About the position
The Cemetery Caretaker position involves a variety of responsibilities focused on the maintenance and management of cemetery grounds. The role requires prior experience working at a cemetery, specifically conducting burials, as this is a critical aspect of the job. The caretaker will be responsible for ensuring that the cemetery is well-maintained and presents a respectful environment for visitors and families. This includes performing groundskeeping tasks such as mowing grass, trimming shrubs, and maintaining flower beds. The caretaker will also operate various tools and equipment, including hand-held tools, lawn mowers, and backhoes, to perform these duties effectively. In addition to general maintenance, the Cemetery Caretaker will participate in interment activities, which may include assisting with openings and closings of graves, performing disinterments, and preparing crypts for entombment. The role requires physical agility and the ability to work in extreme weather conditions, as caretakers are often outdoors. Communication skills are essential, as the caretaker will interact with associates, contractor personnel, and client families. The position also involves adhering to safety regulations and ensuring compliance with corporate, federal, state, and local guidelines, including OSHA regulations. Overall, the Cemetery Caretaker plays a vital role in maintaining the dignity and appearance of the cemetery, ensuring that all tasks are completed with care and respect for the deceased and their families.
Responsibilities
- Manages the grounds provided at a cemetery
- Performs all grounds keeping and maintenance matters on the properties and maintains the overall appearance of a cemetery or mausoleum
- Mows grass, plows snow, waters lawns, fertilizes and trims shrubs, tends flower beds and regularly inspects assigned work areas to ensure proper standards are maintained
- Operates lawn and grounds equipment including push and power mowers, snow blowers, weed eaters, leaf blowers and other related power equipment
- Removes debris and trash from grounds
- Participates on teams for openings and closings for interments, entombments and interments
- May perform disinterment
- May determine the location and layout of individual graves with assistance, complying with verification procedures
- May perform minor repairs to the cemetery and or building systems
- May perform some of the duties associated with cremations such as maintaining inventory and complying with federal and state cremation regulations
- Must follow safety rules and ensure compliance with the operating procedures of corporate, federal, state and local regulations, including OSHA regulations and Safety and Environmental guidelines
- May assist in moving and installing burial vaults
- Cut grass, maintain lawn, trim around trees, walkways and memorial markers, lay sod, move and remove flowers to and from chapel and graveside
- Clear debris and maintain drives and walkways in safe condition
- Install vault face and prepare grave sites for interments
- Assemble tents/canopies and arrange chairs for graveside ceremony
- Prepare crypts for entombment
- Install grave markers, bronze memorials, crypt faces, etc.
- Maintain and repair existing markers and other cemetery features
- Locate grave sites and dig graves using backhoe without damaging surrounding vaults, markers and monuments
- Maintain overall appearance and cleanliness of mausoleum facilities
- Clean and maintain the facility, perform minor repairs, painting, etc.
- Assist with loading and unloading caskets
- Assist with setting up chapel for services
- Help with preparation and setup for opening and closing interments, entombments and interments.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Prior experience working at a cemetery conducting burials
- Ability to operate hand-held tools and equipment, including shovel, pick, rake, sledge hammer, lawn mower, weed trimmer and leaf blower
- Ability to operate a backhoe and tractor
- Ability to accurately use measuring devices (i.e tape measure, yard-stick, etc.)
- Ability to work in extreme weather conditions
- Physically agile and dexterous
- Ability to operate equipment in a safe and careful manner
- Ability to effectively work with others to accomplish tasks
- Ability to communicate effectively with associates, contractor personnel and client families
- Basic computer skills to enable retrieving and responding to email communications
- Permit to operate equipment used at the facility as per local regulations
- 6+ months of general labor or grounds keeping experience
- Valid driver's license
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
