Funeral Service Operative

Dignity Plc; Newbury; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 25 days annual leave + bank hols

Bonus up to £300–£500 yearly

4% pension matching

Life assurance 2x salary

MyStaffShop discounts and eyecare

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Ongoing training and apprenticeship

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Dignity Funeral Directors in Newbury is seeking a compassionate Funeral Service Operative (Level One) to support families and ensure dignified end-of-life care. You will assist Funeral Directors, handle the deceased with respect, and help deliver ceremonies.

You will be part of a close-knit team, with training provided. The role includes on-call shifts outside standard hours, driving specialist vehicles, and maintaining presentation of vehicles and facilities.

Qualifications

• Full UK Driving Licence (Essential).
• Empathy, professionalism and composure under pressure.
• Physically capable of manual handling tasks.
• Willingness to work outside standard hours when needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide dignified and professional care for the deceased.
• Support Funeral Directors in delivering seamless service and ceremonial work.
• Drive and operate specialist vehicles (hearses, limousines, ambulances).
• Maintain high standards of presentation for vehicles and facilities.

Skills

Empathy

Reliability

Professionalism

Manual handling

Willingness to work odd hours

Tools

PC literacy

Job description

We're looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at our Camp Hopson Funerals, Newbury as a Funeral Service Operative (Level One). This role offers the opportunity to support families during one of life's most sensitive moments, playing a key part in delivering respectful and meaningful services that genuinely make a difference.

Why This Role Matters…

At Dignity, we believe that every farewell should be handled with compassion, dignity, and care. Your role will ensure that families feel supported, respected, and reassured throughout the entire way.

Your Impact and Responsibilities…

Being a Funeral Service Operative means playing a central part in one of life's most significant moments. You're often the first person a grieving family meets, and your presence can shape how they remember the most difficult of days. This role calls for empathy, confidence, and attention to detail. You are entrusted with the role of taking care of our deceased and ensuring our families' wishes can be met. You conduct yourself with respect & dignity, understanding the privilege it is to undertake the work you do.

As a Funeral Services Operative (Level One), you will:

• Provide dignified and professional care for the deceased
• Support Funeral Directors in delivering seamless service and ceremonial work
• Drive and operate specialist vehicles (including hearses, limousines and private ambulances)
• Maintaining high standards of presentation for vehicles and facilities, and ensuring they are well-maintained
• Participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota (including nights/weekends) to support families - providing out-of-hours support, including dignified collection and transfer of the deceased into care.
• Bring the deceased into our care from the place of death - including private homes, hospitals, hospices, or public spaces - under varying circumstances
• Prepare the deceased (washing, dressing, presentation) in accordance with family, religious, or cultural wishes
• Support with chapel visits and interactions with families in a calm and respectful manner
• Carry out all duties involving the deceased with the utmost care and professionalism
• Holds a Full UK Driving Licence (Essential).
• Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and composure under pressure.
• Has a respectful, caring approach when supporting both colleagues and families.
• Is physically capable of manual handling tasks, including lifting and carrying.
• Is comfortable working in direct contact with the deceased in a variety of conditions.
• Is reliable, flexible, and able to work outside standard hours when needed.
• Takes pride in presenting themselves in a professional and dignified manner.
• PC Literate - Able to use a range of IT systems, including Microsoft Office, Outlook and internal databases (training provided).

No previous funeral experience is necessary; complete training, uniform, and support will be provided.

Dignity Funeral Directors helps families say goodbye to the people they love with simplicity, dignity, kindness and exceptional care. Every day, our funeral teams support families through some of life's hardest moments. As part of Life Services Group, Dignity Funeral Directors brings our three EVP pillars to life: meaningful work, being there when families need us most; grow with us, through training, support and career-building; and shape the future, by making funeral care more connected, modern and human.

Dignity Funeral Directors is part of Life Services Group; the group bringing together Dignity Funeral Directors, CMG, Simplicity Cremations, Dignity Legal Services and Farewill. Together, we can support families across more of the end-of-life journey, while each brand keeps the name, identity and community connection people already know. For Dignity Funeral Directors, that means more investment in better training, stronger local support and better tools for our funeral teams, so colleagues can grow with us and do their best work for families.

You'll be part of a close-knit team who look out for each other, take real pride in their work and play a direct part in shaping a better experience for families in your community. No two days are the same, and the work you do is noticed and valued.

If you want meaningful work, the chance to grow with us and a role where you can help shape the future of funeral care, find your Life's work.

FCA Statement

Dignity is part of a group that includes FCA-regulated activities, and some roles may be subject to relevant training, screening, conduct, and regulatory requirements. This will be confirmed as part of the recruitment process.

We believe in rewarding our colleagues with a strong, supportive benefits package that helps you feel secure, valued and able to grow.

• Time to recharge - Up to 25 days' annual leave (increasing with service) plus bank holidays, giving you the time you need to rest and reset.
• A little extra reward - Opportunity to earn a yearly bonus of up to £300-£500 in recognition of your contribution.
• Planning for your future - 4% matched pension to help you build long-term financial security.
• Peace of mind - Life assurance cover at 2x your salary to support your loved ones.
• Everyday savings and perks - Access to MyStaffShop, our employee rewards platform, offering savings across high street and online retailers, alongside eyecare support, flu jab reimbursement and lifestyle discounts.
• Support when you need it - Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health services and confidential counselling.
• Learn and grow with us - Ongoing training and development, including internal learning pathways and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Making work easier - Free on-site parking available at most of our locations.