Skip to main content
National Careers Service

beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Crematorium technician

Crematorium technician

Alternative titles for this job include

Crematorium technicians maintain and operate equipment to make sure cremation services run smoothly.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 43

You could work

weekends flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job by applying directly.

Direct Application

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.

More Information

Career tips

Many jobs combine crematorium duties with grounds maintenance, so experience in operating horticultural equipment could be useful.

Further information

You can find more on crematorium work and training from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You may need a full driving licence for some jobs.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work at a cemetery.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could mentor trainee technicians or move into crematorium management.

You could also move into roles in the wider funeral services industry.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a crematorium technician right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a crematorium technician?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.