Bereavement Officer

Durham County Council; Spennymoor; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (home & office)

Local Government Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave (rising to 32)

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking a Bereavement Officer to join the Bereavement Services team in County Durham. You will support the Bereavement Coordinator to deliver dignified cemetery, crematorium and bereavement services for communities.

You will work with funeral directors, clergy and families, ensuring services are delivered professionally, safely and with excellent customer care. The role involves coordination, inspections, and service improvements within a local government setting.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver bereavement services across cemetery, crematorium and bereavement operations.
• Supervise funerals, family visits and memorial works on site.
• Coordinate and administer public funerals.
• Inspect cemeteries and burial grounds to ensure health and safety compliance.
• Support service improvement initiatives and operational projects.
• Maintain statutory records and service documentation.
• Engage with stakeholders and partner organisations to improve services and value for money.
• Contribute to performance monitoring and budget management.

Skills

Customer service experience

Partnerships & stakeholder work

Driving licence

Service improvements

Communication skills

Bereavement environment sensitivity

Health & safety knowledge

Education

GCSEs (A*-C/9-4 or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

• 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 as soon as possible following the closing date.

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.

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