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.