Volunteer Funeral Logistics Lead

What will you be doing?

Supporting Humanity is seeking an experienced volunteer to help coordinate its funeral service and provide compassionate, professional support to bereaved families. 

This is a skilled role for someone with professional experience in operations, logistics, administration, healthcare coordination, funeral services or a related field. You will act as a first point of contact for funeral referrals during agreed rota periods and help ensure that each case is managed sensitively, accurately and efficiently.

You will communicate with bereaved families and liaise with hospitals, mortuaries, cemeteries, crematoria and other relevant organisations. You will also work closely with Supporting Humanity’s internal funeral logistics team, keeping all parties updated and helping arrangements progress smoothly.

The role will involve making and receiving telephone calls, responding to emails, maintaining accurate spreadsheets and electronic records, and handling sensitive and confidential information with discretion. You will also help identify and resolve issues, escalate concerns where appropriate and support clear handovers between rota periods.

The role is primarily remote, and you will not normally be responsible for collecting or transporting the deceased. The level of activity will vary. Some periods may be quiet, while an active funeral case may require several calls and communications with different people and organisations.

The service operates seven days a week, with responsibility shared through an agreed rota.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a compassionate, calm and highly organised volunteer who can communicate sensitively with bereaved families while coordinating several practical arrangements at the same time.

The most important qualities are empathy, professionalism, emotional resilience and the ability to remain composed in sensitive or pressured situations. You should be able to listen carefully, explain information clearly and communicate with families and professionals in a respectful and reassuring manner.

You should have professional experience in operations, logistics, administration, service coordination, healthcare administration, funeral services or a related area. Experience of managing cases, coordinating different organisations, handling urgent requests or supporting people in difficult circumstances would be particularly valuable.

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail are essential. You will need to keep accurate records, follow up actions, manage changing priorities and ensure that important information is handed over clearly. You should be comfortable working independently during agreed rota periods while also collaborating closely with colleagues and escalating concerns when necessary.

Good digital skills are required, including confidence using email, Microsoft Office applications, shared documents and spreadsheets. You should also be comfortable making and receiving professional telephone calls and handling confidential information appropriately.

Previous experience in funeral services, bereavement support, healthcare, social care or charity services would be helpful, but it is not essential. Full training and ongoing support will be provided.

What difference will you make?

Supporting Humanity’s funeral service provides practical and compassionate support to families at one of the most difficult times in their lives. This role will help us provide a reliable, sensitive and well-organised service, ensuring that families receive clear communication and that essential arrangements progress smoothly.

Your contribution will strengthen coordination between bereaved families, hospitals, mortuaries, cemeteries, crematoria and our internal funeral logistics team. By keeping accurate records, following up actions and maintaining clear communication, you will help reduce delays, misunderstandings and additional stress for the people we support.

The role will also increase the resilience and continuity of the service by sharing responsibility for referrals and active cases. This will help Supporting Humanity respond more consistently when demand increases and ensure that important information is handed over effectively.

By applying your professional experience, you will make a direct difference to the quality, dignity and reliability of our funeral service.