Cemetery Team Member

Reading Borough Council; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization is seeking a dedicated Grounds Maintenance Worker based at Henley Road Cemetery in Reading. Responsibilities include grave digging, grounds maintenance, and assisting with memorials. Candidates should have experience with grounds equipment and good communication skills. The role requires flexibility to work weekends and holidays. A supportive environment with a competitive salary and benefits is offered, including generous holiday entitlement and a local government pension scheme.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

On-site day nursery

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Qualifications

• Experience of using a range of grounds based equipment such as strimmer’s and mowers.
• Experience working within a cemetery environment or open spaces.
• Experience of dealing with the public face-to-face.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties involved with digging graves and grounds maintenance.
• Assist with memorial safety checks and cremation duties.
• Manage traffic for large funerals.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication Skills

Ability to work outdoors

Tools

Strimmer

Lawn Mower

Job description

About the role

You will be based at Henley Road Cemetery & Crematorium Office, All Hallows Road, Reading, RG4 5LP but the role covers all cemeteries under the control of Reading Borough Council.

Main duties

• Perform all duties involved with the digging of graves – mechanical or by hand – dressing of graves and subsequent filling arrangements, leaving the grave tidy and presentable.
• Perform duties involved in grounds maintenance such as strimming, mowing, hedge cutting and topping up of graves, as indicated on service schedules to ensure that the appearance and maintenance of the cemetery grounds are to specified standard.
• Carry out equipment maintenance, repair, cleaning and replacement.
• Perform duties involved in the exhumation of graves, as required.
• Maintain floral areas and garden areas; this will include weeding, planting, leaf collecting and hedge cutting.
• Undertake relevant activities in support of memorialisation options offered by the service.
• Assist with memorial safety checks.
• Be a team player by contributing to and actively participating in team meetings and service improvements.
• Perform and assist with duties involved with cremation.
• Carry out Service Attendant duties as and when required.
• Assist in traffic management for large funerals, as and when required.

About you

You will be expected to work well in a team and outdoors in all weathers. You will have a sense of achievement, be well organised and be able to adopt a practical approach to tasks given.

The ability to work unsupervised and project manage your area of work is essential to deliver results under pressure and within tight deadlines and objectives. Attention to detail to ensure duties are carried out with the accuracy and quality is also required.

You’ll also be asked to work some weekends, evenings and Bank holidays; this will be on a rota basis and be flexible to adjust working hours to meet operational demands if required.

The following will also help you to hit the ground running:

• Experience of using a range of grounds based equipment such as strimmer’s, mowers.
• Worked within a Cemetery environment or open spaces location.
• Experience of grave digging would be advantageous (training provided).
• Experience of completing basic maintenance on equipment.
• Experience of dealing with the public face‑to‑face, as well as dealing with a variety of stakeholder organisations.
• Must be of tidy appearance when required to meet members of the public.
• Hold a full driving licence.

Our vision

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.

Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team – champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading.
• Drive Efficiency – create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively.
• Be Ambitious – aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential.
• Make a Difference to Reading – inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
• On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.

Closing Date: Thursday 18th December 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Process: To be confirmed