I don't think that people really take much thought to it in the UK. Graves need to be dug, so I see no shame in working as a grave digger.
If people shunned away from grave diggers years ago, it will have been because the grave diggers also handled the dead, with diseases such as the Plague, tb and cholera around, people would not want to be near someone who had been handling the infected.
Grave digging is a hard manual job and I think fair play to them if they take pride in their job and look after the graves around them whilst they are digging.

I would certainly work as a gravedigger if the money was reasonable. It would be good exercise and would get me out in the fresh air. Also, years ago at university I studied, among other things, pedology, which is the study of soils, so I would also have an opportunity to have a look at the soil types in various graveyards - a great conversation topic at parties!

I live in the UK, and as far as I know there is no particular stigma attached to being a gravedigger.

I'm in the US. Technology has made the actual digging of graves a rather quick operation and you won't find many professional full-time grave diggers.

Instead, preparing graves is simply one task that the people who maintain cemetaries or work for municipalities will do in the course of their work. You can watch how it's done here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuZg-1DPjFo

If I had to work as a grave digger in order to pay my mortgage, pay the bills, put food on the table for my family etc. then I would. I have to admit that I am not so proud that I would turn down a job if I needed it. Being a grave digger is not my dream job and it would be last on the list of jobs I would want to do but if the worst came to the worst I would do it.

I see a grave digger as another kind of grounds keeper. This is an honorable job, which cares for the resting places of our beloved families and friends. One probably has great job security and is never out of work..

I know that when I've attended a graveside funeral, the area is prepared in a peaceful, respectful way for family and friends. This, I'm sure is part of their job.

Here in the U.S., I'm sure grave diggers make a decent salary, have benefits and job security and are respected. I'd certainly do it.