What term is used to describe the person who manages and conducts funeral services?

The term that describes the person who manages and conducts funeral services is "funeral director." This professional is responsible for overseeing all aspects of funeral operations, including planning the service, coordinating with the deceased's family, managing the necessary paperwork, and ensuring that all legal requirements are met. The funeral director is often the primary point of contact for the family during a time of loss, providing support and guidance in making arrangements that honor their loved one.

In contrast, other roles such as mortuary technicians and embalmers have different specific functions within the funeral service. Mortuary technicians typically assist with the preparation of the body and may work under the direction of a funeral director or embalmer. Embalmers focus primarily on the preservation of the body and the restorative work necessary for viewing, rather than managing overall service logistics. Grief counselors provide emotional support and counseling to bereaved families, but they do not conduct funeral services or manage the operational aspects of a funeral home.