Bereavement Services Apprentice

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

Coventry Bereavement Service work tirelessly to deliver the highest possible standards of service to all bereaved families at their time of need.

We are responsible for the provision of burial across 6 cemeteries located city wide, the management of Canley Crematorium and Gardens of Remembrance as well as various other sundry services including the provision of Public Health Funerals and post cremation memorialsation. Through the hard work, commitment and dedication of our skilled team of colleagues we are able to deliver a highly demanding service demonstrating both empathy and compassion.

Bereavement Service is proud of the services it is able to deliver and guarantee the families are always at the heart of all it does. We will provide you with an environment where you can flourish by providing training, promote personal growth and learn new skills all whilst helping to deliver essential services to the bereaved.

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

This is an exciting opportunity to start your career within local government as a Bereavement Administrator Apprentice.

You will support the Bereavement Services team in providing a high-quality, customer-focused service. This includes:

• Handling enquiries by phone, email and in person
• Providing clear information and guidance to customers in a sensitive and professional manner
• Using internal systems to record information accurately
• Supporting administrative tasks such as filing, printing, photocopying and data entry
• Liaising with funeral directors, faith groups and other service areas
• Learning how we manage cremation and burial bookings
• Ensuring all work is carried out with dignity, confidentiality and care

You will undertake the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship standard. Further information for this apprenticeship can be found on:

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeship-standards/st0070-v1-0

This apprenticeship role is a fixed term contract for 21 months in line with the length of the apprenticeship training.

The post will be based in our offices at Bereavement Services, The Lodge, Canley Cemetery & Crematorium.

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We are looking for someone who:

• Is approachable, calm and able to communicate clearly
• Can handle sensitive conversations with empathy
• Is organised and able to follow procedures accurately
• Has basic IT and digital skills
• Can work well as part of a supportive team
• Is willing to learn and develop professionally

Experience is not essential – what matters most is your attitude, commitment and willingness to learn.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Closing date: 31st May 2026
Pre-interview and assessment date: 6th – 24th July 2026
Interview date(s) (Face-to-face): 20th July - 7th August 2026

Apprentices start W/C 7th September 2026

The pre-interview is a short session to give the candidates further details of the apprenticeship role and to help them understand what to expect from and how to prepare for the final interview.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Need help completing your application form? The Job Shop can support you. You can email them at jobshopemploymentsupport@coventry.gov.uk or visit the Job Shop in person, please see their webpage for more information. For all other queries, contact Resourcing@coventry.gov.uk. We would recommend that all applicants take advantage of this service in order to maximise the chances of being shortlisted.

Address: West Orchard Way, Coventry CV1 1FY
Phone: 024 7678 5740
Email: jobshop@coventry.gov.uk
Website: http://www.coventry.gov.uk/jobshop

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards & benefits package which includes:

• Flexible working arrangements
• An outstanding local government pension scheme
• Great opportunities to develop with access to accredited courses.
• Access to an award-winning Occupational Health Service
• Salary Sacrifice Scheme