Funeral Service Operative

Life Services Group; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 22 days annual leave

4% matched pension

MyStaffShop discounts

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Training and apprenticeship avenues

Free on-site parking

Job summary

J Rymer Funeral Directors in York is seeking a compassionate Funeral Service Operative (Level One) to support families during difficult moments. You will care for the deceased, assist Funeral Directors with ceremonies, and drive specialist vehicles in a full-time, permanent role.

Full UK driving licence is essential, with training provided. The role requires empathy, reliability and a respectful, professional demeanor, including out-of-hours work. On-site parking is available at many locations.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence is essential.
• Empathetic, professional and composed under pressure.
• Physically capable of manual handling.
• Reliable and flexible, including outside standard hours.
• Comfortable working directly with the deceased.
• PC literate – Microsoft Office, Outlook and internal systems (training provided).

Responsibilities

• Provide dignified, professional care for the deceased.
• Support Funeral Directors with seamless service and ceremonial work.
• Drive and maintain specialist vehicles (hearses, limousines, private ambulances).
• Keep vehicles and facilities presented to a high standard.
• Join the on-call rota (including nights/weekends).
• Bring the deceased into our care from homes, hospitals, hospices or public places.
• Prepare the deceased (washing, dressing, presentation) to family, religious or cultural wishes.
• Support chapel visits and family interactions calmly and respectfully.
• Carry out all duties involving the deceased with care and professionalism.

Skills

Full UK Driving Licence

Empathetic and professional

Physically capable of manual handling

Reliable and flexible

Comfortable working with the deceased

PC literate - Microsoft Office, and OL

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Job description

Position: Funeral Service Operative Level One

Location: J Rymer Funeral Directors, York

Job Type: Full-time, permanent

Salary: £26,708.34 per annum plus on-call payments

We're looking for a compassionate, reliable individual to join our team at J Rymer Funeral Directors, York as a Funeral Service Operative (Level One), supporting families through one of life's most sensitive moments.

Our Mission: To help every family in the UK navigate the hardest moments of life with simplicity, dignity, kindness and exceptional care.

Our Vision: The UK's leading end-of-life company, helping 1 in 3 people across the UK to plan for and deal with death.

Why This Role Matters

At Dignity Funeral Directors, every farewell is handled with compassion, dignity and care. You'll help families feel supported, respected and reassured throughout.

Your Impact and Responsibilities

You're often the first person a grieving family meets, so this role calls for empathy, confidence and attention to detail. You'll take care of the deceased and help ensure families' wishes are met, always with respect and dignity.

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

• Provide dignified, professional care for the deceased.
• Support Funeral Directors with seamless service and ceremonial work.
• Drive and maintain specialist vehicles (hearses, limousines, private ambulances).
• Keep vehicles and facilities presented to a high standard.
• Join the on-call rota (including nights/weekends), including collection and transfer of the deceased.
• Bring the deceased into our care from homes, hospitals, hospices or public places.
• Prepare the deceased (washing, dressing, presentation) to family, religious or cultural wishes.
• Support chapel visits and family interactions calmly and respectfully.
• Carry out all duties involving the deceased with care and professionalism.

Skills and Knowledge

• Full UK Driving Licence (essential).
• Empathetic, professional and composed under pressure.
• Respectful and caring with colleagues and families.
• Physically capable of manual handling.
• Comfortable working directly with the deceased.
• Reliable and flexible, including outside standard hours.
• Professional, dignified presentation.
• PC literate — Microsoft Office, Outlook and internal systems (training provided).

No previous funeral experience is needed — full training, uniform and support provided.

What you can expect from us

• Time to recharge – Accrue up to 22 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, based on the hours you work, giving you valuable time to rest, recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Planning for your future – 4% matched pension to help you build long-term financial security.
• 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.
• Support when you need it – Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health services and confidential counselling.
• Making work easier – Free on-site parking available at most of our locations.

What Sets Us Apart

• Meaningful purpose – Supporting families through the hardest moments of their lives.
• Grow with us – More career paths and leadership opportunities as our group grows.
• Shape the future – Help us become the UK's number one end-of-life provider and see the difference it makes.

Why Dignity Funerals

Dignity Funeral Directors helps families say goodbye to the people they love with simplicity, dignity, kindness and exceptional care. Every day, our funeral teams across the country support families through some of life's hardest moments. As part of Life Services Group, Dignity Funeral Directors is also part of a wider mission to make end-of-life care more joined up, more supported and easier for families to navigate. Be there when families need you most; with work that matters, a team that supports you, and the training to build a career, whether you've done this before or not.

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, better support and better tools for our funeral teams.

You’ll be part of a close-knit team who look out for each other and take real pride in their work. No two days are the same, and the work you do is noticed and valued.

If you want a job that is genuinely meaningful, helping families in your community through one of the hardest times in their lives; find your Life's work.

FCA Statement

Dignity Funeral Directors is part of a group that includes FCA-regulated activities. Some roles may require additional training, screening or regulatory checks, confirmed during recruitment.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We know diverse teams build a better place to work. Whoever you are, we'd love to hear from you — let us know if you need anything to make the process more accessible.

Unsolicited agency submissions will be treated as direct applications, with no fee payable. We may close or extend applications depending on response levels, so we'd recommend applying early.