Bereavement Officer – Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Bereavement Officer to join its supportive team at Homerton University Hospital in London.
This is a permanent, full-time Band 4 position supporting relatives, carers, friends and hospital staff following the death of a patient. The role combines compassionate support with administrative, organisational and coordination responsibilities across the bereavement service.
Job Details
- Job title: Bereavement Officer
- Employer: Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Location: Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, London, E9 6SR
- Salary: £34,186 – £37,389 per year, including London weighting
- Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
- Band: 4
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference: 293-CSEP-0728
- Date posted: 25 September 2026
- Closing date: 2 October 2026
- Advert warning: The vacancy may close early if there are high numbers of applications.
About the Role
The Bereavement Officer provides practical information, guidance and compassionate support to people dealing with the death of a patient.
The role involves ensuring the necessary documentation is completed correctly, helping relatives with arrangements for registering a death, providing information about funeral and cremation arrangements, and coordinating other aspects of the bereavement process.
The post also provides cover for the Medical Examiner Officer and Mortuary Officer during periods of absence or leave. This can include working in the mortuary and arranging viewings of the deceased.
Because the service operates in a busy and sometimes unpredictable environment, the successful applicant will need to remain organised while communicating sensitively with people experiencing a very difficult time.
Main Responsibilities
Key duties include:
- Supporting relatives, carers, friends and hospital staff following the death of a patient.
- Helping facilitate the completion of medical certificates of cause of death.
- Liaising with the Medical Examiner Officer and Medical Examiner when required.
- Arranging appointments for next of kin to register deaths at the Town Hall.
- Arranging viewings of the deceased at the Hospital Chapel of Rest during office hours.
- Requesting medical staff to complete relevant death certification accurately and promptly.
- Facilitating the completion of cremation documentation when requested by undertakers.
- Guiding next of kin regarding collection of valuables belonging to the deceased.
- Supporting out-of-hours arrangements for the release of bodies.
- Providing cover for the Medical Examiner Officer and Mortuary Officer when required.
- Where there is no known next of kin, working with the Local Authority or genealogists to establish whether relatives can be identified.
- Where no next of kin can be established, following the appropriate process for registering the death.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Experience of working without direct supervision.
- Experience of providing a service to members of the general public.
- Good mathematics and English skills, both written and verbal.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to communicate information clearly and accurately.
- Computer literacy.
- Awareness of customer/consumer care.
- A sensitive and compassionate approach.
- Understanding and demonstration of the Trust’s values.
Desirable Experience
The Trust would particularly value:
- Previous experience working with bereaved people.
- Experience of working in a hospital environment.
- Understanding of documentation and procedures following the death of a patient.
Working Environment
This is a challenging but potentially rewarding role within a supportive team. The position requires someone who can combine strong organisation and administrative skills with compassion and professionalism when dealing with bereaved families and others affected by a patient’s death.
An informal visit to the service is recommended by the Trust.
Visa Sponsorship
Skilled Worker sponsorship: Applications are welcome.
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
Applicants who require sponsorship should still check that they meet the relevant Skilled Worker eligibility requirements and that the specific role qualifies for sponsorship.
DBS Check
The post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974/Exceptions Order 1975.
About Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital and community health services to the population of Hackney, East London, the City and surrounding areas.
The Trust operates Homerton Hospital as well as services at St Leonard’s Hospital and Mary Seacole Nursing Home. It states that it is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and staff development.
Application / Selection Process
Applications should be submitted through the official NHS Jobs vacancy.
The application will be assessed against the essential and desirable criteria listed in the person specification, including communication skills, experience working with the public, computer literacy, organisational ability and a sensitive, compassionate approach.
Closing date: 2 October 2026. The advert may close earlier if sufficient applications are received.
For questions about the role, applicants can contact Simon Barrett, Mortuary Officer, via the contact details provided on the NHS Jobs advert.
Employer
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Homerton University Hospital
Homerton Row
London
E9 6SR
United Kingdom
Reference: 293-CSEP-0728