately respond to time-sensitive situations.
• Ability to work effectively with families and other individuals during emergencies and emotionally difficult circumstances.

Work Experience:

• This position operates within a medicolegal death investigation environment. The employee may routinely encounter grieving families traumatic circumstances sensitive investigative information and situations involving sudden unexpected violent or suspicious deaths.
• The successful candidate must be able to maintain professionalism emotional composure confidentiality compassion and sound judgment while representing the Lehigh County Coroners Office & Forensic Center.

Required Experience:

IC