Cemetery workers, also known as gravediggers, look after grave and memorial sites and dig graves.

The work includes:

• measuring and marking out grave spaces
• digging graves with a mechanical diggers or hand spades 
• propping up the sides of the grave using timber and hydraulic equipment
• keeping graves tidy
• checking headstones for damage and removing those that are not safe
• looking after grass and plants around the cemetery.

Hours and Environment

You will usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but you might need to do some overtime at weekends.

You will work outdoors in all kinds of weather and will have to do a lot of climbing and bending. The job will involve getting dirty, so you will be provided with overalls.

Skills and Interests

As a cemetery worker you will need:

• to be willing to work outdoors in all weathers 
• to be able to use (or learn to use) mechanical digging equipment
• to be able to work on your own and as part of a team
• to be able to follow instructions and work within set regulations
• to be able to deal politely and tactfully with the public when necessary
• practical and gardening skills.

Entry

You do not need any particular qualifications to be a cemetery worker, although you will usually need some reading and writing skills.

You must be fit enough to cope with manual work. It will be useful if you have some relevant experience such as gardening.

To find a job, look out for vacancies in local newspapers, in jobcentres and on www.lgjobs.com – the recruitment website for local government.

Training

When you start work you will be trained on the job. Your employer might also arrange formal training on using mechanical digging equipment and/or amenity horticulture.

You might be able to work towards City and Guilds NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture, which has an optional unit on Cemeteries and Graveyards.

The Cemetery Operatives Training Scheme (COTS) is run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) at the Berkshire College of Agriculture.

The training includes:

• a five-day certificate in Health and Safety and Burial Processes
• the Excavator Operation Certificate.

The ICCM also runs the Crematorium Technicians' Training Scheme, and courses for managers, including:

• the ICCM Certificate for Cemetery and Crematoria Management
• the ICCM Diploma for Cemetery and Crematoria Management.

You can find more details on the ICCM website. See the Further Information section of this profile for contact details.

Opportunities

Crematoria and cemeteries in Britain are run by local authorities and private companies. More people work in cemeteries than at crematoria.

When you have experience you might be able to progress to being a supervisor. If your job involves clerical duties, you might be able to train for progression into a cemetery administration job. 

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only. Salary rates for crematorium/cemetery workers are usually based on local authority rates for manual workers.

You are likely to start at around £10,000 a year. 
With experience you may earn up to around £13,000.
Senior staff in supervisory roles will usually earn more than this.

Further information