Cemetery Operative

VN Appointments; Rayleigh; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

VN Appointments is recruiting a Cemetery & Open Spaces Operative to maintain cemeteries, woodland and open spaces to a high standard.

You will work outdoors in all weather, operate a range of machinery, and provide a sensitive, professional service to families, funeral professionals and visitors. This role offers variety and a chance to make a tangible contribution to community spaces and safety.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance or cemetery work.
• Confident outdoors in all weather; accurate and safe working.
• Ability to operate a range of machinery and vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cemetery grounds, paths and memorial areas to a safe standard.
• Prepare graves for interments, including excavation where needed.
• Prepare graves for funerals by arranging equipment and tidying the area after interment.
• General grounds and horticultural maintenance (mowing, hedges, planting, turfing).
• Inspect headstones and memorials for safety concerns and take action as needed.
• Operate tractors, mini-diggers and other grounds-maintenance machinery.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Horticulture

Safe working practices

Teamwork

Machinery operation

Tools

Tractors

Mini-diggers

Hand tools

Job description

Cemetery & Open Spaces Operative

We are looking for a practical, reliable and respectful individual to join our team as a Cemetery & Open Spaces Operative.

This is a varied, hands-on role involving the day-to-day care and maintenance of cemeteries, woodland and open spaces. You will help ensure these areas are safe, well presented and maintained to a high standard, while providing a professional and sensitive service to families, visitors and funeral professionals.

About the role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining cemetery grounds, paths, boundaries, memorial areas and other site features to a safe and presentable standard.
• Preparing graves for scheduled interments, including locating, measuring, excavating and, where necessary, shoring graves. Excavation may involve both manual work and mechanical equipment.
• Preparing graves for funerals by arranging the required equipment and materials, and reinstating and tidying the area following an interment.
• Carrying out general grounds and horticultural maintenance, including mowing, strimming, hedge cutting, pruning, planting, weeding, turfing and path maintenance.
• Planting and caring for trees, shrubs, roses, bulbs and other plants as required.
• Inspecting headstones and memorials for signs of instability or damage and taking appropriate action where safety concerns are identified.
• Communicating sensitively with relatives where work or safety measures relating to memorials are required.
• Operating tractors, mini-diggers and other grounds-maintenance machinery, together with a range of hand and powered tools.
• Carrying out daily checks, cleaning and routine maintenance of vehicles, machinery and equipment and completing the appropriate records.
• Coordinating and overseeing contractors or other team members when required.
• Undertaking fencing, bench installation, path maintenance and other minor construction and estate-maintenance work across woodland and open-space areas.
• Maintaining cemetery facilities, including cleaning, servicing and securing toilet facilities.
• Removing litter, waste, wreaths, floral tributes, spent flowers and plant pots from cemetery and crematorium areas as required.
• Completing routine records, paperwork and other administrative duties associated with cemetery and grounds-maintenance operations.
• Reporting anti-social, inappropriate or unlawful behaviour to the relevant manager.
• Providing cover for the Open Spaces Operational Officer during periods of absence when required.

The person we are looking for

You will ideally have practical experience in grounds maintenance, horticulture, estate management, cemetery work or a similar outdoor environment.

You should be confident working outdoors in all weather conditions and comfortable using a variety of tools, machinery and vehicles. A practical approach, good attention to detail and a commitment to working safely are essential.

As the role involves working around funerals and supporting bereaved families, sensitivity, discretion and professionalism are particularly important. You will be expected to treat everyone with dignity and respect and maintain positive working relationships with funeral directors, clergy, colleagues, mourners and visitors.

What you'll bring

• A practical, hands-on approach.
• Experience of grounds maintenance, horticulture, estate work or a related area.
• Confidence using machinery, vehicles and hand or powered tools.
• A strong understanding of safe working practices.
• The ability to work respectfully and sensitively in a cemetery environment.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Reliability, initiative and a willingness to take responsibility.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

This is a rewarding and varied position offering the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the appearance, safety and upkeep of important community spaces while providing a considerate service to those who use them