Funeral Service Operative

Southern Co-op; Lancing; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local community-focused cooperative in the UK is seeking a compassionate individual for a funeral role. No previous experience is required as training will be provided. Responsibilities include collecting and preparing the deceased, driving vehicles for funerals, and acting as a bearer. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills, resilience, and empathy. Join a team dedicated to serving local communities with a fair and fresh approach.

Benefits

20% colleague discount in our retail shops

Health & dental cash plans

24/7 virtual GP & fitness discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Life insurance & NEST pension

Financial wellbeing tools

Training & development opportunities

Qualifications

• No previous experience in the funeral industry is required.
• Training will be provided.
• Willingness to travel to other sites.

Responsibilities

• Collecting the deceased and bringing them into care.
• Helping dress and prepare the deceased for viewing.
• Driving vehicles and ensuring they are clean for each funeral.
• Acting as a bearer for funerals.
• Supporting local communities as a trusted ambassador.

Skills

Excellent communication & listening skills

Resilience and ability to work under pressure

High level of understanding, empathy, and compassion

Job description

What you’ll get…

• 20% colleague discount in our retail shops
• Health & dental cash plans
• 24/7 virtual GP & fitness discounts via Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life insurance & NEST pension
• Financial wellbeing tools & share incentive scheme
• Cycle‑to‑work & Electric Vehicle schemes
• Training & development opportunities

What to expect…

• Collecting the deceased and bringing them into our care. This may involve challenging locations and circumstances.
• Helping dress and prepare the deceased, including preparing for viewing and placing the deceased into the coffin or casket.
• Driving our vehicles and ensuring all are in a pristine condition for each funeral.
• Acting as a bearer.
• Supporting our local communities and acting as a trusted ambassador for our funeral care services.
• This role will involve manual handling.

What we’re looking for…

• Excellent communication & listening skills.
• Can demonstrate resilience and work under pressure.
• High level of understanding, empathy, and compassion.

Training…

• Previous experience within the funeral industry is not required as we’ll provide full training.
• Travel to other sites will be required.

About Us…

We’re an independent Co‑op, operating across the south of England running convenience food stores, funeral homes, crematoria, natural/woodland burial grounds and a Starbucks coffee franchise. We’re owned by our ,+ members, have over 4, colleagues and a purpose of working together for the benefit of our communities. We have a commitment to sustainable business and a promise to provide a fair, fresh approach, for all. Become part of the family who are proud to serve local communities and put people first.

Recruitment Process…

• Make your application
• If you’re successful, we’ll contact you to arrange a telephone interview
• If you’re successful, we’ll arrange an on‑site interview and review your Eligibility to Work in the UK documentation
• Feedback and next steps

Successful candidates will undergo a DBS check as part of compliance requirements.

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.