Job description
Reading Borough Council is looking for compassionate, professional, and reliable individuals to join our casual pool of Body Collection Operatives, working on behalf of HM Senior Coroner. This vital role involves the dignified collection, care, and transportation of deceased individuals across Berkshire, ensuring the highest standards of respect, professionalism, and sensitivity at all times.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

The Berkshire Coroner’s Service investigates sudden, violent and unnatural deaths across Berkshire. Hosted by Reading Borough Council, the service has its central offices based in Reading Town Hall which includes a dedicated facility for inquest hearings.
The Body Collection Team is a service within the wider Coroners Team. Being based at Reading Cemetery and Crematorium during working hours and occasionally from home out of hours.
The team will be responsible for undertaking the collection, care, removal and transport of deceased patients following a community death. The service operates 24/7, 365 days per year.
As a Casual Body Collection Operative, you will respond to requests from Thames Valley Police to collect deceased persons from a wide range of locations and scenarios across the geographical area of Berkshire to a designated mortuary facility. You will also respond to requests from Coroner’s Officers to facilitate the transfer of deceased persons from and between funeral directors and/or mortuary facilities which may be outside of Berkshire.
This role is a casual post, covering vacant shifts when required to ensure continuity of service delivery.