Bereavement Officer

Durham County Council; North East; Hybrid; GBP 11,000 - 15,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

27 days annual leave

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking a compassionate Bereavement Officer to support the Bereavement Services team in delivering cemetery, crematorium and bereavement services across County Durham with dignity and care.

The role involves coordinating the day-to-day operations, supervising on-site ceremonies, and ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements while building strong relationships with funeral directors, clergy, and families.

Qualifications

• GCSEs A*-C/9-4 or equivalent.
• Experience of working directly with customers and service users.
• Experience of working effectively with partners and external stakeholders.
• Full driving licence and access to a car.
• Experience of implementing service improvements and supporting change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work sensitively and professionally in a bereavement environment.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements relevant to the service.
• Good ICT skills, including experience of Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the delivery and day-to-day operation of cemetery and crematorium services.
• Supervising funerals, family visits and memorial works on site.
• Assisting with the coordination and administration of public funerals.
• Undertaking inspections of cemeteries, burial grounds and closed churchyards to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Supporting service improvement initiatives, policy development and operational projects.
• Maintaining statutory records and ensuring accurate service documentation.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partner organisations.
• Assisting with performance monitoring, budget management and identifying opportunities to improve services and deliver value for money.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Driving licence

Education

GCSE A*-C/9-4

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Part-time post 22.5 hours

Are you a compassionate, organised and customer-focused professional with the ability to support families and communities during some of life's most difficult moments?

We are looking for a dedicated Bereavement Officer to join our Bereavement Services team. This is a rewarding opportunity to help deliver high-quality cemetery, crematorium and bereavement services across County Durham, ensuring every service is provided with dignity, care and professionalism.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

As a Bereavement Officer, you will play a key role in the coordination and delivery of bereavement services, supporting the Bereavement Coordinator to provide efficient, responsive and cost-effective services that meet the needs of our communities.

Working closely with funeral directors, clergy, monumental masons, bereaved families and visitors, you will ensure that services are delivered sensitively and professionally while maintaining the highest standards of customer care.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the delivery and day-to-day operation of cemetery and crematorium services.
• Supervising funerals, family visits and memorial works on site.
• Assisting with the coordination and administration of public funerals.
• Undertaking inspections of cemeteries, burial grounds and closed churchyards to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Supporting service improvement initiatives, policy development and operational projects.
• Maintaining statutory records and ensuring accurate service documentation.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partner organisations.
• Assisting with performance monitoring, budget management and identifying opportunities to improve services and deliver value for money.We encourage you to contact via email at [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

• GCSE (Grades A*-C/9-4 or equivalent.
• Experience of working directly with customers and service users.
• Experience of working effectively with partners and external stakeholders.
• Full driving licence and access to a car.
• Experience of implementing service improvements and supporting change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work sensitively and professionally in a bereavement environment.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements relevant to the service.
• Good ICT skills, including experience of Microsoft Office applications

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held on (date to be confirmed)

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable.

Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

#VPRS/161