Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants

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.

You can apply for a place on an apprenticeship scheme with a funeral services company. Schemes include:

• Funeral Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Funeral Director Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

You'll normally need at least 12 months' experience in funeral services to apply for a funeral director apprenticeship.

You could get a job at a funeral home, supporting the work of the team, for example as a funeral arranger.

To do this, you would need:

• customer service experience
• respect and compassion
• excellent communication skills
• good computer and administration skills

As your experience grows, your employer may encourage you to take further training on the job to move into funeral directing.

While working, you could study for qualifications in:

• funeral arranging and administration
• mortuary support
• funeral services
• funeral directing

You can get more advice about training and careers in the funeral service from the British Institute of Funeral Directors and the National Association of Funeral Directors.

Although not essential, you could take a horticultural course at college to get some of the skills and knowledge needed to do this job.

A course like this would give you skills in maintaining green spaces, landscaping and how to use tools and equipment safely. Once working, you're employer would give you specific training in preparing burial plots and care for memorials.

You can apply directly for a job as a cemetery worker, if you've got some of the personal qualities needed for this role. For example, you must be able to deal sensitively with bereaved people.

You don't need any particular qualifications, although employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English.

Experience in landscaping, gardening, construction or use of a mechanical mini digger can be useful.

If your application is successful, your employer will arrange for you to follow the Cemetery Operatives Training Scheme.

You could apply to do a Mortuary Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Embalmer Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship, with a funeral services company.

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.