You do not need any particular qualifications to apply for jobs, although it may help to have a GCSE at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and some IT skills.

You must be able to deal sensitively with bereaved people attending services or visiting the cemetery, so it can be helpful if you have experience of dealing with the public.

Once you're working in a crematorium, your employer will arrange for you to follow the Crematorium Technicians Training Scheme.

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• customer service skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• a desire to help people
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

You may need a full driving licence for some jobs.

As a crematorium technician, you could:

• clean and prepare the chapel and equipment before a service
• carry out safety checks on cremation equipment
• receive coffins and check identity documents
• meet mourners as they arrive and escort them into the chapel
• make sure that relevant legislation and regulations are followed
• operate cremation equipment
• make sure remains are stored correctly after cremation
• follow bereaved families' wishes on what to do with the deceased person's ashes
• keep accurate records of the process

You could work at a cemetery.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.