Funeral team member
Level 2 · IntermediateSales, marketing and procurement 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Funeral Team Member apprenticeship trains you to provide compassionate, practical support throughout the funeral process, from collecting the deceased to bearing the coffin and caring for the funeral home. You will develop the care, communication, and practical skills required to help bereaved families through a difficult time. This standard provides the foundation for progression to funeral director or embalming roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Respectful care of the deceased in the funeral home
Sensitive communication with bereaved families and the public
Legal requirements and documentation in the funeral process
Safe manual handling of the deceased and coffins
Preparation and maintenance of funeral vehicles
Hygiene, health, and safety in a funeral environment
Funeral service procedures including bearing and ceremony support
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Collect the deceased from homes, hospitals, or care settings
Prepare the deceased for chapel of rest viewing
Bear coffins at funeral services with dignity and care
Drive and maintain funeral vehicles
Support the funeral director at services and committals
Keep the funeral home, chapel, and facilities clean
Assist families with enquiries and provide compassionate support
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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