Funeral Service Operative Level One

DIGNITY FUNERALS LIMITED; Manchester; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A trusted funeral provider in Manchester is seeking a Funeral Service Operative to provide dignified care for the deceased and support families during sensitive times. This role involves driving specialist vehicles, maintaining high standards, and participating in call-outs. Ideal candidates will be empathetic, professional under pressure, and possess a full UK driving licence. Training and support will be provided, ensuring a compassionate care environment for families while managing dignity in farewells.

Benefits

Professional development

Bonus potential

Life assurance cover

Health & wellbeing programme

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Demonstrates empathy and professionalism in sensitive situations.
• Is capable of manual handling tasks, including lifting and carrying.
• Holds a full UK driving licence and is reliable and flexible.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Empathy

Professionalism

Composure under pressure

Manual handling

Reliability

Flexibility

Presentation skills

Full UK driving licence

Job description

We're looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at our Dignity Funerals Ltd branch in Camberwell 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 process.

Shift Patterns

• 4:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Flexibility is essential as the role will involve out‑of‑hours support.

Responsibilities

• 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).
• Maintain high standards of presentation for vehicles and facilities, and ensure they are well‑maintained.
• Participate in an out‑of‑hours on‑call rota (including nights and weekends) to support families – providing 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.

Qualifications and Skills

• 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.
• Holds a full UK driving licence (essential).
• No previous funeral experience is necessary – complete training, uniform and support will be provided.

About Dignity

We are Dignity, one of the UK's oldest and most trusted funeral providers, with over 200 years of history, 570 branches, and 46 crematoria across the country. From launching the UK's first funeral plan to helping shape modern regulation, we have led the way in supporting families with care, compassion, and professionalism. We are now building the UK's leading end‑of‑life company. As part of the Dignity Group, we also operate Farewill, the country's most prominent will writer and one of the UK's top probate providers, giving families support not just at the funeral, but before and after as well. Today, we are over 4,000 people across the UK, all driven by the same goal: to care for families with compassion and make the UK a world leader in end‑of‑life care.

Legal and Equality Statements

FCA Statement – The FCA regulates us so that some roles may be subject to background checks.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement – We know that diverse teams make better decisions, build better products, and create a more inclusive and better place to work. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your life looks like, we’d love to hear from you. And if there’s anything you need to make the process more accessible, please let us know. Unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate, and no fees will be payable. We reserve the right, depending on the number of applications received, to close or extend the closing dates for positions; therefore, we recommend submitting your application early.

Benefits

• Professional development – a comprehensive induction plan and the opportunity to complete in‑house development programmes to set you up for success or to pursue a qualification through our apprenticeship programme.
• Bonus potential – unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
• Life assurance cover – enjoy peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family's future.
• Health & wellbeing programme – benefit from an employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing.
• Holiday allowance – start with a generous leave entitlement of 30‑33 days per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays.
• Pension scheme – plan for the future with our contributory pension scheme, helping you save for a secure retirement.