Assessor Resource

CHCCEL008
Plan, present and evaluate funeral and memorial ceremonies

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to address the specific needs of funeral and memorial ceremonies as a celebrant. It requires the ability to liaise with funeral industry personnel, and to develop, present and evaluate personalised ceremonies.

This unit applies to celebrants.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Plan funeral and memorial ceremonies

1.1 Accept referrals for funerals and memorials according to professional boundaries and protocols

1.2 Identify and confirm practical ceremony arrangements, requirements and limitations through liaison with funeral services and other personnel

1.3 Provide accurate and current information to clients about ceremony options

1.4 Use communication that acknowledges and respects client loss and grief issues

2. Develop personalised funeral and memorial ceremony content

2.1 Gather information about the deceased in a sensitive manner as a basis for ceremony content

2.2 Identify key loss and grief related issues required for input of the celebrant at various points in the ceremony.

2.3 Reflect on and use information provided about the deceased to develop ceremonial elements

2.4 Develop eulogy or integrate life story into ceremony based on client wishes and information

2.5 Refine and finalise content in consultation with client

2.6 Identify and organise required resources

3. Present funeral and memorial ceremonies

3.1 Liaise with other service providers at the ceremony to support smooth running of ceremony

3.2 Facilitate and lead the orderly progression of the ceremony according to the ceremony design and provide clear directions as required

3.3 Present the ceremony as agreed using presentation techniques suited to the nature of the occasion

3.4 Include ceremony participants according to agreed ceremony arrangements

4. Evaluate funeral/memorial ceremonies

4.1 Seek feedback from clients at an appropriate time about services provided

4.2 Reflect on own performance and services and identify areas of strength and potential improvement

4.3 Document evaluation outcomes and use to enhance future practice

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

planned, and evaluated at least 4 different ceremonies, including both funerals and memorials

written and evaluated at least 4 eulogies

presented funeral or memorial ceremonies using presentation techniques suited to those ceremonies for at least 2 of the following situations, including the delivery of at least 1 eulogy

death of a young person

an unexpected accidental death

an older person.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations for the conduct of funeral and memorial ceremonies, and how these apply in individual practice

codes of practice, including professional funeral services industry parameters and protocols in dealing with the bereaved and the deceased

duty of care

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

funeral celebrant role in the ceremony and civil celebrant role in providing an inclusive ceremony

roles and responsibilities of funeral services personnel and external contractors and agencies and working within these

potential differences between the celebrant’s role in funerals and memorial services

history, current practices and changing attitudes to dying and death care in Australia

physiology of dying and death – basic processes and time frames

the process of how a person is treated from the point of death until burial or care/dispersal of their remains/ashes, if the body is cremated, and relationship with the celebrant’s involvement

social, religious and cultural differences and traditions that impact on funeral and memorial ceremonies, including

burial and interment

disposal of human remains

traditions related to loss and grief

historical, current and emerging options that families have for

preparing for and dealing with death

place and timing of the ceremony

disposal of the body

challenges in working with bereaved families and friends and defence mechanisms of the bereaved, differing perceptions and experiences of the deceased, dealing with unfinished business, offering support and hope whilst honouring the loss and grief of the bereaved, for both close family, friends and others

different structures and features of funeral and memorial ceremonies, including

burial

interment

cremation

entombment

placing or scattering of ashes

committal style

types of practical considerations for funeral ceremonies, including

potential time restrictions and options

venue constraints and options

requirements for communication with funeral services personnel

resources used when conducting funeral/memorial ceremonies to bring consciousness to the sense of loss and thankfulness for the life lived

poetry and prose (secular and religious)

the placing of special personal effects with the deceased

photographs

use of music

audiovisual

choice and placement of flowers

use of lighting

placement of candles

inclusion of other speakers or readers

ceremony programs

ways to use the ceremony to celebrate and honour the life of the deceased

public speaking and presentation techniques, and how these may be used and adapted for funeral and memorial services

role and importance of evaluation, including:

how to incorporate evaluation into practice

techniques for obtaining feedback from clients

techniques and process for self-evaluation

importance of self-care, and self-care strategies.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including information about the deceased

modelling of industry operating conditions, including groups of people to whom the ceremony/memorial is delivered.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Plan funeral and memorial ceremonies

1.1 Accept referrals for funerals and memorials according to professional boundaries and protocols

1.2 Identify and confirm practical ceremony arrangements, requirements and limitations through liaison with funeral services and other personnel

