FUNERAL ARRANGER Review

In my role i help families when a loved one has passed away, my role includes arranging the funeral. Coordinating with crematoriums, churches burial grounds as well as the family and third party companies for extra things such as flowers, order of service booklets. I am responsible for the deceased in our care and the family. on a day to day basis i could have a funeral to arrange or a meeting with the family or i could have a day of admin and finances. i am responsible for invoicing the clients and making sure this is correct also keeping correct data and making sure anything we do not need is disposed of correctly.

During my apprenticeship program i have learnt many skills, I have learnt how to interact with clients better to show professionalism and care. I have learnt about the grief cycle and how this may effect the way a client takes in information. I have also had the opportunity to see what my other colleagues do on a daily basis.

I really enjoy this programme, I don't feel rushed or overwhelmed by the modules and if i need support my trainer is there. Its nice to know that other colleagues in the business have also done or/ are doing this programme, this way i am able to ask for advice or get a second opinion on a question.

For me, I feel the programme is very well Organised. The Interactive workshops are spaced apart well, to give you the time to complete the activities before and after them. You are given enough time to complete the activities needed when the funeral home is quiet and our trainers are very understanding when you haven't had the spare time to take an our out of your day.

I would say when i first started the programme i didn't feel like i had a lot of support. Especially by my colleagues in branch, they seen the apprentice as a choice and that i could do this at home. But after speaking to management again and again they had finally spoke to my colleagues and i am now given the space and support to complete this programme

My trainer is brilliant with the amount of support i get from her, we have weekly catch ups to make sure i understand what is being asked of me in the activities set. And if for some reason i am in need of some more advise, i can always email her and she will either call via teams, respond to the email or call me on the phone. (i receive extra support as have dyslexia which i didnt know till starting this course).

I started this role during the global pandemic, at that time the apprenticeship programme was put on hold. so during the first 10 months in my role i learned from my collegues and asked for a lot of help from them. since starting the apprentice programme i have learnt a lot more to benefit me in my role. I definitely think even after the few months i have been doing this apprenticeship i am better at my role than before. I have more Knowledge to give my clients and more support for other colleagues. I think this job role is all about team work and the more information i gain the more i can pass to my colleagues.

During the global pandemic there wasnt alot of events for course but co-op do use yammer and there is always discussions and talks. These can be about anything, this week it is about Neurodiversity. This year they have a family event in oxford, this is a weekend of music, inflatables, food and entertainment for all colleagues of coop and their families. Coop support a few charities and their is always an opportunity to get involved and raise money where we can. I myself am attending the family event and myself and family are camping there the night.

Yes

Very competitive pay, great learning opportunities and its a large company which means there is always something new to try. For example there is many roles in funeral care and coop have provided apprenticeship for most of these. so if you are like me and love to get involved in learning a new skill coop are able to provide that

Be yourself. The job application to the interview process is hard but that is just because for funeral care Co-op need to make sure they have the right person for the job. You need to be reliable and friendly, willing to try new things and be open minded. On some days even have a strong stomach. But if you are the right person for the job you will be supported by others and join the family of coop funeral care.