Funeral Service Assistant

Central England Coop; Walsall; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Central England Co-operative's funeral team is seeking dedicated colleagues to support families at one of the most difficult moments. You will care for the deceased with dignity, coordinate preparation and presentation, and accompany families with empathy.

Responsibilities include standby and on-call duties, lifting and transferring the deceased, and collaborating with Society vehicles. A full UK manual driving licence is required, and DBS checks apply.

Qualifications

• Physical ability to lift and transfer the deceased person.
• Hold a full UK Manual driving licence (valid for manual and automatic vehicles).
• Willingness to participate in Standby and On-Call rota.

Responsibilities

• Attend the scene of bereavement to support families with care and preparation of the deceased.
• Ensure proper preparation and presentation of the deceased with dignity and respect.
• Participate in standby/on-call duties as required.

Skills

Compassion

Empathy

Physical lifting ability

Full UK Manual driving licence

Job description

What will you be doing?

Caring for families is at the heart of what we do. You will be our families’ first point of contact whilst attending the scene of the recent bereavement. You’ll build relationships with families at a difficult moment as we take responsibility for the care and preparation of their loved one.

Working within our funeral team offers a unique and privileged experience. You’ll be showing people compassion and empathy on one of the most difficult days of their lives, whilst taking special care to deliver the highest standards of professional service.

You’ll have the responsibility and privilege to look after the preparation and presentation of the person who has passed away, which includes washing and dressing them with the dignity and respect that this personal act requires.

You will also be required to participate in a Standby and On-Call rota as part of your responsibilities.

Please note as of 1st December 2023, new joiners to our Funeral Business will be subject to a standard DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. All offers will be conditional on us receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

How will I know if I am right for this role?

Working in our funeral home requires you to have qualities and characteristics that make you perfect for the role. If you have compassion, empathy and take pride in your professionalism and the thought of caring for the deceased with care and respect speaks to you, then a fulfilling career in funeral could be right for you. This is an extraordinary opportunity for extraordinary people.

Physical ability to lift and transfer the deceased person in our care is essential in this wide-ranging role.

You will work closely with your colleagues as a family unit, who flex and support each other in a variety of duties, including the transfer of the deceased within our Society vehicles. You will need to hold a full UK Manual driving licence (valid for driving manual and automatic vehicles) and be ready to assist with the on-Call schedule across varying shifts.

You will also be required to participate in a Standby and On-Call rota as part of your responsibilities

We’re looking for people from all walks of life, whether you’ve had your own experiences that lead you to wanting to pursue a role in funeral care, or you have a passion for helping people and wish to make a difference to your community. With the right coaching, guidance and ability to learn being provided, a long-term and fulfilling career path in a caring profession is waiting for you.

Everyone is welcome here. We’re happy to make reasonable adjustments so that all our candidates can show us how they’ll perform their role. There is a section in the application form where you can provide any additional information. Please use this section to include any reasonable adjustments you need, and we’ll do our best to support you through our recruitment process.

Who are we?

OurCoop is the UK’s largest independent co‑operative Society, with more than one million Members and 13,000 colleagues operating in communities nationwide. It was formed by bringing together Central Co‑op, The Midcounties Co‑operative and Chelmsford Star Co‑op to create a stronger, member‑owned organisation rooted in shared co‑operative values.

The Society trades nationally through its family of businesses while remaining deeply rooted in local communities. Its footprint spans Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire in the South and West; the Midlands including Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire; the North including Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire; and the East of England, including Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

OurCoop and its family of businesses are trading names of Central England Co‑operative Limited.

Why join us?

The enthusiasm and commitment of our colleagues is what keeps our customers coming back, and every role plays an important part in making a real difference each day.

As a co‑operative built on the values of equity, solidarity and community, we believe our colleagues should be recognised and rewarded for the contribution they make.

That's why we offer a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement that increases with service, and a wide range of colleague benefits. From colleague discounts, recognition programmes and personalised learning and development opportunities to paid volunteering time and enhanced family friendly policies, we’re committed to helping our colleagues feel valued, supported and able to thrive.

Wellbeing is a priority for us, and we provide a range of benefits and support designed to help colleagues look after their physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Whatever stage of life you’re at, we’re here to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

To learn more about our rewards and benefits, please visit Rewards and benefits - Central Coop