Cemetery operative - Belfast BT5 (PLATJOB20230015)

Job Title : Cemetery operative

Location : Belfast BT5

Duration : One Month

Rate : £11.81 p/h

Hours : 37 hpw

-To be responsible to the Cemeteries and Crematorium Manager or other appropriate officer to undertake work in the cemeteries or crematorium, either individually or as part of a team.

-To undertake the full range of duties involved in cremations and burials in accordance with recognised Codes of Practice.

-To undertake a range of horticultural and gardening duties, as directed.

-To identify and take remedial action for headstone safety.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties

1.To carry out duties to ensure the smooth processing of the funeral from reception of the body, through the service for the dead, to the cremation or burial of the body.

2.To co-operate with the Senior Crematorium Technician or Community Parks Supervisor in the compilation of work schedules and report any requests for alterations to the same to the Senior Crematorium Technician or Community Parks Supervisor.

When undertaking cremation duties:

3.To carry out necessary checks before cremation on identification and to supervise the correct placing of the coffin onto the catafalque by the family or Funeral Directors.

4.To ensure safe operation and routine maintenance of cremators and auxiliary equipment such as fans, smoke indicators, reducing machine and catafalque etc including minor repairs and identifying and reporting any irregularities with equipment.

5.To store ashes prior to disposal, to check ashes for final disposal, to pack ashes for despatch and to remove metal objects from cremated remains. To dispose of cremated remains as instructed, including the burial and scattering of ashes in the cemetery.

6.To carry out minor clerical work including completion of ‘in house’ forms giving cremation details.

7.To clean and tidy cremator room, chapel, waiting room, Book of Remembrance Room and other areas within the Crematorium, and maintain the floral displays.

When undertaking chapel duties:

To check the daily list of services and ensure that the Chapel is prepared according to the type of service that will be conducted. To set out correctly the times of the services and the names of the deceased onto the daily information board.

Show the family mourners to their seats in the chapel and assist as required with the transfer of the coffin from the hearse to the catafalque and escort the mourners from the Chapel at the end of the service via the exit corridor and floral tributes hall.

To assist in the Funeral Service as placing, for example, making short announcements and pressing the committal button and to operate and coordinate different music formats, that is, CDs and other relevant media types, to meet the requirements of both the minister and family representatives during the funeral service.

When undertaking grave digging and gardening duties

To identify and check grave spaces and report irregularities to the Community Parks Supervisor and/or Cemetery Manager.

To excavate grave by use of appropriate tools, for example, shovels, spades and other tools including powered tools and plant such as mechanical excavator, Kango hammers, water pump to appropriate depth.

To receive coffin from undertaker and check documentation, to lower coffin into ground and to fill in and finish grave including placing of wreaths.

To undertake site preparation and constructional labouring.

To undertake maintenance of cemetery including sweeping, grass cutting, hedge trimming, turfing and seed sowing, planting and removal of litter and rubbish.

6.To carry out application of chemical pest control methods including calibration of sprayers and identification of a range of pests, diseases and weeds.

7.To operate appropriate plant / vehicles and to use powered hand tools and light plant relevant to cemetery and gardening operations and to ensure cleanliness of tools and any buildings.

8.To undertake the reinstatement of monuments and underground vaults.

9.To assist mourners and members of the public in locating graves and memorial trees, giving guidance where required and to maintain good relations with Ministers and Funeral Directors.

Experience

Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms, be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least one year’s relevant experience in each of the following areas:

commercial horticultural work, for example, grass cutting, hedge trimming, turfing and seed sowing, planting, sweeping, removal of litter and rubbish etc; and

dealing with members of the public in a tactful and sensitive manner, in a similar environment, for example, funeral parlour, cemetery, park, etc.

Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and a Corporate Member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and abide by the REC Code of Professional Practice. Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd adheres to all current employment legislation.
Please note only those candidates shortlisted may be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £11.81 per hour

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• commercial horticultural work: 1 year (required)
• Public Working: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person