gravedigger

Who is a gravedigger and what do they do? The gravedigger may be an employee of the undertaker but more usually of the cemetery or of a local council. She/he is in charge of digging the grave prior to burying the dead.
What are the activities of the gravedigger? Digs the grave with a pick and a shovel and once the coffin is inside and the funeral ceremony is over, buries it. She/he is also responsible for taking away and cleaning old graves so that they can be used again; removes the dry flowers and looks after the cemetery gardens.
Where is it done and under what conditions? The work can, of course, be depressing, as it brings regular contact with mourning relatives of dead people and a general atmosphere of sadness.
What tools/equipment do they use? Picks, shovels, ladders and construction materials: cement, plaster, sand, stones, etc.
What do you need to succeed? There is no particular academic level required. As it is a minority occupation and not usually very popular, there are relatively few training opportunities.