Funeral Service Crew Review

I work as an undertaker for co-op Funeralcare in Brighton. I am responsible for taking the deceased into our care; their care and preparation during their time with us and also their journey on the day of their funeral, like caring their coffin. I drive private ambulances and ceremonial vehicles.

Yes, very much so! I have learned so much in my role at Co-op Funeralcare. From how to lift heavy weights correctly, to building coffins, engraving name plates, care and preparation of the deceased, how to bear a coffin, how to tie a tie correctly, vehicle care and maintenance and driving an automatic car!

I find the apprenticeship very difficult in terms of behind able to dedicate enough time to the coursework and learning side. When I am at work there is always work to be done which takes precedence over all my NVQ work. I find it difficult to build NVQ time into my schedule.

The programme is good and our tutor is great - it is clear what is expected of us and what we are supposed to do. Unfortunately the only real downfall of the programme is with regard to my company building enough time into my workload for me to work on my NVQ coursework.

Very little! As previously stated, when I am at work, I am there to work and there is always work to do which takes precedence over my NVQ learning and coursework activities. I wish my employer was more supportive and would bulld time into my hours for me to compete more NVQ work.

I receive just the right amount of support from my training provider. It is clear what is expected of me and what tasks I have to compete. It is easy to get in touch with my tutor Orsi and she is very helpful and knowledgeable about the NVQ training programme.

The qualification, as I work through it is great, it will help me learn more about the other roles that I work alongside which in turn will give me a better understanding of the funeral industry as a whole and the part I play within it. I am pushed to learn new things which is great!

Not really. As an undertaker we aren't really involved with the local community side of things as that is more the sort of thing that the funeral arrangers and funeral directors tend to do. The company does not organise and team activities apart from the Christmas party each year.

Yes

I would recommend Co-op Funeralcare as a great door opener into the funeral industry. I have learned so much since working here and I am grateful for the opportunity to gain a qualification out of it whilst doing my role. All uniform is provided too which makes life a lot easier!

The fact to face interview format is based on situational strengths, so make sure that you are able to answer on the format of an example, an action, a result and a summary of the outcome. Basically the longer the answer you give, the greater the chance that you will tick all the boxes!