Prepares burial sites by digging graves and backfilling once interment has taken place. May assist a Sexton to maintain associated cemetery grounds, facilities, and gardens.

Receives grave excavation requests and location instructions; prepares all equipment and grounds for burials; complies with a variety of health and safety requirements; digs graves using a mini-excavator or similar and/or hand tools to prescribed specifications; may install/remove shoring or lining materials in graves; removes surplus earth; backfills graves; levels sunken graves; may set grave markers; may complete basic records; may clean and maintain cemetery grounds and facilities; may mow lawns and perform other general garden labouring tasks onsite.

• Works primarily outdoors in most weather conditions.
• Often works in confined or awkward spaces.
• Frequently works in wet and dirty conditions.

• Up to very heavy physical demand levels.
• Stands frequently for most work. Clambering in and out of trenches is often required.
• Occasionally walks about the work area to move equipment and materials.
• Frequently to constantly digs or shovels material out of / into the grave.
• Frequently to constantly stretches out and down.
• Bends frequently. Occasionally squats, crouches, or kneels.
• Frequently to occasionally twists the body or neck.
• Frequently lifts and carries materials, earth, and tools.
• Frequent repetitive hand and arm movements are required when digging.
• Driving is frequently to occasionally required if operating excavation machinery or moving between cemetery sites.
• Uses a range of machinery and hand tools to carry out earthmoving tasks.
• Mental skills necessary include practical and problem-solving skills.

• Nil (ANZSCO Skill Level 5).
• However, earthmoving labouring, earthmoving machine operation, and garden labouring experience are all advantageous. Entry-level positions would be under the supervision of an experienced Grave Digger or Sexton. Some specific roles may require a Class 1 Driver Licence with a Wheels (W) or Tracks (T) Endorsement.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.