Funeral Service Operative

Position: Funeral Service Operative Location: Dignity Funerals Ltd, Orpington Job Type: Full-time, permanentSalary: £31,158.40 per annum plus on-call payments
We're looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at our Dignity Funerals Ltd Care Centre in Orpington 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 way.
Shift Patterns
This role is based on a rotating shift pattern across our London centres, which includes:

4:00 AM - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM - 00.00 AM

Flexibility is essential, as the role will involve out-of-hours support.
Your Impact and Responsibilities…
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)
Maintaining high standards of presentation for vehicles and facilities, and ensuring 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

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.
What We Offer…

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.

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.