At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead burial and grounds maintenance duties with compassion and respect.
- Company: Southwark Bereavement Services, dedicated to sensitive community support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, diverse team, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to high-quality bereavement services.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a role that truly matters to families.
- Qualifications: Experience in care or local authority settings, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 € per year.
Southwark Bereavement Services manages three cemeteries and one crematorium, delivering respectful and sensitive services for the bereaved. As a Cemetery Operative, you will undertake and lead on a wide variety of burial, exhumation, and grounds maintenance duties. You will play a vital role in preparing graves, maintaining memorial safety, and ensuring the highest standards of health and safety compliance in line with statutory legislation and local regulations.
Key Responsibilities
- Preparing and excavating graves, verifying plot numbers, installing and removing shoring equipment, and reinstating sites after services.
- Carrying out burial and exhumation duties, including reuse of burial sites as part of sustainability programmes.
- Maintaining memorial safety through inspections and accurate record keeping.
- Operating and carrying out pre-use inspections on heavy plant and machinery (e.g. excavators, dumpers, lorries).
- Delivering landscaping and grounds maintenance including turfing, grass cutting, hedge trimming, and general upkeep.
- Supporting funerals and working sensitively with families, funeral directors, ministers, stonemasons, and contractors.
- Contributing to public events, annual memorial services, and official visits.
About You
We are looking for someone who is organised, compassionate, and committed to delivering excellent customer service in sensitive environments.
You Will
- Organise plans and prioritise workloads effectively.
- Be flexible and responsive to the needs of the service.
- Work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Identify problems and produce practical, innovative solutions.
- Communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, with residents, senior officers, members, and community representatives.
- Have experience within a bereavement, care-related, local authority, or similar environment.
- Demonstrate understanding of health and safety requirements and safe working practices.
- Actively promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in service delivery.
About The Team
You will join a dedicated team within the Parks & Natural Environment Division, committed to delivering high-quality, customer-focused and sensitive bereavement services. Our culture is built on respect, professionalism, teamwork, and pride in maintaining spaces that matter deeply to our communities. We work closely with residents, community groups, charities, and partner organisations to promote active participation and engagement.
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.
Contact Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sam Rees at sam.rees@southwark.gov.uk.
Additional Information
Role will require working in multiple locations.
Benefits And More Information
For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.
Recruitment timetable
Advert close date: 11:59 pm on 23rd March 2026. Shortlisting date/s: 25th March 2026. Interview date/s: 1st April 2026. The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or have a long‑term health condition.
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
We are an organisation that is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is required to provide the best possible services to our communities. We especially welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council. Our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackling racial inequality in our communities and workforce is demonstrated through our Southwark Stands Together programme.
Cemeteries Operative employer: Southwark Council
Southwark Bereavement Services is an exemplary employer, offering a compassionate and respectful work environment for those dedicated to serving the bereaved. With a strong emphasis on teamwork, professionalism, and community engagement, employees benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises personal growth and development. The role of Cemetery Operative not only provides meaningful work but also includes access to a variety of employee benefits, ensuring a fulfilling career in a vital public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cemeteries Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Southwark Bereavement Services. Understanding their values and how they operate will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to the role of a Cemetery Operative. Think about how your past experiences align with the responsibilities listed in the job description, especially around customer service and teamwork.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your compassion! This role requires sensitivity, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled difficult situations with care. Highlighting your ability to work with bereaved families will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on our site. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll find all the info you need to ace the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Cemeteries Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Cemetery Operative. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Your Compassion:Since this role involves working in sensitive environments, it's important to convey your compassion and understanding in your written application. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle delicate situations with care.
Be Clear and Professional:Communication is key! Ensure your application is well-structured and free of errors. A clear and professional tone will help us see that you can communicate effectively with residents and team members alike.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure your application reaches us promptly and you’ll have access to all the necessary information about the role and our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Council
✨Know Your Role
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of a Cemetery Operative. Understand the processes involved in preparing graves, maintaining memorial safety, and operating heavy machinery. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Show Compassion and Sensitivity
Since this role involves working closely with bereaved families, it's crucial to convey your compassion during the interview. Share examples from your past experiences where you've handled sensitive situations with care and professionalism. This will show that you understand the emotional aspects of the job.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
Being organised is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you prioritise workloads and manage multiple tasks effectively. You might want to provide specific examples of how you've successfully organised projects or events in the past, especially in challenging environments.
✨Demonstrate Health and Safety Knowledge
Make sure you’re up to speed on health and safety regulations relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your work, particularly when operating machinery or conducting burial and exhumation duties. This will show that you take safety seriously and are prepared for the responsibilities of the position.
