Cemetery worker apprenticeships

Environment and land | Government services

Cemetery worker apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

an apprenticeship

applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could do a Level 2 apprenticeship for horticulture and landscape operatives. You'll usually need: some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for a job as a cemetery worker, if you've got some of the skills needed for this role. For example, you must be able to deal sensitively with bereaved people. You don't need any particular qualifications, although employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English.

Experience in landscaping, gardening, construction or use of a mechanical mini digger can be useful. Once you're working, your employer will arrange for you to follow the Cemetery Operatives Training Scheme.

Cemetery worker apprenticeships - what it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to operate and control equipment
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
to be flexible and open to change
the ability to work well with others
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
the ability to work well with your hands
knowledge of public safety and security
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need a driving licence for some jobs if working with heavy plant machinery.

Cemetery worker apprenticeships - what you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this job, you'll:

measure and mark out grave spaces
dig and prepare graves with a mechanical excavator or hand tools
maintain lawns, verges and plants around the cemetery
keep pathways clear, empty bins and remove litter
check headstones for damage and remove those that are unsafe
keep work records up to date

Working environment

You could work at a cemetery. Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Career path and progression - Cemetery worker apprenticeships

With experience, you could become a team supervisor. You could also train to work in cemetery, crematorium and natural burial management. You could use your skills to move into other careers like landscaping, gardening or horticulture.

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Considering an Apprenticeship?

There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

Paid Training
Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
Range of career opportunities
There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
Earn & learn
As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
Great career prospects
Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
Learn on the job
There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

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