Apprentice Funeral Director
DIGNITY FUNERALS LIMITED
Bristol (BS16 9EN)
Closes in 15 days (Friday 31 July 2026)
Posted on 15 July 2026
Contents
Summary
We're looking for a compassionate Apprentice Funeral Director to learn all aspects of funeral operations, helping deliver exceptional services while supporting families through difficult times. You'll also represent our local brand, build community relationships, and make a meaningful difference every day.
- Wage
-
£28,103.56 a year
- Training course
- Funeral director (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, shifts, may work evenings and weekends.
38 hours 20 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 3 August 2026
- Duration
-
1 year
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
As an Apprentice Funeral Director, you'll play an important role in helping families navigate bereavement with kindness, empathy and professionalism. You'll learn from experienced colleagues while developing the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to become a qualified Funeral Director. No previous funeral industry experience is required – full training and support will be provided throughout your apprenticeship journey.
As an Apprentice Funeral Director, you are a calm, confident presence at the heart of our funeral care. You’ll support families through one of the most emotional experiences of their lives, helping them feel informed, respected, and cared for.
From the first meeting to the day of the funeral and beyond, you’ll guide them through their options with clarity and compassion, supporting aftercare, ashes, memorialisation and funeral plans.
As an Apprentice Funeral Director, you will learn to:
- Lead funeral services with professionalism and attention to detail
- Run pre-funeral briefings to ensure everything is clearly understood and well-coordinated
- Offer a consultative approach - helping families explore available options and understand what’s possible
- Collaborate with arrangers, specialists, FDs and care teams
- Support the team in managing the diary, resources and records
- Assist with coffin preparation, handling of the deceased, and chapel duties where required
- Provide leadership and mentoring to less experienced team members, sharing learning, and taking part in training and development
- Support with local community engagement and promotion of the brand you represent - build relationships with care homes, celebrants and local religious and ethnic groups
- Act as a liaison with service and client delivery to ensure seamless scheduling and service coordination
Where you'll work
2 Cossham Street
Mangotsfield
Bristol
BS16 9EN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER LTD
Training course
Funeral director (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Lead the team to use established strategies when handling grieving clients. Build a rapport with clients anticipating their requirements and providing excellent service. Handle and resolve clients concerns, complaints and compliments.
- Lead a service, which delivers business vision and values when dealing with clients, colleagues and all stakeholders. Work to improve the profitability and reputation of the business whilst being respectful to competitors. Create opportunities to introduce / promote the business at local events, assist with fund raising and support community services. Manage and monitor the appropriate use of technologies meeting business objectives.
- Supervise and manage the day-to-day running of the business. Carry out briefings and debriefings to organise the team to meet business objectives. Lead the team effectively responding positively to different group dynamics and personalities. Design and manage contingencies according to own role and business needs. Act within limits of own authority making decisions and escalating to business decision makers/stakeholders when necessary.
- Apply legal requirements for the sector whilst supervising staff working with external agencies and authorities. Supervise operations according to the business’ governance, policies and procedures. Organise and support colleagues to coordinate specialist funeral services within legal requirements.
- Facilitate continuous professional development activities and use newly acquired skills and knowledge to improve business, self and others. Research, source and implement development activities. Identify training needs with team members, arrange and/or deliver development activities to others.
- Cascade up-to-date information to the team regarding new and current products and services. Empower the team to be confident when offering choice to the client.
- Give appropriate responses to all forms of communication, showing an ability to interpret a range of cues. Monitor the effectiveness of and encourage excellent communications across all operations that achieve the best result for the business.
- Manage business information systems and procedures. Use ethical practices to support profitability and maintain own business’ social responsibilities. Analyse management information and suggest ways to improve business performance.
- Show ability to take control and ownership of events on the day of the funeral.
Training schedule
As part of this role, you will work towards achieving the Funeral Director Level 3 Apprenticeship, a nationally recognised qualification designed to build the skills, knowledge, and professional behaviours required to support families and care for the deceased.
Key details about your apprenticeship:
- Duration: 12 months
- Training Provider: Connect2Care - our trusted partner who will deliver the formal learning element of your apprenticeship
- Learning Time: You will receive dedicated, protected time during your working week to complete your apprenticeship tasks, learning modules, and assessments
- Delivery: A blend of online learning, workplace development, practical skills, and one‑to‑one support from your assigned tutor
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade C/4 or above)
- Maths (grade Grade C/4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Empathy
Other requirements
- Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Being comfortable with working at height
- Full UK driving license
About this employer
We are Dignity, one of the UK’s oldest and most trusted funeral providers, with over 200 years of history, 570 branches, and 46 crematoria across the country. From launching the UK’s first funeral plan to helping shape modern regulation, we have led the way in supporting families with care, compassion, and professionalism.
We are now building the UK’s leading end-of-life company. As part of the Dignity Group, we also operate Farewill, the country’s most prominent will writer and one of the UK’s top probate providers, giving families support not just at the funeral, but before and after as well.
Today, we are over 4,000 people across the UK, all driven by the same goal: to care for families with compassion and make the UK a world leader in end-of-life care. Here to help, whenever you need.
Company benefits
Rewards and benefits: Earn an annual bonus of up to £500, receive life assurance cover worth 2x your salary, and enjoy discounts through MyStaffShop, with savings across a wide range of high street and online retailers.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
On successful completion of the Level 3 Funeral Director Apprenticeship, we would look to retain the right person within the business in a permanent Funeral Director role. We are committed to investing in our colleagues for the long term and supporting their ongoing development.
With experience and continued development, there are opportunities to progress into Senior Funeral Director positions, taking on greater responsibility and supporting the development of others. Career progression will be supported through further training, on-the-job learning, and increased leadership opportunities.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DIGNITY FUNERALS LIMITED
Kate Brown
apprenticeships@dignityuk.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042858.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Friday 31 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.