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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Elements define the essential outcomes
  2. Plan funeral and memorial ceremonies
  3. Develop personalised funeral and memorial ceremony content
  4. Present funeral and memorial ceremonies
  5. Evaluate funeral/memorial ceremonies

Performance Evidence

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.


Knowledge Evidence

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.