At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families during sensitive moments and deliver meaningful services with compassion.
- Company: Join Dignity, a trusted funeral provider with over 200 years of history.
- Benefits: Earn £13.40 per hour, enjoy generous holiday allowance, and access professional development.
- Other info: Flexible hours, comprehensive training, and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives during their most challenging times.
- Qualifications: Empathy, professionalism, and a Full UK Driving Licence are essential; no prior experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 27800 - 27800 € per year.
Location: J Rymer Funeral Directors, Monkgate - York
Job Type: Part-time, permanent - minimum 10 hours per week
Salary: £13.40 per hour plus on-call payments
We’re looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at our J Rymer Funeral Directors, Monkgate 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.
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 and dignity, understanding the privilege it is to undertake the work you do.
- 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)
- Maintain 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
Skills and Knowledge…
We’re looking for someone with/is:
- 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…
- 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.
What are the next steps?
To join us in this role, hit the 'apply' button to submit your application, and a member of our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch!
About Us
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.
FCA Statement
The FCA regulates us so that some roles may be subject to background checks.
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’re from, and whatever your life looks like, we’d love to hear from you. And if there’s anything you need to make the process more accessible, please let us know.
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 the number of applications received, to close or extend the closing dates for positions; therefore, we recommend submitting your application early.
Funeral Service Operative in York employer: Dignity
At Dignity, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and compassionate work environment for our Funeral Service Operatives in York. With a strong focus on professional development, generous holiday allowances, and a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme, we ensure our employees feel valued and empowered to grow in their roles. Join us in making a meaningful impact during life's most sensitive moments, while enjoying the benefits of working with one of the UK's oldest and most trusted funeral providers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Funeral Service Operative in York
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure you research J Rymer Funeral Directors and understand their values. When you know what they stand for, you can tailor your approach during interviews to show how you align with their mission of compassion and dignity.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your interview skills! We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on demonstrating your empathy and professionalism, as these are key traits they’re looking for in a Funeral Service Operative.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! First impressions matter, especially in such a sensitive role. Show up in professional attire that reflects the dignity of the position and the respect you have for the families you'll be supporting.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Funeral Service Operative in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compassion:When writing your application, let your empathy shine through. This role is all about supporting families during tough times, so share any experiences that highlight your caring nature.
Be Professional and Respectful:Make sure your application reflects the professionalism we value at Dignity. Use a respectful tone and ensure your spelling and grammar are spot on – it shows you take this seriously!
Highlight Relevant Skills:Even if you don’t have direct funeral experience, focus on skills that relate to the role. Talk about your ability to handle pressure, work with care, and maintain high standards in everything you do.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to hit that 'apply' button on our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and makes it into the right hands.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dignity
✨Understand the Role's Sensitivity
Before your interview, take some time to reflect on the emotional weight of the Funeral Service Operative role. Think about how you can convey your empathy and compassion during the interview, as these qualities are crucial in supporting grieving families.
✨Showcase Your Reliability
Since this position requires flexibility and reliability, be prepared to discuss examples from your past where you've demonstrated these traits. Whether it’s being on time for shifts or going the extra mile for someone in need, share those stories to highlight your dependability.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your comfort level with manual handling and working directly with the deceased. It’s a good idea to think about how you would handle various scenarios, such as transporting the deceased or preparing them for viewing, and articulate your approach clearly.
✨Dress Professionally and Dignified
First impressions matter, especially in a role that demands respect and professionalism. Make sure to dress appropriately for the interview, reflecting the dignified nature of the work. This shows that you understand the importance of presentation in this sensitive field.
