Cemetery Worker

A cemetery worker digs graves and is also responsible for the general maintenance of the cemetery.

The Work

You could be:

• measuring and marking out the grave space


• digging the grave either with a mechanical digger or a hand spade


• using hydraulic equipment and water pumps


• propping up the inside walls of the grave with wood


• after the service, filling in the grave


• regularly checking the headstones in the cemetery for damage and removing any which are unsafe


• cleaning and maintaining machinery


• looking after the grass and plants around the cemetery


• using equipment such as mowers and strimmers.

Conditions

• Some cemetery workers work from 9.00am - 4.00pm, but for others the day starts as early as 7.30am.


• Some cemeteries have burials on Saturdays.


• You do a lot of climbing and bending.


• You will get dirty.


• You will wear a protective overall.


• You work outdoors in all weather – wind, rain, sun or snow.


• You might be using heavy machinery and chemicals.


• The work is physically heavy, not only the digging, but working with headstones.

Getting In

• Personal qualities are more important than educational qualifications.


• You usually have to be able to drive ride on machinery such as mowers.


• For some jobs you may need a full driving licence.


• Jobs are with the local authority or with privately owned cemeteries.


• Vacancies appear in newspapers and on the local government website: www.myjobscotland.gov.uk.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• polite and respectful


• able to work alone or as part of a small team


• physically fit


• interested in gardening.

Training

• Your employer will arrange on-the-job training in how to use mechanical digging equipment and in gardening.


• The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) offer a Cemetery Operatives Training Scheme. The institute also offers a diploma which includes a module in cemetery management.


• A Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme is also available through the ICCM.

Getting On

• In Scotland at present around 70% choose cremation after death rather than burial. However, cemeteries employ more workers than crematoria.


• There is little promotion within the field of practical cemetery work. However, you might move into cemetery administration.

Pay

Salaries are usually on the scales of local government manual workers. Overtime might be available.

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.