Bereavement Officer
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Hours / week
- 37.5
- Posted
- 11/09/2026
- Closes
- 24/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship is not clearly stated in this advert.
The advert didn't contain a clear role-specific sponsorship line, so HiveMind can't confirm eligibility. Verify with the recruiting manager or trust HR before you apply.
Role summary
This administrative role supports bereaved families by acting as the first point of contact and providing guidance during a difficult time. The post holder will liaise with various internal and external stakeholders, ensuring legal documentation is completed accurately and promptly. It requires a compassionate individual with excellent communication skills to deliver a sensitive and timely service. This is an office-based role with significant telephone contact, not a counselling position.
Key responsibilities
- Act as the first point of contact for relatives of deceased patients, responding to enquiries with sensitivity, empathy, and professionalism.
- Provide clear guidance and support to colleagues, Medical Examiners, funeral directors, crematoria, registrars, and the public.
- Deliver a compassionate and timely service to ensure bereaved families are fully supported throughout the process.
- Communicate effectively in situations that may involve complex or sensitive discussions, including where there may be barriers to understanding.
- Respond to routine queries and concerns, identifying appropriate solutions within defined protocols.
- Liaise regularly with medical staff to ensure all legal documentation is completed accurately and promptly, in line with relatives wishes for burial or cremation.
Essential criteria
- GCSE level of education or equivalent.
- Secretarial skills, acquired through an NVQ 3 or equivalent experience.
- Experience of working in Healthcare/NHS.
- Demonstrable experience in an admin role with a good knowledge of office procedures.
- Experience of working in a people-centred environment.
- Experience of working with the public.
- Commitment to personal and professional development.
- Experienced communicator both orally and on paper.
- Keyboard skills to RSA level 3.
- Excellent listening skills.
- Tact and diplomacy when dealing with highly sensitive issues. Ability to present highly sensitive information in a highly emotive situation.
- Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with staff on all levels, patients and relatives.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 13d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Bereavement Officer
The closing date is 24 September 2026
Job summary
"We kindly ask those candidates who have previously applied within the last 6 months for this role, please do not apply at this time''
NHS Band 3 Salary: £25,760 - £27,476 per annum
Hours Per Week: full time 37.5
Contract Type: Permanent
We reserve the right to close this publish vacancy early based on volume of applications received
We are seeking a compassionate and professional individual
to join our Bereavement Services team in a key administrative role supporting
bereaved families during a difficult time. This post is primarily office-based,
with a significant proportion of the work undertaken via telephone contact with relatives, staff, and external organisations , requiring a high
level of sensitivity and professionalism.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the first point of contact for relatives of deceased patients, responding to enquiries with sensitivity, empathy, and professionalism.
- Provide clear guidance and support to colleagues across the Trust, Medical Examiners, funeral directors, crematoria, registrars, and members of the public.
- Deliver a compassionate and timely service to ensure bereaved families are fully supported throughout the process.
- Communicate effectively in situ
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