Funeral Service Crew - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract reference: 1060009

Career Opportunity Review: Funeral Service Crew (6-Month Fixed Term Contract)

This review offers a comprehensive overview of the Funeral Service Crew position at Co-op, designed to assist prospective candidates in evaluating this opportunity and making informed career decisions. As part of a significant cooperative movement with a strong community focus, this role offers a unique chance to contribute meaningfully while developing valuable skills.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Meaningful Work: This role is centered around providing support and facilitating the final farewells for grieving families. It offers a profound sense of purpose and the satisfaction of making a genuine difference in the community.
• Comprehensive Training & Support: Crucially, no prior experience in the funeral industry is required. Co-op provides full training and ongoing support, ensuring you are well-equipped to handle all aspects of the role safely and professionally.
• Competitive Compensation & Benefits: A competitive hourly rate of £12.79 is offered, alongside an attractive benefits package. This includes:
  • 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 a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support.
  • Health benefits such as virtual GP services and free eye tests.
  • Financial wellness tools like Wagestream, allowing access to earned pay.
• Career Development: Co-op emphasizes personal and professional growth, offering opportunities for apprenticeships and other avenues for career advancement within the organization.
• Inclusive & Supportive Environment: Co-op is committed to building diverse and inclusive teams, fostering a friendly and supportive work atmosphere. They actively welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing equal opportunities.
• Flexible Application Process: The application process is streamlined, allowing for mobile applications with no CV required, and includes an online assessment that takes approximately 20 minutes.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Contract Duration: This is a 6-month fixed-term contract, which is an important factor for candidates seeking long-term employment or specific career progression timelines.
• Part-Time Hours & Schedule: The role is part-time, with set hours of 18.75 per week, Monday to Friday, between 8 am and 8 pm. Flexibility within this window will be expected, as part of the role involves being part of an on-call rota.
• Physical Demands: The role involves manual lifting and carrying of coffins, requiring the ability to perform these physical aspects safely. While full training and equipment are provided, candidates should be comfortable with such tasks.
• Driving Requirements: A full, manual UK driving licence is a mandatory requirement for this position.
• Emotional Resilience: Candidates must possess a calm, compassionate, and empathetic approach, with strong customer service skills suitable for dealing with individuals in emotional circumstances.
• IT Proficiency: Good IT skills are necessary for maintaining client management applications and learning new systems.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Successful candidates will undergo background checks, including a DBS check, adverse media checks, an occupational health questionnaire, and social media activity checks. Any employment offer is conditional upon the satisfactory completion of these checks.

Guidance for Career Path:

This Funeral Service Crew position offers a valuable entry point into the funeral care industry, with the strong backing of a well-respected organization. For individuals looking to:

• Gain foundational skills in a compassionate industry: The comprehensive training and supportive environment make this an ideal role for those new to the sector.
• Develop practical skills: You will gain hands-on experience in vehicle operation, equipment maintenance, preparation, and client record-keeping.
• Contribute to their local community: This role directly impacts the lives of people in your community during times of significant need.
• Explore further opportunities within Co-op: The emphasis on career development suggests potential for growth within the wider Co-op organization for motivated individuals.

Candidates considering this role should weigh the rewarding nature of the work against the fixed-term contract and the physical and emotional demands. It's an excellent opportunity for those seeking to make a tangible difference and gain unique experience within a reputable and ethically-driven company.