Cemetery Chargehand

Rossendale Borough Council; Bacup; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Rossendale Borough Council is seeking a Cemetery Charge Hand to join the Green Spaces Team. You will oversee grave and vault preparation and ensure plots are ready for funerals, while maintaining high standards of cemetery grounds and grave aftercare.

You’ll operate machinery such as excavators and dumpers, liaise with funeral directors and the public with empathy, and work both independently and as part of a team to provide a respectful cemetery service.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a cemetery environment.
• Practical grounds maintenance skills.
• Experience operating excavators and dumpers.
• Physically fit and well organised.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent communication skills and empathy with bereaved families.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation of graves and vaults and ensure burial plots are ready for funerals.
• Maintain cemetery grounds to a high standard and carry out general grounds maintenance.
• Conduct grave aftercare and memorial safety inspections; ensure safe operation of machinery and equipment (excavators and dumpers).
• Regularly liaise with funeral directors, the public, colleagues and Councillors in a professional, approachable manner.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Machinery operation

Excavators

Dumpers

Job description

We are looking to appoint a Cemetery Charge Hand to join our Green Spaces Team and help deliver a high-quality, professional and sensitive cemetery service.

The role will involve overseeing the preparation of graves and vaults, ensuring burial plots are ready for funerals, and maintaining cemetery grounds to a high standard. Duties will include general grounds maintenance, grave aftercare, memorial safety inspections and the safe operation of machinery and equipment, including excavators and dumpers.

You will regularly liaise with funeral directors, members of the public, colleagues and Councillors, so a professional, approachable and empathetic manner is essential.

You will have experience of working in a cemetery environment, together with practical grounds maintenance skills and experience operating machinery such as excavators and dumpers. You will be physically fit, well organised and able to work independently and as part of a team.

You will also have excellent communication skills and the ability to deal sensitively with bereaved families and members of the public.

If you take pride in maintaining high standards and want to play an important role in providing a respectful and caring cemetery service, we would love to hear from you.

For more information please download the Job Description/Person Specification document below.

Closing date: Monday 16th November 2026 at 9am

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note: We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. Early application is strongly encouraged.