Vacancy Introduction

Come and join our team!

We have provided Funeral Services to clients and families across the East of England for over 90 years. Our Funeral Directors are so important to the service we provide, given their leading role in ensuring a faultless final tribute.

You recognise that our clients and families place their complete trust and confidence in us to deliver the service they’ve planned. As Funeral Director, you’ll liaise with the Funeral Co-ordinator, crematorium and cemetery staff, Ministers, etc. and lead the wider ceremonial team to ensure that this is realised. 

At all times, our priority is the care of our deceased and their families and loved ones. As a Funeral Director, you’ll hold a senior role within our operational teams, consistently demonstrating and driving high standards of care, service and compliance. 

We’re looking for someone with previous experience of working with Funeral Services, although, we’re happy to provide training and support if you haven’t conducted before. Equally important is that you’re able to demonstrate the professionalism, empathy and people skills needed to be a successful Funeral Director. We are truly local, so whatever experience you bring to this role, you can be reassured that you will be fully supported by nearby branches and Head Office colleagues, as well as your line manager.

Want to know more? Take a look at our job description for the role here.

Our working patterns are non-contractual. Any advertised working pattern represents the normal working pattern for the role at time of advertisement and may be subject to change.

What you’ll be doing

• Ensure that Funeral Services are conducted in accordance with clients’ and families’ wishes.
• To be the main point of contact for clients and families throughout the service, as well as providing direction and instruction to colleagues.
• Assist with all duties related to the care of our deceased, with particular responsibility for their care as they leave our Chapel.
• Support the development of other colleagues.
• Other support tasks, including maintaining the cleanliness and high standard of our facilities and ceremonial vehicles, overseeing chapel visits, etc.
• Engage with the local community, including crematoriums and cemeteries, to develop meaningful relationships and networks.

You may also be required to participate in an ‘out-of-hours’ on-call rota. The hiring manager will discuss this further should you be invited to attend an interview.

The person we are looking for 

• Previous experience of working within Funeral Services
• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional and empathetic approach
• A ‘team player’ with experience of leading colleagues
• Attention to detail
• Professional standard of conduct and appearance
• Good knowledge of the local area
• A full UK manual driving licence

If you’ve got a relevant professional qualification (e.g. NAFD), that would be great, but not essential.

Perks of the job

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
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements*
• Opportunities to grow, with award-winning training and apprenticeship programmes
• Great discounts, deals, and cashback across over 900 high street and online retailers
• Financial wellbeing support, including Wagestream®
• Access to Cycle To Work, Rental Deposit Scheme, and SmartTech (after a qualifying period)
• Employee Recognition Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Free remote GP service, available 24/7, including prescription, fitness, nutrition, and counselling services
• Employee Assistance Programme

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.

East of England Co-op