Assessor Resource

SIFFNL002A
Assist with the conduct of a funeral

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to funeral home assistant staff working under supervision as part of a team. It requires the application of teamwork and communication skills to assist with defined aspects of a funeral.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assist a funeral director to conduct funerals, including bearing coffins or caskets.

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

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to identify and follows funeral service requirements and instructions promptly

ability to bear bears coffin or casket using safe manual handling techniques and to use lifting and lowering devices

use of sensitive and empathetic verbal and non-verbal communication with mourners and clear and accurate communication with colleagues

assisting with the conduct of a funeral on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills within and between funeral service facilities, such as funeral homes and cemeteries

interaction with funeral director and other relevant personnel

access to coffins or caskets

access to lifting and lowering equipment

access to equipment and resources, such as sound system.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate assisting with conduct of a funeral, including coffin or casket bearing according to work requirements and relevant policies, procedures and legislation

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures regarding funerals

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SIFBCR002A Transfer coffins and caskets.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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.

Required skills

safe manual handling techniques

communication skills, including clear and direct communication to liaise appropriately with appropriate personnel, using culturally appropriate language and concepts to display empathy, respect and courtesy to clients

teamwork skills to consult with colleagues to identify and carry out associated duties, including coffin or casket bearing

literacy and numeracy skills to identify and interpret work requirements

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

organisational and self-management skills to complete required tasks according to client requirements, workplace policies and procedures, and required timeframes

customer service skills, including ability to maintain confidentiality of client information.

Required knowledge

burial procedures

social, religious and cultural differences and traditions

professional funeral services industry parameters in dealing with the deceased and the bereaved

workplace policies and procedures regarding conduct of funerals

operating requirements of relevant lifting devices and equipment.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Appropriate personnel may include:

manager

supervisor

transfer workers

funeral arranger

funeral conductor

funeral assistants

drivers.

Work requirements may include:

time of funeral

location of funeral, such as:

monumental cemeteries

lawn cemeteries

mausoleum crypts

memorial gardens

cemeteries with historical or cultural significance

at sea

social, cultural and religious considerations, such as:

the deceased person's country of origin

funeral and mourning dress standards

funeral rites

full rites of services

cultural rituals to assist grieving

duration of mourning

wakes

religious denomination

spiritual symbolism

public profile of the deceased

burial procedures

time required between death and burial or cremation

taboos regarding death

text readings or scriptures

placing special personal effects with the deceased person

specific coffin or casket design

orientation of coffin

transport requirements

client requirements

required staff.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

OHS

manual handling

personal presentation

communication protocols

coffin or casket bearing protocols, including:

pace

signalling

discreet communication

authorities and responsibilities of staff

quality assurance procedures

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures

security procedures

required equipment

transport.

Resources and equipment may include:

selected text readings or scriptures

sound system

lighting and candles

flowers

photographs

lifting and lowering aids and devices

mats

protective restraints

church trucks.

Team member responsibilities may include:

driving the hearse

driving the family

assisting at ceremony

assisting to lower coffin or casket at gravesite.

Coffin or casket bearing requirements may include:

number of bearers

special requirements associated with burial location, including access.

Coffin or casket bearing methods and procedures may include:

role of each team member

position of each team member

shoulder carry

arms length or waist level carry

wheeling.

Family members may include:

immediate family

extended family

designated people, including friends.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

OHS

cemetery Acts

local government by-laws.

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
Liaise with appropriate personnel to identify work requirements according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Identify and obtain required resources and equipment and check for serviceability. 
Consult with team members as required to establish sequencing of tasks and team member responsibilities. 
Liaise with appropriate personnel to identify coffin or casket bearing requirements. 
Consult with team members to identify required coffin or casket bearing methods and procedures. 
Accompany coffin or casket to burial location. 
Assist with conduct of funeral procession as instructed by appropriate personnel. 
Communicate with family members, mourners and colleagues to facilitate efficient conduct of funeral according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Move coffin or casket according to predetermined methods and procedures, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 
Respond to instructions from appropriate personnel according to workplace policies and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIFFNL002A - Assist with the conduct of a funeral
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:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SIFFNL002A - Assist with the conduct of a funeral

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:

Date: