I walked past a funeral directors a few weeks ago and decided that I wanted to work there....

[Pitstop1986]

Seriously, how do you go about applying/registering interest if they're not physically advertising? Now it's in my head, I won't let up until I get the job

Interestingly I am considering something very similar and have an appointment with a careers service in January to discuss further. So nothing substantial to add, but just a bit of solidarity. I'll be made redundant in two years as my organisation will cease to exist, so I am starting to think about my options now.

Just to add, I'm a nurse, who has had it up to her raises hand to the highest they can hold it with the NHS so another job outside the NHS would be great

Well, what sort of work are you wanting? Work in a funeral directors encompasses a lot of fields - a large company may have admin people, (including sales), drivers, embalmers, even possibly carpenters if they make coffins in-house.

Some of those people will accompany the deceased persons remains to the ceremony, others will be purely office bound. All, however, will need to have really good personal and communication skills, and be empathetic and kind

If it interests you so much, why don't you go in and ask how jobs are advertised and what sort of training or background is sought?

There was a good AMA on here from a funeral director once, maybe see if it comes up in a search?

How close are you to pensionage?

I'm 40

So I'm about 30 years off retirement

Ah ok! ….the grass isn’t always greener though

I was talking once to the owner of a large independent funeral directors, and he told me that they usually advertised for drivers without naming the company, and only when they had got interested applicants did they reveal that they would actually be driving a hearse. Many people are squeamish about working with deceased persons!

I have always fancied working at the crematorium!

There was a good AMA on here from a funeral director once, maybe see if it comes up in a search?

I remember that, it was very interesting. There was also, as I recall, one from someone who worked in a crematorium.

I'm a church minister, and a funeral director once told me how many people apply to work there, but don't realise that the job requires dealing with dead bodies! Many don't survive the first week.
If you are serious about it, why not send a CV and letter to some local firms?
But be aware that these days they are not all full-time jobs. FDs often hire in casual workers as they are needed.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/5129180-im-a-funeral-arranger-ama?reply=137098466

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/3264486-crematorium-technician-here

I got a job with a national company and lasted less than 2 weeks. Horrific experience for me but have the upmost respect for funeral directors now

Brilliant thanks for resurrecting (excuse the pun!) both of those, very helpful.

Sorry to hear that - bad company or tasks that were unexpected? I have a friend who was a former funeral director's assistant so I hope I am investigating this as a career path with my eyes open.

I was very naive with what was involved in the role. It was a lot more hands on than I anticipated and a lot of lone working. Company was good and I would recommend

What kind of things did you actually have to do?

The role I held was funeral director but I was expected to do all the back of house duties as well

Send a CV and covering letter to all the Funeral Directors in the area

The administration staff are very chatty. I have to call them in a work related capacity every so often amd they seem delighted I'm not a bereaved family member. By far the chirpiest companies I ever have to deal with.