Job summary
Would you like to join a small but supportive team in the role of Bereavement & Mortuary Officer?
The Bereavement & Mortuary Officer provides:
– Support and guidance to relatives, carers, friends and hospital staff dealing with the death of in patients.
– Ensures all the necessary paperwork is completed to the required standard so that the appropriate person can register the death at the local Town Hall.
– Provide information to relatives, carers or friends to facilitate the organisation of funerals or cremations.
– Ensure that those involved in the ‘out of hours’ releasing of bodies are fully prepared and able to do so.
-Supports and covers for the mortuary officer during absence and leave, this involves going into the mortuary and arranging viewings of the body.
-Supports and covers for the medical examiner officer during absence and leave.
Main duties of the job
The Bereavement & Mortuary Officer will provide:
- Support and guidance to relatives, carers, friends and hospital staff dealing with the death of inpatients.
- Ensure all the necessary paperwork is completed to the required standard so that the appropriate person can register the death at the local Town Hall.
- Provide information to relatives, carers or friends to facilitate the organisation of funerals or cremations.
- Ensure that those involved in the ‘out of hours’ releasing of bodies are fully prepared and able to do so.
- Responsible for managing a system of secure and dignified handling of bodies.
- Ensure that the bodies of both adult and babies are prepared for viewing by relatives with appropriate respectand dignity and are aimed at meeting the needs of a multi-faith community.
- Ensure body parts are stored and disposed of appropriately.
- Ensure the premises are kept clean and that risk management and security procedures are strictly adhered to.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Bachelor’s degree level or equivalent working knowledge in related field.
Desirable
- Completed e-learning MEO core training modules
Skills
Essential
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to communicate in difficult and emotional situations with empathy and professionalism with all stakeholders.
Desirable
- Competent in the use of IT software systems and handling sensitive personal identifiable data
Experience
Essential
- Experience of Working with People in sensitive and emotional situations
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.
Knowledge
Essential
- General knowledge of clinical/medical terminology
Desirable
- Knowledge of the special requirements of various faith groups and respect for equality and diversity of issues around formalities following a death
- Knowledge of the Coroner & Justice Act 2009 reference to the medical examiner system. Full understanding of the medical examiner system operational remit when incorporated within Bereavement Services or as a stand-alone office.
Other
Essential
- Commitment and adherence to the Equality Act
- Understanding of the Trust values
- Approachable and supportive to all levels of staff and bereaved families in a non-judgemental and discreet manner
- Ability to maintain a calm manner in a range of challenging and emotive circumstances
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 21 July 2026
