General Assistant – Mortuary Support (Mthatha & East London)

About the role

Icebolethu Burial Services, a subsidiary of Icebolethu Group, is looking for candidates to fill fixed-term positions as General Assistants in Mthatha and East London. The successful appointees will carry out tasks supporting Burial Services.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in removals and help identify bodies.
• Register deceased details on the mortuary register and ensure they are labelled correctly.
• Wash and store bodies in the mortuary tray according to the register and board number, and keep bodies stored in their assigned locations.
• Clean and prepare bodies for autopsy, clean the mortuary and viewing area, and sterilize autopsy equipment and instruments for the pathologist.
• Wash and prepare bodies for collection and coffin them.
• Release bodies to the family or other authorised persons and update families and friends about the autopsy if necessary.
• Monitor the mortuary, sign in visitors and assist with funeral grave and hall decoration setup.
• Install the lowering device machine and look after equipment and materials.

Required profile

• Grade 12.
• At least 1-2 years' experience in burials, funeral services and planning.
• Ability to work calmly and professionally with gruesome or unidentifiable bodies, and to show empathy and sensitivity with families of the deceased.
• Willingness to work odd hours and/or overnight shifts.

Required skills

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle sensitive organs and instruments.
• Good communication skills.