Apprentice Funeral Service Specialist

Dignity Plc; Manchester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading funeral service provider in Manchester seeks an Apprentice Funeral Service Specialist. This role offers comprehensive training to support families during difficult moments and requires empathy and strong organizational skills. Candidates will gain a recognized qualification while gaining practical experience. The successful applicant will oversee daily operations, assist with ceremonial duties, and ensure high standards of care. Benefits include holiday allowance and bonus potential.

Benefits

Professional development

Commission potential

Health & well-being programme

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to support families with empathy and professionalism.
• Capable of overseeing branch operations and administration.
• Willingness to work flexibly including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Support families during one of life's most significant moments.
• Arrange and plan funerals in accordance with family wishes.
• Uphold Dignity's standards of professionalism and care.

Skills

Empathy

Attention to detail

Communication

Organisation

Customer service experience

Education

No previous funeral industry experience required

Job description

Job Title

Apprentice Funeral Service Specialist – Manchester branch, Dignity Group.

Overview

We're looking for an empathetic and well‑organised individual to join our team at S Wellens & Sons Funeral Directors as a Apprentice Funeral Service Specialist. This role offers the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification while being the first point of contact for families, offering reassurance, guidance, and professional support at one of the most important moments in their lives. Based at our Manchester branch, you'll take pride in the day‑to‑day running of the funeral home, supporting families, maintaining high standards, and building trusted relationships within the local community. You will also be trained to provide guidance on Funeral Plans and support with ceremonial duties when required. Being a Funeral Service Specialist means playing a central part in one of life's most significant moments. You're often the first person a grieving family turns to, and your presence can shape how they remember the most difficult of days.

Apprenticeship Details

• Level 2 apprenticeship associated with the role
• Full training and support provided by Connect2Care and is delivered remotely
• Adequate time will be provided to the successful candidate for them to complete the apprenticeship during their working hours
• Contract will be reviewed after successful completion of the apprenticeship and our aim is to transition completers onto a full‑time, permanent contract where appropriate

Responsibilities

• Supporting families with empathy, professionalism, and attention to detail
• Arrange funerals that meet family wishes, cultural practices, and legal requirements – offering all relevant products
• Oversee day‑to‑day branch operations, including administration and presentation
• Liaise with suppliers such as ministers, celebrants, and florists
• Lead chapel visits, as required, supporting the families with their requests
• Take accountability for raising awareness of funeral plans and contributing to plan sales within the branch
• Represent the branch in the local community and contribute to outreach
• Train in Funeral Conducting to assist with ceremonial duties during peak times
• Uphold Dignity's standards of professionalism, care, and service
• Compassion, calmness, and empathy in emotionally sensitive situations
• Communication, organisation, and administrative skills – confident with legal paperwork
• Confident working independently, with branch‑level responsibility
• Comfortable in settings where the deceased may be resting, including chapel visits
• Willingness to work flexibly (including weekends/on‑call if needed)
• A full UK 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)

Qualifications

No previous funeral industry experience is required – full training will be provided.

Benefits

• Professional development: comprehensive induction and the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification alongside hands‑on experience
• Commission potential: up to £2,000.00 OTE per annum
• Bonus potential: unlocking the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements
• Life assurance cover: peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family's future
• Health & well‑being programme: employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing
• Holiday allowance: generous leave entitlement of 30–33 days per year, inclusive of bank holidays
• Pension scheme: contributory pension scheme helping you save for a secure retirement

Company Information

We are Dignity, one of the UK's oldest and most trusted funeral providers, with over 200 years of history, 570 branches, and 46 crematoria across the country. From launching the UK's first funeral plan to helping shape modern regulation, we have led the way in supporting families with care, compassion, and professionalism. We are now building the UK's leading end‑of‑life company. As part of the Dignity Group, we also operate Farewill, the country's most prominent will writer and one of the UK's top probate providers, giving families support not just at the funeral, but before and after as well.

Legal Statements

FCA Statement: The FCA regulates us so that some roles may be subject to background checks.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement: We know that diverse teams make better decisions, build better products, and create a more inclusive and better place to work. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your life looks like, we’d love to hear from you. If there’s anything you need to make the process more accessible, please let us know. Unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate, and no fees will be payable. We reserve the right, depending on the number of applications received, to close or extend the closing dates for positions. Therefore, we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.