Funeral Service Operative

We're looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at our R S Johnson & Sons Funeral Directors in South Shields as a Funeral Service Operative (Level One), supporting families through one of life's most sensitive moments.

Our Mission: To help every family in Britain navigate the hardest moments of life with simplicity, dignity, kindness and exceptional care.

Our Vision: The UK's leading end-of-life company, helping 1 in 3 people across the UK to plan for and deal with death.

Why This Role Matters

At Dignity Funeral Directors, every farewell is handled with compassion, dignity and care. You'll help families feel supported, respected and reassured throughout.

Your Impact and Responsibilities

You're often the first person a grieving family meets, so this role calls for empathy, confidence and attention to detail. You'll take care of the deceased and help ensure families' wishes are met, always with respect and dignity.

As a Funeral Service Operative (Level One), you will:

+ Provide dignified, professional care for the deceased.
+ Support Funeral Directors with seamless service and ceremonial work.
+ Drive and maintain specialist vehicles (hearses, limousines, private ambulances).
+ Keep vehicles and facilities presented to a high standard.
+ Join the on-call rota (including nights/weekends), including collection and transfer of the deceased.
+ Bring the deceased into our care from homes, hospitals, hospices or public places.
+ Prepare the deceased (washing, dressing, presentation) to family, religious or cultural wishes.
+ Support chapel visits and family interactions calmly and respectfully.
+ Carry out all duties involving the deceased with care and professionalism.

+ Full UK Driving Licence (essential).
+ Empathetic, professional and composed under pressure.
+ Respectful and caring with colleagues and families.
+ Physically capable of manual handling.
+ Comfortable working directly with the deceased.
+ Reliable and flexible, including outside standard hours.
+ Professional, dignified presentation.
+ PC literate - Microsoft Office, Outlook and internal systems (training provided).

No previous funeral experience is needed - full training, uniform and support provided.

Dignity Funeral Directors helps families say goodbye to the people they love with simplicity, dignity, kindness and exceptional care. Every day, our funeral teams across the country support families through some of life's hardest moments. As part of Life Services Group, Dignity Funeral Directors is also part of a wider mission to make end-of-life care more joined up, more supported and easier for families to navigate. Be there when families need you most; with work that matters, a team that supports you, and the training to build a career, whether you've done this before or not.

Dignity Funeral Directors is part of Life Services Group; the group bringing together Dignity Funeral Directors, CMG, Simplicity Cremations, Dignity Legal Services and Farewill. Together, we can support families across more of the end-of-life journey, while each brand keeps the name, identity and community connection people already know. For Dignity Funeral Directors, that means more investment in better training, better support and better tools for our funeral teams.

You'll be part of a close-knit team who look out for each other and take real pride in their work. No two days are the same, and the work you do is noticed and valued.

+ Time to recharge - Up to 25 days' annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays.
+ Extra reward - Yearly bonus of £300-£500.
+ Planning for your future - 4% matched pension.
+ Peace of mind - Life assurance at 2x salary.
+ Everyday savings - MyStaffShop discounts, eyecare support and flu jab reimbursement.
+ Support when you need it - 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health and confidential counselling.
+ Learn and grow - Ongoing training, internal learning pathways and apprenticeships.
+ Making work easier - Free on-site parking at most locations.