Cemetery worker
Prepare graves so bereaved families can say goodbye to their loved one at a funeral. Keep the cemetery tidy for when people visit to remember the person.
Also known as: grave digger, bereavement and environmental services operative
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£327
Entry level
£481
Experienced
Monthly
£1,417
Entry level
£2,083
Experienced
Yearly
£17,000
Entry level
£25,000
Experienced
1,600
people are currently employed
Low growth
100 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would prepare graves so families can say goodbye to their loved one at a funeral.
You’d look after the cemetery so it is tidy and pleasant when people visit in later months and years to remember the person.
You’d work outdoors to maintain the grounds at cemeteries and crematoriums. You’d respectfully tend the graves and memorial sites so families know that they are always cared for.
You would:
Measure and mark out the spaces for graves
Use a mechanical excavator and hand tools to dig graves
Prop up the sides of the grave with timber, using hydraulic equipment
Keep the cemetery and graves tidy
Check headstones for damage and remove those that are not safe
Cut and trim the lawns, verges and plants
You’d work with other funeral and cemetery staff including:
Crematorium technicians
Cemetery inspectors and superintendents
Council officials
General gardening staff
Hours
Environment
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- managing resources
- attention to detail
- respecting
- empathising
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
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Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Skills for Work: Practical Experiences: Construction and Engineering
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role; personal qualities are more important than academic.
Qualifications and experience in construction or gardening.
You usually have to be able to drive or ride on machinery, for example, a mower.
A full driving licence is usually required.
A licence with Categories B1E and C1E may be required and a JCB certificate is an advantage or be willing to gain a JCB Certificate once in work.
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