1.3 Provide accurate and current information to clients about ceremony options

1.4 Use communication that acknowledges and respects client loss and grief issues

2. Develop personalised funeral and memorial ceremony content

2.1 Gather information about the deceased in a sensitive manner as a basis for ceremony content

2.2 Identify key loss and grief related issues required for input of the celebrant at various points in the ceremony.

2.3 Reflect on and use information provided about the deceased to develop ceremonial elements

2.4 Develop eulogy or integrate life story into ceremony based on client wishes and information

2.5 Refine and finalise content in consultation with client

2.6 Identify and organise required resources

3. Present funeral and memorial ceremonies

3.1 Liaise with other service providers at the ceremony to support smooth running of ceremony

3.2 Facilitate and lead the orderly progression of the ceremony according to the ceremony design and provide clear directions as required

3.3 Present the ceremony as agreed using presentation techniques suited to the nature of the occasion

3.4 Include ceremony participants according to agreed ceremony arrangements

4. Evaluate funeral/memorial ceremonies

4.1 Seek feedback from clients at an appropriate time about services provided

4.2 Reflect on own performance and services and identify areas of strength and potential improvement

4.3 Document evaluation outcomes and use to enhance future practice

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

planned, and evaluated at least 4 different ceremonies, including both funerals and memorials

written and evaluated at least 4 eulogies

presented funeral or memorial ceremonies using presentation techniques suited to those ceremonies for at least 2 of the following situations, including the delivery of at least 1 eulogy

death of a young person

an unexpected accidental death

an older person.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations for the conduct of funeral and memorial ceremonies, and how these apply in individual practice

codes of practice, including professional funeral services industry parameters and protocols in dealing with the bereaved and the deceased

duty of care

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

funeral celebrant role in the ceremony and civil celebrant role in providing an inclusive ceremony

roles and responsibilities of funeral services personnel and external contractors and agencies and working within these

potential differences between the celebrant’s role in funerals and memorial services

history, current practices and changing attitudes to dying and death care in Australia

physiology of dying and death – basic processes and time frames

the process of how a person is treated from the point of death until burial or care/dispersal of their remains/ashes, if the body is cremated, and relationship with the celebrant’s involvement

social, religious and cultural differences and traditions that impact on funeral and memorial ceremonies, including

burial and interment

disposal of human remains

traditions related to loss and grief

historical, current and emerging options that families have for

preparing for and dealing with death

place and timing of the ceremony

disposal of the body

challenges in working with bereaved families and friends and defence mechanisms of the bereaved, differing perceptions and experiences of the deceased, dealing with unfinished business, offering support and hope whilst honouring the loss and grief of the bereaved, for both close family, friends and others

different structures and features of funeral and memorial ceremonies, including

burial

interment

cremation

entombment

placing or scattering of ashes

committal style

types of practical considerations for funeral ceremonies, including

potential time restrictions and options

venue constraints and options

requirements for communication with funeral services personnel

resources used when conducting funeral/memorial ceremonies to bring consciousness to the sense of loss and thankfulness for the life lived

poetry and prose (secular and religious)

the placing of special personal effects with the deceased

photographs

use of music

audiovisual

choice and placement of flowers

use of lighting

placement of candles

inclusion of other speakers or readers

ceremony programs

ways to use the ceremony to celebrate and honour the life of the deceased

public speaking and presentation techniques, and how these may be used and adapted for funeral and memorial services

role and importance of evaluation, including:

how to incorporate evaluation into practice

techniques for obtaining feedback from clients

techniques and process for self-evaluation

importance of self-care, and self-care strategies.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including information about the deceased

modelling of industry operating conditions, including groups of people to whom the ceremony/memorial is delivered.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
 
Accept referrals for funerals and memorials according to professional boundaries and protocols 
Identify and confirm practical ceremony arrangements, requirements and limitations through liaison with funeral services and other personnel 
Provide accurate and current information to clients about ceremony options 
Use communication that acknowledges and respects client loss and grief issues 
Gather information about the deceased in a sensitive manner as a basis for ceremony content 
Identify key loss and grief related issues required for input of the celebrant at various points in the ceremony. 
Reflect on and use information provided about the deceased to develop ceremonial elements 
Develop eulogy or integrate life story into ceremony based on client wishes and information 
Refine and finalise content in consultation with client 
Identify and organise required resources 
Liaise with other service providers at the ceremony to support smooth running of ceremony 
Facilitate and lead the orderly progression of the ceremony according to the ceremony design and provide clear directions as required 
Present the ceremony as agreed using presentation techniques suited to the nature of the occasion 
Include ceremony participants according to agreed ceremony arrangements 
Seek feedback from clients at an appropriate time about services provided 
 
Document evaluation outcomes and use to enhance future practice 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CHCCEL008 - Plan, present and evaluate funeral and memorial ceremonies
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

CHCCEL008 - Plan, present and evaluate funeral and memorial ceremonies

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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