Crematorium technician

Crematorium technicians carry out cremations. They have a range of duties including operating cremators, dealing with cremated remains and maintaining cremation equipment. They might also prepare the chapel room in the crematorium before the funeral takes place.

Also known as

Cremator operator

Work activities

Crematorium technicians are responsible for making sure that cremations are carried out individually and with respect. Before each funeral service, they make sure that cremation equipment is working properly. They might also clean and prepare the chapel, which is the area in the crematorium where the funeral service takes place. They might deal with any pre-recorded music that is to be played during the ceremony. They could be responsible for setting out order-of-service booklets and attendance cards. They also display floral tributes in the correct area outside the chapel. Some crematorium technicians meet funeral directors, religious leaders and mourners when they arrive, to make sure that all requirements for the service are met. They show mourners into the chapel.

After the funeral service, they carry out the cremation. This involves:

Putting the casket into the cremator.
Operating the cremator.
Removing the cremated remains.
Storing the cremated remains in a container.
Dealing with the cremated remains according to instructions from the family or friends of the deceased.

The crematorium technician makes sure that the correct identity of the deceased person is maintained throughout the whole process. Other tasks include:

Maintaining cremation equipment.
Keeping records.
Clearing away floral tributes.
Answering enquiries from visitors to the crematorium and its grounds.

Personal qualities and skills

As a crematorium technician, you need:

To deal sensitively with distressed and upset people.
Good verbal communication skills.
To pay close attention to codes of cremation practice and environmental regulations.
Physical fitness to move caskets into place, and to spend a long time standing up.
A smart appearance.
Teamwork skills.
Computers are often used to keep records, so IT skills could be useful.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Crematorium technicians earn in the range of £15,000 - £18,000 a year, rising to £24,000 a year with experience. Management posts can attract higher salaries.

Crematorium technicians usually work 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, with some evening and weekend work.

Employers are local authorities and private companies operating throughout the country. Over 70% of all funerals are cremations. Opportunities for crematorium technicians occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on the LGJobs and individual local authority websites, on job boards, on the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities website, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

There are no formal entry requirements for this career.

You will be trained on-the-job by a senior crematorium technician or manager, while working through either the Crematorium Technicians Training Scheme (CTTS), which is run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), or the Training and Examination Scheme for Crematorium Technicians (TEST), which is run by the Federation of Burial and Crematorium Authorities (FBCA).

The training schemes cover:

The administration of cremation.
The cremation service.
Operating the cremator.
Environmental issues.
Cremated remains and memorialisation.

When you have completed one of the training schemes, you will then gain a proficiency certificate so that you can carry out cremations without supervision.

With further experience and qualifications, you could move into senior or management positions.

Qualifications

To enter training as a crematorium technician, you need numeracy and literacy skills. GCSEs in subjects such as English and maths are useful. A relevant work-related qualification, such as an Edexcel (BTEC) level 2 First qualification, may be accepted for entry.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

New entrants could work towards awards of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM). These include the Crematorium Technicians Training Scheme, ICCM advanced certificate and other ICCM short courses.

Related careers

Funeral director