At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families during difficult times and assist in funeral arrangements.
- Company: Southern Co-op is a community-focused independent co-operative in southern England.
- Benefits: Full training provided, flexible casual hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Shifts include evenings, weekends, and on-call duties; resilience and empathy are key.
- Why this job: Join a compassionate team and gain valuable experience while supporting local communities.
- Qualifications: Must be over 25 with a full UK driving licence; no prior experience needed.
We’re offering an exciting opportunity to deliver the best end of life care, support, and experience to the deceased and their families at their time of need. As a Funeral Service Operative you’ll assist in the smooth delivery of funerals, from collection, transportation, and preparation of the deceased, through to driving our vehicles and acting as a conductor or bearer. This is a physically and emotionally demanding role.
You’ll need a full UK driving license (valid for both manual and automatic vehicles) and for insurance purposes you must be over 25.
Shifts will be worked on a casual basis, when the need arises. These will be worked Monday to Friday and you’ll be required to work on call and out of hours as part of our on call rota (evenings, weekends, overnight).
What you’ll get…
- 20% colleague discount in our retail shops
- Health & dental cash plans
- 24/7 virtual GP & fitness discounts via Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Life insurance & NEST pension
- Financial wellbeing tools
- Cycle-to-work & Electric Vehicle schemes
- Training & development opportunities
What to expect…
- Collecting the deceased and bringing them into our care. This may involve challenging locations and circumstances.
- Helping dress and prepare the deceased, including preparing for viewing and placing the deceased into the coffin or casket.
- Driving our vehicles and ensuring all are in a pristine condition for each funeral.
- Acting as a bearer.
- Supporting our local communities and acting as a trusted ambassador for our funeral care services.
- This role will involve manual handling.
What we’re looking for…
- Excellent communication & listening skills.
- Can demonstrate resilience and work under pressure.
- High level of understanding, empathy, and compassion.
Training…
- Previous experience within the funeral industry is not required as we’ll provide full training.
- Travel to other sites will be required.
About Us…
We’re an independent Co-op, operating across the south of England running convenience food stores, funeral homes, crematoria, natural/woodland burial grounds and a Starbucks coffee franchise. We’re owned by our 300,000+ members, have over 4,000 colleagues and a purpose of working together for the benefit of our communities. We have a commitment to sustainable business and a promise to provide a fair, fresh approach, for all. Become part of the family who are proud to serve local communities and put people first.
Successful candidates will undergo a DBS check as part of compliance requirements.
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Funeral Service Operative - Casual Hours in Christchurch employer: Southern Co-op
Southern Co-op in Emsworth is an excellent employer that values community engagement and offers a supportive work environment for its employees. With benefits like a 20% colleague discount and clear pathways for career advancement, you will not only contribute to the local community but also grow personally and professionally in a rewarding role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Funeral Service Operative - Casual Hours in Christchurch
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the funeral service industry. Understanding the emotional and practical aspects of the role will help you connect with the team and demonstrate your commitment to compassionate care during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in customer service or roles that require empathy and resilience. This can show that you possess the necessary skills to support families during difficult times, which is crucial for this position.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your availability and flexibility. Since the role involves casual hours and on-call duties, showing that you can adapt to varying schedules will make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Southern Co-op's values and community involvement. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs can set you apart and demonstrate your genuine interest in working with them.
We think you need these skills to ace Funeral Service Operative - Casual Hours in Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Funeral Service Operative. This will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you don't have direct experience in the funeral industry, think about any roles where you've demonstrated empathy, resilience, or worked under pressure. Make sure to include these examples in your CV and cover letter.
Craft a Compassionate Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that reflects your understanding of the emotional demands of the role. Share why you want to support families during difficult times and how your values align with those of Southern Co-op.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in this sensitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Co-op
✨Show Empathy and Compassion
Given the nature of the role, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to empathise with grieving families. Share any relevant experiences where you've provided support or care to others, as this will highlight your suitability for the position.
✨Highlight Your Resilience
This job can be emotionally demanding, so be prepared to discuss how you handle stress and challenging situations. Provide examples of times when you've remained calm under pressure, as this will reassure the interviewers of your capability.
✨Discuss Your Availability
Since the role involves casual hours and on-call duties, make sure to clarify your availability during the interview. Being flexible with your schedule can be a significant advantage, so express your willingness to work evenings, weekends, and overnights.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company and the role. Inquire about the training process, team dynamics, and how they support their staff. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
