Apprentice Funeral Director

Introduction

We're looking for a compassionate Apprentice Funeral Director to learn all aspects of funeral operations, helping deliver exceptional services while supporting families through difficult times. You'll also represent our local brand, build community relationships, and make a meaningful difference every day.

About the Employer

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. Here to help, whenever you need.

What You'll Do

 As an Apprentice Funeral Director, you'll play an important role in helping families navigate bereavement with kindness, empathy and professionalism. You'll learn from experienced colleagues while developing the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to become a qualified Funeral Director. No previous funeral industry experience is required – full training and support will be provided throughout your apprenticeship journey. 

As an Apprentice Funeral Director, you are a calm, confident presence at the heart of our funeral care. You’ll support families through one of the most emotional experiences of their lives, helping them feel informed, respected, and cared for.

From the first meeting to the day of the funeral and beyond, you’ll guide them through their options with clarity and compassion, supporting aftercare, ashes, memorialisation and funeral plans.

As an Apprentice Funeral Director, you will learn to:

• Lead funeral services with professionalism and attention to detail
• Run pre-funeral briefings to ensure everything is clearly understood and well-coordinated
• Offer a consultative approach - helping families explore available options and understand what’s possible
• Collaborate with arrangers, specialists, FDs and care teams
• Support the team in managing the diary, resources and records
• Assist with coffin preparation, handling of the deceased, and chapel duties where required
• Provide leadership and mentoring to less experienced team members, sharing learning, and taking part in training and development
• Support with local community engagement and promotion of the brand you represent - build relationships with care homes, celebrants and local religious and ethnic groups
• Act as a liaison with service and client delivery to ensure seamless scheduling and service coordination

Training Outcome

On successful completion of the Level 3 Funeral Director Apprenticeship, we would look to retain the right person within the business in a permanent Funeral Director role. We are committed to investing in our colleagues for the long term and supporting their ongoing development.

With experience and continued development, there are opportunities to progress into Senior Funeral Director positions, taking on greater responsibility and supporting the development of others. Career progression will be supported through further training, on-the-job learning, and increased leadership opportunities.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience
• Empathy

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - English - Grade C/4 or above
• Essential - GCSE - Maths - Grade C/4 or above

Course Information

Course: Funeral director (level 3)

Level: 3

Route: Sales, marketing and procurement

Apprenticeship Level: Advanced

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, shifts, may work evenings and weekends.

Expected Duration: 1 Year

Training Provider: THE OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER LTD