current vacancies

FREELANCE FUNERAL ASSISTANT

 

All the work we do at Poetic Endings is based on the belief that good funerals are extremely important and how we treat the people in our care REALLY matters.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for people who share our beliefs to work with us in the role of freelance funeral assistant, supporting our funeral directors to create thoughtful and meaningful funerals.

THE ROLE

As a freelance funeral assistant, you’ll support our funeral directors on the day of the funeral to ensure everything goes smoothly and to deal with any challenges that may arise.

Examples of tasks you might be asked to undertake:

  • Arriving before the main funeral team to set up the ceremony space, and manage the arrival of the cortège

  • Managing crowds of mourners, and answering their questions

  • Giving out orders of service

  • Facilitating ceremonial aspects of the service, such as handing out message tags and pens, arranging guards of honour, and managing floral tributes

  • Carrying the coffin

  • Checking the music, webcast & visual tributes

  • Liaising with other stakeholders, such as vicars and chapel attendants, to ensure the funeral runs smoothly.

ABOUT YOU

This role is ideal for someone looking for interesting freelance work on a flexible basis.

You’ll need to be organised, responsive and capable of using your own initiative, but have enough awareness not to overstep the mark. Funerals can be intense so you’ll need to be a calm and supportive presence in emotionally challenging situations. We’re looking for someone who is sensitive to the needs of others, and is able to work with kindness, thoughtfulness and flexibility as core values.

You’ll need to be detail-orientated, as you’ll be the funeral director’s second pair of eyes.

You’ll need to be an excellent communicator with the ability to work with people from all walks of life. We embrace and welcome the diversity of our community, and want everyone to feel safe, respected and valued.  

You’ll need to be well-presented and dressed appropriately – everything from wellington boots and a warm coat at a natural burial ground to looking very sharp at a funeral in a church in Mayfair.

Although we’re based in South East London, we cover all of London and sometimes beyond, so you’ll need to be prepared to travel. It really helps if you can drive, and have your own vehicle.

We value emotional intelligence, life experience, enthusiasm, and personality over academic qualifications. We love to work alongside inspiring and inspired individuals who are enthusiastic about the work we're doing to change funerals for the better.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your CV and an email explaining your interest in the role to careers@poetic-endings.com.

Whilst we appreciate all applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We’re a small team and busy looking after bereaved people, so if you have questions about the role, please email us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

We look forward to hearing from you.