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Crematorium technician

Make sure cremations go smoothly so that bereaved families can say goodbye to their loved ones.

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£346

Entry level

£462

Experienced

Monthly

£1,500

Entry level

£2,000

Experienced

Yearly

£18,000

Entry level

£24,000

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 make sure that cremations go smoothly so that bereaved families can say goodbye to their loved ones and mourn their loss.

You’d do the practical tasks involved in cremations. You’d meet the families and sensitively guide them through the arrangements.

You would:

  • Clean and prepare the chapel before the funeral

  • Make sure the cremation equipment works safely

  • Receive coffins and check identities

  • Meet mourners as they arrive and escort them into the chapel

  • Operate the cremation equipment

  • Store the remains and follow the family’s wishes regarding what to do with the ashes

You’d be responsible for keeping accurate records. You’d ensure that the crematorium operates according to the legislation and regulations.

You’d make sure all the areas in and around the crematorium are clean and well maintained. You’d also guide visitors to memorials in the crematorium grounds.

Hours

You will usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but services sometimes also take place on Saturdays.

Environment

You will spend most of your time indoors, but may also help with grounds maintenance or supervise cemetery workers, which will mean being out in all weather conditions.

Explore more information about this job

Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:

Other careers that you might like

  • Cemetery worker
  • Funeral director
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Related industries

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    Top skills

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    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:

    • time management
    • taking initiative
    • attention to detail
    • respecting
    • empathising
    • verbal communication

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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:

    • Human Biology

    • Practical Craft Skills

    • Science

    There are no formal qualifications required to get into this role but some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5. Training is mainly on the job.

    The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) offers intermediate and advanced level Crematorium Technicians Training Scheme (SCQF level 5/6).

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