Vacancy Introduction

Find out what it’s like to be part of our Funeral Team

Hear about our roles from our team, they will talk you through what it’s like to work for the East of England Co-op Funeral Services.

We have provided Funeral Services to clients and families across the East of England for over 90 years. Our Funeral Operatives are fundamental to the service we provide, given the important role they play throughout the deceased’s time in our care.

You recognise that our clients and families place their complete trust and confidence in us to deliver a faultless final tribute. You’ll take instructions from the Funeral Director, understanding the importance of your individual role as part of the wider ceremonial team on the day of the service.

You will demonstrate the same professional approach at other times too, including when you bring the deceased into our care, whilst supporting chapel viewings and during your liaison with our clients and families.

Whilst previous experience of Funerals would be desirable, this isn’t essential; we’re more interested in hearing from individuals who can demonstrate that they have the professionalism, empathy and people skills suited to this environment. 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

• Drive and/or bear on funeral services, supporting our client’s and family’s needs throughout
• To bring the deceased into our care from different locations / in varying circumstances
• Prepare the deceased for viewings and the funeral service
• Oversee chapel visits
• Maintain the cleanliness and high standard of our facilities and ceremonial vehicles
• Other support tasks, including preparing coffins, checking floral tributes and order of service, etc.

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 

• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional and empathetic approach
• A ‘team player’
• Attention to detail
• Professional standard of conduct and appearance
• Good knowledge of the local area
• A full UK manual driving licence

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
• 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.

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.

* Enhanced on statutory terms, subject to service criteria.

East of England Co-op