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- Tasks: Support families during funerals, from vehicle preparation to ceremonial duties.
- Company: Join Dignity, a trusted name in funeral services across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy full training, 30-33 days leave, and a company pension.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by helping families through difficult times with compassion.
- Qualifications: Empathy and reliability are key; no prior experience needed, just a Full UK Driving Licence.
- Other info: Flexible hours required; uniform and equipment provided.
The predicted salary is between 20600 - 29500 £ per year.
Position: Funeral Service OperativeLocation: S.A Bates, Funeral Directors, Dunstable
Job Type: Full-Time, PermanentSalary: £25,652 per annum
We’re looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at S.A Bates Funeral Directors as a Funeral Service Operative. This role offers the chance to support families at one of life’s most sensitive moments, playing a key part in delivering respectful, meaningful services that truly 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 every step of the way.
The Role
You’ll support every stage of the funeral process — from preparing vehicles and venues to assisting with ceremonial duties and family interactions. This is a physically active, hands-on role that requires empathy, reliability, and a calm, respectful presence. As a representative of both your local branch and the wider Dignity Group, you’ll help maintain our trusted presence in the community.
Key Responsibilities:
Drive and operate specialist vehicles (including hearses and limousines)
Set up venues and carry out ceremonial duties, including coffin bearing
Maintain funeral vehicles and equipment to high standards
Participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota (including nights/weekends) to support families
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
About You
We’re looking for someone who:
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 — full training, uniform, and support will be provided.
What We Offer
A fulfilling and meaningful role supporting families in your community
Full training and personal development opportunities
30 – 33 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
Uniform and all necessary equipment provided
Company pension and life assurance
Access to an employee assistance programme for wellbeing support
Annual company bonus
We wouldn’t be able to provide this essential service without the dedication of our people. If you’d like to join a compassionate team committed to delivering the highest standards of care — we’d love to hear from you.
What are the next steps?
To join us in this role, simply hit the \’apply\’ button to submit your application and a member of our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch!
About Us
At Dignity, we’re here for families when it matters most. With compassion, professionalism, and integrity at the heart of everything we do, we take pride in supporting people through one of life’s most difficult moments. Every member of our team plays a vital role in delivering exceptional service and care to those who need us.
With over 500 funeral homes across the UK, Dignity Funerals is a trusted presence in local communities, operating under respected and well-known local names. We’re proud to offer a truly personal and attentive service — one that’s tailored to the individual needs and wishes of every family we support.
We’re also part of the wider Dignity Group, a growing organisation with the unique ability to support every aspect of end-of-life planning and care. This includes:
Our Crematoria and Memorials Group, managing 45 crematoria nationwide.
Dignity Funeral Plans, giving people peace of mind by allowing them to plan ahead.
The recently acquired Farewill, a leading provider of online wills and probate services.
Together, our goal is simple: to provide families with continuity, care, and clarity — from planning and preparation through to the funeral itself, and beyond.
FCA Statement
Please note that this role is subject to meeting regulatory requirements. As an FCA-regulated organisation, we are committed to adopting the highest standards and we do this by employing individuals with the appropriate skills, experience and integrity to protect both the company and our clients. If you are considered for a role, you will be providing your permission for us to conduct the relevant checks and assessments that will be carried out during the recruitment and onboarding process. The nature of the checks will depend on whether the role is subject to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR).
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion StatementOur Vision is to connect with our clients, colleagues, company and communities based on our principles whilst celebrating our differences.We aim to empower leaders and colleagues to seek out and understand new voices and perspectives; to be vocal about inequity and exclusion, and to take decisive, informed and bold action to promote inclusion and belonging.
Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable.
We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.
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Funeral Service Operative employer: Dignity PLC
Contact Detail:
Dignity PLC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Funeral Service Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the funeral service industry and its practices. Understanding the emotional aspects of the role will help you connect better with families during interviews, showcasing your empathy and compassion.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in customer service or roles that require a calm demeanour under pressure. This will demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive situations, which is crucial for a Funeral Service Operative.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your flexibility and reliability during the interview. Since the role requires working outside standard hours, showing that you are adaptable and willing to support families at all times will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Research S.A Bates Funeral Directors and their values. Being able to articulate why you want to work specifically with them and how you align with their mission will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Funeral Service Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Funeral Service Operative position. Understand the key responsibilities and the qualities they are looking for, such as empathy, reliability, and professionalism.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experiences and skills that align with the role. Emphasise any previous work that demonstrates your ability to handle sensitive situations and your commitment to providing compassionate service.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that reflects your understanding of the importance of the role. Share why you want to work in this field and how your values align with those of Dignity. Be sincere and show your passion for supporting families during difficult times.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in this line of work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dignity PLC
✨Show Empathy and Compassion
In this role, you'll be supporting families during a very sensitive time. Make sure to express your understanding of the emotional weight of the job and share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle such situations with care.
✨Demonstrate Professionalism
Dress appropriately for the interview, as first impressions matter. Present yourself in a professional manner, reflecting the dignity and respect that the role requires. This will show that you take the position seriously.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific scenarios related to the role, such as interacting with grieving families or managing physical tasks. Think through your responses in advance to showcase your problem-solving skills and calm demeanour.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, be prepared to ask questions that show your interest in the company and the role. Inquire about training opportunities, team dynamics, or how they support staff wellbeing. This demonstrates your commitment to being part of their compassionate team.
