Vacancy Introduction

Our Associate Funeral Directors are responsible for advising on, and administering, all aspects of our funeral services. They are able to step in and conduct funerals in the absence of the Funeral Director, whilst at other times, working to ensure that all other operational tasks are completed.

Role Responsibility

Accountability 1 – Service

Provide a professional service to clients, advising on funeral services, pre-payment plans, masonry and ancillary services. This advice will need to adapt based on the client and their needs, whilst upholding business aims.

Carry out all necessary duties to ensure that each funeral ‘goes to plan’. This will include the completion of internal and statutory paperwork, liaison with third parties (such as Crematoriums, Ministers, Doctors, etc.), pre-funeral checks, etc.

To conduct funeral services at a variety of locations, as required. To be the point of contact for clients and families throughout the service, as well as to colleagues, who will need relevant direction and/or instruction.

When conducting a funeral, to be responsible for the route the cortege follows, ensure that the hearse is stocked and that all relevant paperwork required for the service is available.

When conducting a funeral, to be responsible for all final checks and adherence to procedures, including the identification of the deceased, as well as the presentation of the funeral team and vehicles.

Prepare and dress the deceased, including moving them to rest in their coffin.

Where families/clients have requested to do so, co-ordinate and support visits in-branch, or at the local Chapel of Rest.

To bring the deceased in to our care, sometimes in challenging circumstances. Ensure that at this point, as well as throughout the deceased’s time in our care, relevant identification checks and procedures are adhered to, (including the safeguarding of personal effects).

Fulfil all office duties, including ‘back of house’ administrative tasks, updating the funeral administration system, financial administration, managing telephone enquiries and booking appointments.

Accountability 2 – Standards & Compliance

To be responsible for the cleanliness and hygiene of the premises, including back of house (including the garage, transit, preparation and mortuary areas).

To demonstrate a professional standard of appearance and service at all times, towards families/clients, congregations, crematorium staff, cemetery staff, Ministers, etc.

Ensure that the branch is always of a high standard of appearance and is sufficiently stocked (e.g. information leaflets).

Look to engage with the local community. Build strong relationships with stakeholders, developing opportunities to grow the business and its reputation.

Ensure that compliance with statutory and Society processes and guidelines is upheld at all times, including those relating to lone-working and health and safety.

When in branch, ensure that this is always of a high standard of appearance and is sufficiently stocked with all relevant leaflets and information. Ensure all posters and displays are correct and up to date.

Additional Requirements:

• To be comfortable with ‘lone-working’.
• Flexibility to cover other branches, as required.
• To work flexibly as part of an out of hours duty team/rota.
• To have a good knowledge of the local area(s).

The Ideal Candidate

• Full driving license
• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional and empathetic approach
• Able to work well as part of a team, as well as independently under own initiative
• Attention to detail (in work, as well as own conduct and presentation)
• Previous experience of working within funeral services
• Previous experience of conducting funerals
• Previous experience of leading a team

Package Description

What’s in it for you

At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential. How do we do this?  

• Competitive rates of pay
• 20% discount in our food stores, along with other discounts across our family of businesses
• 22 days holiday (plus bank holiday entitlement) which increases with service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Death in service benefit
• Access to our colleague communications app, The Loop
• Enhanced* family leave and pay arrangements
• Opportunities to grow, with award-winning training and apprenticeship programmes
• Great deals and discounts across 100’s of high street and online retailers
• Financial wellbeing support, including Wagestream®

Check out the detail of all our colleague benefits here.

* Enhanced on statutory terms, subject to service criteria.

We recognise the challenges people face trying to balance commitments both in and out of the workplace -  perhaps studying, caring commitments, or other employment. We therefore aim to be as flexible as possible, to create shift patterns that work for both our co-op and our colleagues.

About the Company

The East of England Co-op is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia, with over 230 stores and branches across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.

Owned by over 260,000 members – including our colleagues – our vision is to be the most valued organisation in our region, by being a better kind of business and using our profit to make a positive impact on our communities.

Our Community Cares Fund provides hundreds of thousands of pounds to support groups and good causes, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing, food justice for all and creating community spaces. 

With a focus on environmental sustainability, we’re proud to have led the way on reducing food waste, being the first major retailer to sell food past its Best Before date for just 10p. 

At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential, whether in food retail, funeral services, property investment, travel, security, stonemasonry, events, or our support functions. 

Find out more at www.eastofengland.coop

Our Recruitment Process

If this is the job for you, simply click ‘apply’. You will be required to register a profile on our careers page. To do this simply click apply. The good news is you’ll only have to register once – after this, it’ll be easier and quicker to apply for any roles in the future too.

Please note that our working patterns are non-contractual. The advertised working pattern represents the normal working pattern for the role at time of advertisement and is subject to change.

East of England Co-op