Bereavement Services Operative

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Kirklees; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirklees Metropolitan Council is advertising two Operative positions within Bereavement Services. One post focuses on Cremator Technician duties across crematoria, the other on Grave Digging. Both roles require flexibility, weekend work, health clearances and driving licence.

Each vacancy is a 37-hour week over five days, with initial placement at Huddersfield or Wilton Park Depot and duties across all sites as needed. Fixed-term for one year.

Qualifications

• Training required: BTEC Certificate ICCM Crematorium Technical Operations.
• Health and Safety awareness and certificate (Competent Persons).
• Health clearance after screening and medical checks.
• Must be physically fit to work in all conditions.
• Grave digging role requires Cemetery Operatives Training Scheme (COTS).

Responsibilities

• Carry out cremations and crematorium operations.
• Work front of house and assist customers.
• Grave digging, grave preparation and cemetery grounds maintenance.
• Maintain crematoria and cemetery buildings to high standards.

Job description

Bereavement Services is part of Culture & Visitor Economy and provides the full range of crematoria and cemetery services for both Kirklees and non-Kirklees residents.

There are two Bereavement Services Operative positions available. One post will work mainly as a Cremator Technician across both crematoria, and the other will work mainly within the Grave Digging team. Both roles will provide cover and support in the other area when required to meet service needs. The roles involve a varied range of duties, including undertaking cremations, working front of house, grave digging and grave preparation, grounds maintenance and repair, and duties associated with cremations, memorials and burials. A key part of both roles is ensuring that the needs of customers are met with care and professionalism, and that the crematoria, cemetery grounds and associated buildings are operated and maintained to a high standard.

This is a 37 hour a week position worked over 5 days, flexibility is essential as role includes occasional Saturday working. One of the posts will initially be at Huddersfield whilst training is being undertaken and one of the roles will be based at the Wilton Park Depot, but both roles will require work at all crematoria and cemeteries in the Bereavement Services portfolio. This is a fixed term role of 1 year.

• Commitment to further training and development is required for the role (BTEC Certificate for ICCM Crematorium Technical Operations.
• A good understanding of Health and Safety practices and willing to complete a Health & Safety Competent Persons Certificate.
• Must undertake standard screening plus any other medical screening as decided by the occupational health physician, appropriate to occupational risk. Any offer of employment is subject to satisfactory health clearance.
• You must be physically fit and able to work in all conditions.
• Commitment to further training and development is required for the grave digging role (Cemetery Operatives Training Scheme, COTS).

Travel is essential to this role, so regular access to a vehicle is required to carry out the duties effectively. You must hold a full, valid driving licence and be willing to undertake and pass a Kirklees Council driving test.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Closing date

18 October 2026, 11:55 PM

Company: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Salary: £27,274 – £32,046

Location: Kirklees, West Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Sector: Housing

Sector: Management and Maintenance

Job Role: Operative