Introduction
The work of crematorium technicians is varied. They
can help the grieving process by making sure everything goes to
plan. There is a growing trend for funerals to be more
individual in celebrating the life of the deceased through music,
readings and visual tributes rather than a more traditional
ceremony. The bereaved may choose to have a jazz band at the
crematorium rather than hymns and decide to have the cremated
remains scattered at sea rather than in the Gardens of Remembrance.
It is the role of the crematorium technician to oversee that
these requests are carried out.
Work Environment
Crematorium technicians spend most of their time indoors, with
long periods spent standing up. Most of the tasks will
involve manual handling. Some outdoorwork may also be
required. The technicians need to be smartly dressed as
befits the occasion.
Daily Activities
The work is carried out at crematoria. Crematorium
technicians have many different roles they must perform at each
cremation. They will be responsible for the day to day
running of the crematorium and ensure that all cremations are
carried out in accordance with statutory and regulatory
requirements.
Crematorium Technicians ensure that all services are carried out
in accordance with instructions issued by the bereaved and before a
service clean and prepare the chapel, prepare and operate music and
visual tribute requests on a digital music system in accordance
with requests from the bereaved. They meet the funeral
cortege and escort the mourners into and out of the chapel.
Crematorium Technicians also maintain cremators and emission
monitoring equipment. Once the funeral is over, technicians
are responsible forthe cremation, ensuring that the identity of the
dead person is maintained throughout the process and attending to
the storage and disposal of the cremated remains.
Other aspects of the job include record keeping and
administrative duties, accompanying visitors to existing memorials
and assisting with grounds maintenance. In their daily work they
will work as part of a team which will include administrative
workers and bring them into contact with cemetery workers,
bereavement officers, council registrars, funeral directors,
undertakers, hearse drivers, friends and relatives of the deceased,
religious officials and so on.
Skills & Interests
All crematoria staff need to:
- be able to deal sympathetically with grieving people and be
discreet and polite;
- be physically fit;
- have some knowledge of gardening;
- have a sense of humour.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal academic requirements forentry,
although some reading and writing skills are necessary. All
entrants must be prepared to undergo professional training.
The Crematorium Technicians Training Scheme (run jointly by the
Federation of Burial & Cremation Authorities and the Institute
of Cemetery and Crematorium Management - ICCM) is recognised to
BTEC standard and can be worked through at the candidate's own pace
via distance learning. ICCM also runs the Cemetery Operatives
Training Scheme. A City in Guilds qualification in Cemetery
and Graveyard Maintenance is also available. There are also
correspondence courses available forthose already working in the
profession.
Further Information & Services
British Instituteof Embalmerswww.bioe.co.uk
City and Guilds www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
Federation of Burial & Cremation Authorities www.fbca.org.uk
Instituteof Cemeteryand Crematorium Management www.iccm-uk.com
The Cremation Society of Great Britain www.cremation.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your
local library, careers officeor school careers library.