Job Purpose
To provide support to the day to day business of the Funeral Director by carrying out workshop duties such as fitting coffins and caskets, cleaning and valeting vehicles and other maintenance tasks. To attend and bring the deceased into the care of the company, both in office hours and as part of an out of hours on call team. To drive funeral vehicles and act as a pall bearer as and when required. To maintain the company’s facilities to an excellent standard of cleanliness. To carry out dressing and encoffining of the deceased, including performing last offices as and when required.
The role includes direct contact with the families we serve, particularly when taking deceased into our care, so as a representative of the company the highest standards of customer care and respect for the deceased are required at all times.
The Funeral Operative’s role includes a wide variety of tasks. Some Operatives will have specific areas of responsibility, however all Operatives are expected to be able to carry out all tasks and will be expected to fully support their colleagues as operational requirements demand.
Funeral Assistants may also be required to provide support to associated Funeral Directors in other areas of Hampshire if requested.
Key Tasks
- Prepare all types of coffins and caskets.
- Ensure workshop supplies are kept adequately stocked.
- Drive, clean, valet and maintain all types of vehicles.
- Act as a pallbearer at funerals.
- Carry out all types of collections (including from hospitals, nursing homes, private homes and road traffic accidents), including out of hours collections as part of an on call rota.
- Preparation of the deceased (excluding embalming) for burial or cremation, including dressing, placing in a coffin or casket and preparing the deceased for viewing (last offices).
- Delivering, where necessary and as instructed, any forms or documents in connection with the company’s business.
- Dig graves for ashes and officiate at committal services for ashes (if required).
Additional Duties
- Any other reasonable duties at the request of the company, which are within your capabilities.
- Responsible for the tidiness and cleanliness of all working areas.
- Maintain the health and safety and security of the working environment and abide at all times by the published health and safety guidelines for the role.
- Identify and support improvements to client services and business operations.
- Comply with all the company’s policies as outlined in the employee handbook and procedures manual.
- Support other offices. Be prepared to perform duties for or transfer to other offices, on a temporary or permanent basis.
Personal requirements
- Excellent communicator with a sympathetic approach.
- Physically fit and able to carry out manual handling and lifting of reasonably heavy weights.
- Smart and presentable appearance.
- Able and available for participation in regular on call duties including night, weekend and bank holiday rotas.
- Whilst on call, able to attend the central Winchester office within 20 minutes of being called.
- Full and clean UK driving licence.
- Able to maintain client confidentiality and demonstrate discretion at all times.
- Able to create and maintain effective working relationships.
- Excellent team worker.
- Able to handle difficult, distressing or traumatic situations and remain calm.
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Additional pay - On call payments
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Life insurance
- Free parking
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Winchester, Hampshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £24,800.00-£28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Life insurance
Work Location: In person
