Funeral Service Operative

Overview

Position: Funeral Service Operative
Location: Ayrshire Care Centre, Kilmarnock
Job Type: Full-time, permanent - 38.33 hours per week
Salary: £25,652.00 per annum plus on-call payments

We're looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at our Ayrshire Care Centre in Kilmarnock 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.

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)
• 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/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

We re Looking For Someone With/Is

• 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.

• 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.

To join us in this role, hit the 'apply' button to submit your application, and a member of our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch!

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.

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