• Advertised Salary: Â£9.73 + on call
• Function: Funeralcare
• Location: Lancing Support Centre
• Postcode: BN15 8TH
• Job Number: 10377
• Contract Type: Temporary
• Full/Part Time: Part Time
• Total Contracted Hours: 00.00

Our funeral services play an important role in local communities, extending beyond the immediate needs of arranging funeral services, and supporting the bereaved at a very emotional time in their life.

This is a unique role and takes a special kind of person. If you take pride in what you do, and are passionate about helping people, we’ll support you in your on-going career development.

The opportunity

This Casual Funeral Assistant role is based at our Lancing support centre with travel through the local area. Due to the nature of this kind of work, this could be a role that fits around your schedule however you will ideally be available for a 10 + hours per week and available between the hours of 8am 4.30pm + on call rota hours.

Whenever you are required, you will always be paid a minimum of 3 hours even if you have only been needed for 30 mins.

As a Casual Funeral Assistant you’ll join our bank staff and take responsibility for the deceased whilst they’re in our care. You will predominantly be driving ceremonial vehicles and transport to start with whilst you complete further training.

After full training is completed this is a very varied role and you’ll assist in the collection of the deceased using our private ambulances, preparation and care of the deceased so they are ready for the family to spend cherished last moments with them, through to driving our ceremonial vehicles and acting as a bearer at funeral services.

You will then be expected to join a once weekly on call rota - £17.50 per night (double payment if at the weekend/Bank holiday). Each call out is paid at £32 (£36 on Sundays & Bank holidays). On-going training and personal development is available.

Key Responsibilities

• In this physically demanding role you’ll collect the deceased and take them to rest at one of our funeral homes. In some cases when collecting the deceased there may be challenging locations and circumstances.
• Drive our vehicles with pride and care, whilst maintaining our fleet, ensuring they are in a pristine condition for each funeral.
• Help to dress and prepare the deceased, including preparing for viewing and placing the deceased into the coffin or casket dressed.
• Ensure that premises are cleaned to the required standard.
• Act as a pall bearer on all types of funerals and removals.
• Support our local communities, building strong relationships, whilst acting as a trusted ambassador for our funeral care services

Key Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• You’ll be lifting and carrying the deceased in a range of environments, so you’ll need to be physically fit to do this.
• High attention to detail, understanding that we only get one opportunity to deliver a perfect and unique funeral tribute.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Empathetic with a caring nature.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure.
• We operate an on-call service, so you’ll need to be able to work your hours flexibly, including providing cover for holidays, sickness and busy periods.
• Full driving licence is required.

Please note the services you will provide will be on a casual basis from time to time, when the need arises and your name will be added to our list of casual/bank workers. Regular work is available.

About us

Southern Co-op has been providing funeral care and support services across the south coast for over 75 years. We have over 50 funeral homes, 2 crematoriums, a natural burial ground and qualified councillors at our bereavement support centre who support our colleagues and families.

Many of our Managers have progressed up through the business and we take pride in developing our people.

It’s a big responsibility when arranging funeral services, and one that should never be treated lightly. It’s tough, and calls for a high level of understanding, empathy and compassion. That said, this is a truly rewarding role and our team are extremely passionate about providing quality and the best service for our families.