Funeral Director in Chelmsford, Essex

Location: F E J Green & Son, Basildon, Essex

Job Type: Full-time, permanent

Salary: £30,854.12 per annum + additional on-call payments

We are looking for an experienced and compassionate individual to join our team as a Funeral Director at F E J Green & Son, Basildon. You will 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 will also play an essential role in engaging with the local community and building trusted relationships.

Why This Role Matters

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 will coordinate teams with care, take accountability for delivering services to the highest standard, and lead by example every day.

Your Impact and Responsibilities

As a Funeral Director, you are a calm, confident presence at the heart of our funeral care. You will 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 will 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.
• 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.

Skills and Knowledge

We are looking for someone with/is:

• Previous experience leading funerals, working with the deceased and supporting families.
• In-depth knowledge of funeral processes, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
• Calm under pressure with a respectful, compassionate approach to service.
• Physically capable of manual handling tasks, including coffin bearing.
• Able to work flexibly, including weekends and on-call.
• A Full UK Driving Licence (essential).

What you can expect from us

We believe in rewarding our colleagues with a strong, supportive benefits package that helps you feel secure, valued and able to grow.

• Time to recharge - Up to 25 days' annual leave (increasing with service) plus bank holidays, giving you the time you need to rest and reset.
• A little extra reward - Opportunity to earn a yearly bonus of up to £300-£500 in recognition of your contribution.
• Planning for your future - 4% matched pension to help you build long-term financial security.
• Peace of mind - Life assurance cover at 2x your salary to support your loved ones.
• Everyday savings and perks - Access to MyStaffShop, our employee rewards platform, offering savings across high street and online retailers, alongside eyecare support, flu jab reimbursement and lifestyle discounts.
• Support when you need it - Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health services and confidential counselling.
• Learn and grow with us - Ongoing training and development, including internal learning pathways and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Making work easier - Free on-site parking available at most of our locations.

What are the next steps?

If this sounds like the next step in your career and you are 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.

Why Dignity

Dignity exists to help every family in Britain navigate the hardest moments of life with simplicity, dignity, kindness and exceptional care. Every day, our funeral teams across the country help families say goodbye to the people they love. It is a responsibility we take seriously, and it matters.

Dignity is changing for the better. We are investing in better training, better support and better tools for our funeral teams, so you can focus on what matters most: being there for families when they need us. You will 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.

If you want a job that is genuinely meaningful, helping families across Britain through one of the hardest times in their lives, this is a good place to build a career.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We know that diverse teams make better decisions, build better products, and create a more inclusive and better place to work. Whoever you are, wherever you are from, and whatever your life looks like, we would love to hear from you. And if there is anything you need to make the process more accessible, please let us know.