Cemetery Caretaker (backhoe experience required)

NorthStar Memorial Group; North Olmsted, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

NorthStar Memorial Group in Ohio is seeking a Cemetery Caretaker with hands-on backhoe experience to prepare cemetery, mausoleum, and funeral home spaces with safety, care, and respect. This stable, year-round role emphasizes precise excavation, routine equipment checks, and facility upkeep.

Responsibilities include operating a backhoe for grave digging and trenching, maintaining grounds, and assisting in loading/unloading caskets, cleaning facilities, and performing minor repairs as needed.

Qualifications

• 6+ months of backhoe operating experience (grave digging, construction excavation, trenching, or similar work)
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs and perform physical outdoor labor in all weather conditions

Responsibilities

• Operates a backhoe confidently and safely for grave digging, trenching, and precise excavation
• Uses practical excavation experience to ensure accurate depth, placement, and soil handling
• Performs routine equipment inspections and basic maintenance
• Follows all PPE requirements, safety protocols, and site procedures
• Cleans ponds and fountains
• Maintains lawn and trims around trees, walkways, and memorial markers
• Lays sod
• Moves and removes flowers to and from the chapel and graveside
• Blows leaf and grass
• Edges with stick edger
• Clears debris and maintains drives and walkways in a safe condition
• Hand digs/trenching
• Facilities Cleaning: Maintains overall appearance and cleanliness of funeral homes and/or mausoleum facilities
• Cleans and maintains the facility, performs minor repairs, painting, etc.
• Assists in loading and unloading caskets
• Vehicle and golf cart washing/cleaning

Skills

Backhoe operation

Physical stamina

Outdoor work readiness

Job description

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

Cemetery Caretaker (backhoe experience required)

NorthStar Memorial Group’s maintenance teams take pride in preserving our grounds with precision, tradition, and care. As a Cemetery Caretaker, you play a vital role in ensuring every family’s experience is honored through safe, accurate, and respectful preparation of our cemetery and mausoleum spaces. This stable, year-round position offers meaningful work, transferable skills, and a strong sense of purpose.

The Cemetery Caretaker is responsible for maintaining the overall appearance, safety, and functionality of cemetery, mausoleum, and funeral home locations. This role requires hands-on backhoe operating experience for grave digging, trenching, and site preparation. Candidates without backhoe experience will NOTbe considered.

Responsibilities

• Operates a backhoe confidently and safely for grave digging, trenching, and precise excavation
• Uses practical excavation experience to ensure accurate depth, placement, and soil handling
• Performs routine equipment inspections and basic maintenance
• Follows all PPE requirements, safety protocols, and site procedures
• Cuts grass.
• Maintains lawn and trims around trees, walkways, and memorial markers
• Lays sod
• Moves and removes flowers to and from the chapel and graveside.
• Blows leaf and grass
• Edges with stick edger
• Clears debris and maintains drives and walkways in a safe condition.
• Cleans ponds and fountains
• Hand digs/trenching
• Facilities Cleaning:
  • Maintains overall appearance and cleanliness of funeral homes and/or mausoleum facilities.
  • Cleans and maintains the facility, performs minor repairs, painting, etc.
  • Assists in loading and unloading caskets.
  • Vehicle and golf cart washing/cleaning

Qualifications

• 6 + months of backhoe operating experience (grave digging, construction excavation, trenching, or similar work)
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs and perform physical outdoor labor in all weather conditions

We are an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.