Funeral Arranger reference: 1058199

Review: Funeral Arranger Opportunity at Co-op - A Rewarding Path in Community Service

This opportunity for a part-time Funeral Arranger at Co-op in Ferryhill presents a compelling and fulfilling career path for individuals with a strong desire to support their community during challenging times. The role offers a unique blend of direct community impact, comprehensive training, and attractive benefits, making it a standout prospect for those seeking meaningful work.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• No Prior Experience Necessary: A significant advantage is the explicit statement that "No experience needed." This opens the door to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds who may not have directly worked in the funeral industry but possess the core transferable skills. Co-op's commitment to providing "full training and ongoing support" ensures that successful candidates will be well-equipped for the role.
• Meaningful Community Impact: The core of this role is about helping families navigate one of life's most difficult periods. The description highlights the satisfaction of "help[ing] families say the perfect goodbye to loved ones" and the knowledge that you "make a huge difference to your community." This intrinsic reward is a powerful motivator for many.
• Flexible Part-Time Schedule: With 20 hours per week spread across varied 4-hour shifts between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday, this role offers excellent flexibility. This is ideal for individuals looking to balance work with other commitments, such as family, education, or personal pursuits, while still contributing significantly.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Co-op's commitment to its employees is evident in its extensive benefits. Beyond a competitive hourly rate of £13.01, candidates can expect:
  • Generous employee discounts on Co-op branded products (30%) and other brands (10%) in food stores.
  • Pro-rata holiday entitlement of 23 days, increasing with service.
  • A robust pension scheme with up to 10% employer contributions.
  • Access to support services like an Employee Assistance Programme, virtual GP, and free eye tests.
  • Financial wellness tools such as Wagestream, providing access to earned pay before payday.
  • "Endless career development opportunities including apprenticeships," indicating a commitment to employee growth and progression within the organisation.
• Inclusive and Supportive Environment: Co-op emphasizes its commitment to building "diverse teams" and "inclusive work environments." They actively welcome applications from everyone and are part of the Disability Confident scheme, ensuring fair treatment and offering reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. This signals a culture that values individual contributions and fosters a sense of belonging.
• Streamlined Application Process: The mention of applying "on your mobile in a few simple steps – no CV needed" suggests a modern, accessible, and time-efficient application process, removing potential barriers for interested candidates.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Nature of the Work: The role involves direct interaction with grieving families, requiring a high degree of empathy, discretion, and care. Candidates must be comfortable with emotional situations and possess excellent communication skills.
• Manual Handling: The job description explicitly mentions "support with manual handling of coffins and the deceased." While full training will be provided, candidates should be physically capable of performing these tasks.
• Responsibility and Autonomy: As a "non-certified funeral arranger," you will be a key point of contact and may be "the only one in branch" at times. This requires a responsible individual who can manage the funeral home independently and know when to refer regulated tasks to a certified colleague.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Be prepared for pre-employment screening, which includes DBS checks, adverse media checks, an occupational health questionnaire, and social media activity checks. This is standard practice for roles involving trust and community interaction.
• Commitment to Service: Success in this role hinges on a "passion for delivering great service and building relationships." Candidates who thrive on helping others and are detail-oriented will find this particularly rewarding.

In conclusion, this Funeral Arranger position at Co-op is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to your community, develop new skills in a supportive environment, and benefit from a robust employment package. If you possess empathy, strong communication abilities, and a desire to make a positive difference, this role is certainly worth exploring for your career advancement.