Apprentice Funeral Service Operative

Crake and Mallon Funeral Service
STOCKTON ON TEES (TS18 2BU)
Closes in 24 days (Friday 23 October 2026)
Posted on 28 September 2026

Summary

Join Crake and Mallon as an Apprentice Funeral Service Operative and play a vital role supporting bereaved families in the Teesside community. Working alongside our dedicated operations team, you will gain hands-on experience in funeral operations, vehicle care, and customer service while building a rewarding, lifelong career.

Wage
£26,436.80 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Standard pay rate is £12.71 per hour (£26,436.80 per year based on a 40-hour working week). Additional payments and allowances apply for taking part in the mandatory out-of-hours on-call rota.

Training

Training course
Funeral team member (level 2)

Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 5:00pm. Participation in an on-call rota is required (minimum 90 nights per year), plus additional holiday cover and out-of-hours removals/Chapel of Rest visits when needed.
40 hours a week
Start date
Friday 6 November 2026
Duration
1 year
Positions available
2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Assisting in the preparation, lining, and dressing of coffins
• Carrying out removals of the deceased from private homes, nursing homes, and hospitals
• Assisting with Coroners' removals when required
• Driving funeral vehicles, carrying out bearing duties, and transporting ministers
• Daily cleaning, maintenance, and preparation of funeral vehicles
• Meeting, assisting, and welcoming bereaved families and visitors at the Chapel of Rest
• Supporting the funeral directing team with operational duties and documentation delivery
• Participating in the out-of-hours on-call rota for removals and family visits

Where you'll work

45 NORTON ROAD
STOCKTON ON TEES
TS18 2BU

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider
THE OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER LTD

Training course
Funeral team member (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
Client: Use appropriate methods of communication including non-verbal, verbal, written and social media. Use clear language in all communication, verbal and written, seeking help when it is required.
Client: Use clear, relevant and empathetic communication to establish clients’ needs and satisfy their requirements. Deliver excellent service during all interactions, including phone, face-to-face, electronic and postal communications.
Client: Apply business policies and procedures to handle client concerns, complaints and compliments. Deal with client feedback within the limits of your own authority, sharing positive comments, escalating negative comments and finding solutions where possible.
Reputation: Operate within the business values when dealing with clients and team members in all daily activities.
Reputation: Engage in professional relationships with clients, communities and other stakeholders in order to help build a positive public reputation. Report any instance where the reputation of the business could be / has been damaged.
Reputation: Use technology including social media in line with business requirements.
Team: Support team members to ensure that the services provided are of a high quality, delivered on time and as required.
Team: Adapt positively to all types of team leaders, team members and different types of team within the business in which you work.
Legal & Governance: Comply with legal and business requirements whilst conducting all services. Follow business policies and procedures relating to third party locations of the deceased, identification, release of ashes, personal effects, notifiable diseases and specialist services.
Personal Development & Performance: Take ownership for own learning development and performance. Carry out personal development activities. Identify your own learning styles.
Products & Services: Take a proactive approach to providing clients with product and service information within your area of responsibility. Offer information and assistance with specialist services and products.
Arranging: Arrange, plan and assist in visits to the deceased, ensuring client’s needs are respected at all times. Arrange at need or pre need funerals according to clients requirements, maintaining accurate records of all products and services ordered. Complete, discuss and agree client contracts efficiently and according to business guidelines. Gather and collate feedback from clients using the businesses approved systems and communication methods.
Administration/Finance: Access and use systems accurately, efficiently and within legislation requirements. Maintain precise records of all products and services purchased by clients. Ensure the timely receipt of payments and finance agreements.
Maintain & Drive Vehicles: Follow relevant legislation, codes of practice and business standards for driving, maintaining and cleaning business vehicles. Use pre-arranged routes when driving business vehicles during funeral services and alternative routes when necessary reporting issues with routes to the appropriate person.
Care of the Deceased: Transfer the deceased using correct techniques and maintaining client and business requirements. Assist in the preparation and presentation of the coffin and the deceased.
Funeral: Attend funeral briefings and use information to assist in the delivery of the funeral. Handle coffins and floral tributes safely and respectfully at all times. Carry out allocated duties with dignity and respect to ensure the smooth running of the funeral.