Crematorium Assistant & Gardener
You will typically be working from 11.30am – 8pm Monday – Friday with weekend availability on a rota basis.
However, our core operating hours are between 6am – 10pm 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
Howe Bridge 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!
We are the largest independent operator of crematoria in the UK, employing more than 500 empathetic and dedicated individuals and we are growing.
Like many of our colleagues, you might not have considered this line of work before, however with industry training provided and on-going career development, you will find it one of the most varied and rewarding opportunities you could ever imagine.
The role
As part of our busy team, you will ensure that families are given the best experience possible.
No two days will be the same as each family and service are uniquely personal.
The focus of this role will be on Grounds and Cremation duties and you will typically work 20 hours in each role:
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
- Previous Gardening / Grounds experience.
- Any previous bereavement / funeral industry or grounds maintenance experience would be beneficial (e.g. Crematorium Assistant / Crematorium Technician / Funeral Operative / Funeral Arranger etc) however not essential as full training is provided on crematory duties.
- You will need to be able bodied as manual handling will be part of this role. PPE will be provided for your safety.
- Happy to work outside come rain or shine.
- Emotionally resilient and organised with excellent attention to detail.
- 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:
- Company performance bonus up to 5%
- 32 days holiday (Includes 8 days bank holiday)
- £500 salary increase (pro rata) after completing FBCA Accredited cremator training
- Life Assurance
- Access to a wide range of retail discounts and wellbeing support
- Ongoing learning & development
- Pension scheme
- Employee Assistance / Occupational health support Program
- Mindfulness App
- Mental Health Ambassadors
- The benefit we hope you’ll never need: Free Cremation benefit for Immediate family
- Bereavement Leave
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
- Recognition scheme
- Free Flu jab
- Smart uniform and PPE provided
- Free parking
What next? Start a career with significance by applying today.
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.
