Crematorium Assistant x 3
Working flexibly, 5 days per week which will include regular weekends, evenings and early mornings on a rota basis.
40 hours per week
Our core operating hours are between 6am – 10pm daily, so the ability to work flexibly across 5 days of the week will be required. Variations in working hours will always be discussed in advance.
From £26,842 per annum + £500 salary uplift after qualification + Company performance bonus + Benefits
Permanent
Great North Crematorium
Have you always wanted to use your transferable skills in a role where what you do can truly make a difference every day?
Would you enjoy working as a part of a close-knit team with a sense of camaraderie not found in a generic job?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
In Winter 2026 we will be opening a brand new crematorium near Cramlington, Newcastle and need someone like you help establish it as a respected and valued part of the local community. We are recruiting now to ensure plenty of time for training.
We are one of the largest independent operators of crematoria in the UK, supported by almost 500 empathetic and dedicated individuals and we are growing.
You may not have considered a career in this sector before – and that’s absolutely fine. Many of our colleagues joined us from completely different backgrounds, bringing valuable transferable skills and experiences with them.
With full industry training provided, along with ongoing learning and career development, this is an opportunity to build a rewarding career in a role where every day is different and the work you do has a genuine and lasting impact on the families and communities we serve.
The role
No two days will be the same as each family and service are uniquely personal. You will be involved in a variety of tasks each day including:
- Cremation – You’ll be fully trained and work towards an accredited FBCA qualification under supervision and guidance from experienced colleagues. You will be involved in the end to end cremation process and ashes management. You will need to be able bodied as there will be manual handling involved in this process. PPE will be provided for your safety. Some of our sites also have burial grounds so you could also be involved in these services if applicable.
- Chapel - Preparation of the chapel hall before each service and welcoming the families and Funeral Directors attending and directing them to their seats. Ensuring the correct music / visual tributes are played, orders of service are in place and offering support as required.
- Administration - Answering the telephone with great customer service skills, using Chronicle / Word / Excel, helping families with queries / collection of ashes / planning a service to showing a family around the grounds to view memorial options.
- Ad hoc work – for example some basic gardening, getting involved in a Christmas service or making sure the site is tidy and presentable.
This role requires flexibility and pulling together as one team to support each other and provide the exceptional care and service that we are known for.
About you
- Any previous bereavement / funeral industry experience would be beneficial (Crematorium Assistant / Crematorium Technician / Funeral Operative / Funeral Arranger etc) however not essential as full industry training is provided.
- Other suitable backgrounds could include Retail, Hospitality, Care, or other Customer Service orientated industries where making a difference to others is important.
- Emotionally resilient and organised with excellent attention to detail.
- You will need to be able bodied as manual handling will be part of this role. PPE will be provided for your safety.
- A real team player with natural compassion and the desire to make a difference every day.
- Flexible in approach to working hours.
- Comfortable communicator able to speak to people in a caring and understanding manner.
- Good level of IT skills and comfortable with Word / Excel and emails.
What We Offer
If you would like to join the Westerleigh team, you can be sure of a warm welcome, ongoing training and development and a sense of pride by truly making a difference every day to the families we serve.
No two days are the same and many of our Managers have developed their careers within the business.
The values we champion are Safety First, Exceptional Care, Uniquely Personal and One Team.
In addition to salary, you will also be eligible for the following benefits:
We generally advertise vacancies for a minimum of 1 week before reviewing applications. We reserve the right to close the application window sooner if a significant number of applications are received. If you’re not contacted, please assume you have been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, feedback is not always possible due to the volume of applications we receive.
Westerleigh Group has been building and managing Crematoria for over 30 years and we care for over 70,000 cremations and burials every year. We are one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries with more than 40 sites across England, Wales and Scotland and plans to continue growing with care.
We have established a reputation for creating beautifully landscaped, high quality and peaceful facilities where families can remember and celebrate the life of their loved ones. Our core objective is to deliver the highest possible standards of care in a way that is uniquely personal.
We play an active part in the local communities that we serve and in 2025 our sites raised over £400,000 to support local charitable causes and projects.
Our letters to heaven post boxes continue to capture hearts and minds. An inspirational idea from the daughter of one of our colleagues.
Founded in 2021 as part of the Westerleigh Group, Distinct Cremations provides a dedicated service for families choosing direct cremation.
