Apprentice Funeral Service Operative

DIGNITY FUNERALS LIMITED; Broadfield; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading funeral company in Broadfield seeks an Apprentice Funeral Service Operative to assist with all stages of the funeral process. This role involves driving vehicles, preparing for ceremonies, and supporting families with compassion. The ideal candidate will be empathetic, reliable, and ready to work flexibly. Join a team dedicated to providing meaningful services that make a difference in people's lives.

Benefits

Life Assurance Cover

Pension Scheme

Health & Wellbeing Programme

Qualifications

• Ability to work in emotionally sensitive situations with compassion and empathy.
• Confident in communication and handling legal paperwork.
• Willingness to work flexibly including weekends.
• Full UK Manual Driving Licence (desirable).
• Strong customer care focus and logical thinking.

Responsibilities

• Drive and operate specialist vehicles.
• Set up venues and perform ceremonial duties.
• Maintain high standards of funeral vehicles.
• Prepare the deceased in accordance with family wishes.
• Support families with compassion during interactions.

Skills

Compassion

Calmness

Empathy

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving skills

Team working

Job description

We're looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at Wolstenholme Funeral Directors, Accrington as an Apprentice Funeral Service Operative. This role offers the chance to support families at one of life's most sensitive moments, playing a key part in delivering respectful, meaningful services that truly make a difference. You will support every stage of the funeral process – from preparing vehicles and venues to assisting with ceremonial duties and family interactions. This is a physically active, hands‑on role that requires empathy, reliability, and a calm, respectful presence. As a representative of both your local branch and the wider Dignity Group, you’ll help maintain our trusted presence in the community.

Responsibilities

• Drive and operate specialist vehicles, including hearses and limousines.
• Set up venues and carry out ceremonial duties, including coffin bearing.
• Maintain funeral vehicles and equipment to high standards.
• Participate in an out‑of‑hours on‑call rota to support families.
• Bring the deceased into our care from the place of death – including private homes, hospitals, hospices, or public spaces – under varying circumstances.
• Prepare the deceased (washing, dressing, presentation) in accordance with family, religious, or cultural wishes.
• Support with chapel visits and interactions with families in a calm and respectful manner.
• Carry out all duties involving the deceased with the utmost care and professionalism.
• Learn how to prepare vehicles, assist at funerals, handle the deceased with compassion, and contribute to a seamless, supportive experience for grieving families.
• Be supported every step of the way by your own Connect2Care (HIT Training) Vocational Trainer, with regular face‑to‑face and online sessions.
• Receive tailored support for English and maths if needed, with assessment of your needs and provision of boost training.

Qualifications and Skills

• Compassion, calmness, and empathy in emotionally sensitive situations.
• Communication, organisation, and administrative skills – confident with legal paperwork.
• Confidence working independently, with branch‑level responsibility.
• Comfortable handling the deceased, including in chapel visits.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including weekends/on‑call if needed.
• A Full UK Manual Driving Licence (desirable, not essential) – ability to travel to client homes and local branches is important.
• Experience in customer service, care, or admin (beneficial – complete training is provided).
• Strong attention to detail, organisational ability, customer‑care focus, problem‑solving skills, logical thinking, team working, initiative, non‑judgemental attitude, patience, physical fitness, and professionalism.
• Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Training, Progression and Benefits

• Funeral Team Member Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard, covering modules such as Induction, Personal Development and Performance, Client, Maintain & Drive Vehicles, Legal & Governance, Funeral, Care of the deceased, Team, Reputation, and Team products & services.
• Opportunities for progression: upon successful completion, you may advance to a Level 3 Funeral Director qualification or be offered a full‑time contract with Dignity Funerals, depending on individual performance and business needs.
• Full-time contract offers include Life Assurance Cover, Pension Scheme, and a Health & Wellbeing Programme with an employee assistance programme.
• Bonus potential is available for meeting performance targets.

At Dignity, we believe that every farewell should be handled with compassion, dignity, and care. Your role will ensure that families feel supported, respected, and reassured every step of the way. The UK's leading funeral company, Dignity has pioneered funeral care since 1812, championing higher industry standards and supporting over 1 million families across the UK. With a commitment to compassion and expertise, we continue to set the benchmark for end‑of‑life care.