Funeral Director

Position:
Funeral Director

Location:
Oliver and James Funeral Directors, Abingdon

Job Type:
38.33 Hours per week, 12-month Fixed Term Contract

Salary:
£29,644 per annum

We're looking for an experienced and compassionate individual to join our team as a Funeral Director at Oliver and James. You'll oversee funeral operations and ensure every service is delivered to the highest standard, while supporting families through one of life's most challenging moments. As a representative of both the local brand and the wider Dignity Group, you'll also play an important role in engaging with the local community and building trusted relationships.

Why This Role Matters
At Dignity, we believe that every farewell should be handled with compassion, dignity, and care. Your role will ensure that families feel supported, respected, and reassured every step of the way.

The Role
As a Funeral Director, you'll lead on the day of the funeral, coordinating teams and managing all aspects of service delivery. You will act as a guide for families, a leader to colleagues, and a representative of Dignity's values within your community. As a representative of both your local branch and the wider Dignity Group, you'll help maintain our trusted presence in the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and conduct funeral services in a dignified, respectful, and professional manner
• Support families with empathy and guidance throughout the funeral process
• Coordinate with arrangers, operatives, ministers/celebrants, and venues to ensure smooth execution of services
• Ensure funeral vehicles, staff, and ceremonial elements are prepared and meet required standards
• Oversee funeral logistics on the day, including timings, team direction, and venue setup
• Assist with coffin preparation, handling of the deceased, and chapel duties where required
• Provide leadership and mentoring to less experienced team members
• Support with local community engagement and promotion of the brand you represent
• Uphold health and safety, compliance, and professional standards at all times

About You
We're looking for someone who:

• Experienced in funeral service operations and conducting funerals
• Demonstrates excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills
• Calm under pressure with a respectful, compassionate approach to service
• Physically capable of manual handling tasks, including coffin bearing
• Comfortable with direct contact with the deceased in varying circumstances
• Holds a Full UK Driving Licence (essential)
• Willing to work flexibly, including weekends and on-call duties as required

What We Offer

• A meaningful role supporting families when they need it most
• Full training and development, including Funeral Plan Consultancy
• Uniform and all necessary equipment provided
• days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Company pension, employee assistance programme, and life assurance

We wouldn't be able to provide this essential service without our people. If you'd like to be part of a compassionate team dedicated to delivering the highest standards of care — we'd love to hear from you.

What are the next steps?
If this sounds like the next step in your career and you're ready to support families and lead with professionalism, simply hit the 'apply' button. A member of our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.

About Us
We are Dignity, one of the UK's oldest and most trusted funeral providers, with over 200 years of history, 570 branches, and 46 crematoria. From launching the UK's first funeral plan to helping shape modern regulation, we have led the way in supporting families with care, compassion, and professionalism.

Now we are building the UK's leading end of life company. As part of the Dignity Group, we also operate Farewill, the country's largest will writer and one of the UK's top probate providers, giving families support not just at the funeral, but before and after as well.

Today we are over 4,000 people across the UK, all driven by the same goal: to care for families with compassion and make the UK a world leader in end of life care. Here to help, whenever you need.

FCA Statement
We're regulated by the FCA, so some roles may be subject to background checks

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We know that diverse teams make better decisions, build better products, and create a better place to work. Whoever you are, wherever you're from, and whatever your life looks like, we'd love to hear from you. And if there's anything you need to make the process more accessible, please let us know

Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable.
We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.