At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead funeral services with compassion and professionalism, supporting families through challenging times.
- Company: Join Dignity, a trusted name in funeral care with over 200 years of history.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and health & wellbeing support.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in a meaningful field.
- Qualifications: Experience in funeral services and a compassionate approach to supporting families.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 35000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced and compassionate individual to join our team as a Funeral Director at Oliver & James Funeral Directors, Headington, Oxfordshire. You'll oversee funeral operations and ensure every service is delivered to the highest standard, while supporting families through one of life's most challenging moments. As a representative of both the local brand and the wider Dignity Group, you'll also play an essential role in engaging with the local community and building trusted relationships.
This role requires expert knowledge of funeral processes, care of the deceased, and legal and regulatory requirements, as well as a deep respect for individuals' cultural and religious beliefs. You'll coordinate teams with care, take accountability for delivering services to the highest standard, and lead by example every day.
As a 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 a Funeral Director, you will:
- 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
- Support the team in managing the diary, resources and records
- 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
Previous experience leading funerals, working with the deceased and supporting families is essential. You should have in-depth knowledge of funeral processes, legal and regulatory requirements, and be calm under pressure with a respectful, compassionate approach to service. You must also be physically capable of manual handling tasks, including coffin bearing, and hold a Full UK Driving Licence.
Professional development includes a comprehensive induction plan and the opportunity to complete in-house development programmes or pursue a qualification through our apprenticeship programme.
Additional benefits include:
- 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
If this sounds like the next step in your career and you're ready to support families and lead with professionalism, hit the 'apply' button. A member of our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.
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. We are now building the UK's leading end-of-life company, operating 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.
Funeral Director - Full time (Permanent) in Banbury employer: Dignity Funerals Limited
At Oliver & James Funeral Directors in Headington, Oxfordshire, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values compassion and professionalism. Our supportive work culture fosters employee growth through comprehensive training programmes and mentorship opportunities, ensuring you are well-equipped to provide the highest standard of care to families during their most challenging times. With generous holiday allowances, a health and wellbeing programme, and the potential for bonuses, we are committed to your personal and professional development while making a meaningful impact in the community.
