Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SIFFNL003A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Arrange funerals

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SIFFNL003A - Arrange funerals
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify funeral needs and make appropriate funeral arrangements.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to funeral directing staff whose primary role includes arranging funerals. It requires the application of communication, planning and problem-solving skills to liaise with clients and funeral and external personnel to identify, organise and schedule funerals. It involves working autonomously and coordinating the work of others.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil
Competency Field Funeral Operations
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Identify funeral needs.
  • Consult client to determine funeral service location and identify special requirements.
  • Explain range and cost of funeral arrangements to client according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
  • Offer option of viewing the deceased and explain relevant guidelines.
  • Confirm funeral arrangements with client according to workplace policies and procedures.
       
Element: Arrange funeral.
  • Liaise with relevant funeral personnel to negotiate funeral and burial or cremation scheduling arrangements.
  • Liaise with appropriate personnel to determine their needs and requirements.
  • Consult with client to finalise and confirm funeral arrangements.
  • Identify and organise required resources according to workplace policies and procedures.
  • Brief associated staff members on funeral arrangements and their roles and responsibilities.
       
Element: Review and finalise funeral arrangements.
  • Prepare and complete relevant documentation in consultation with client and obtain client's endorsement.
  • Receive and review completed funeral documentation according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
  • Maintain contact with family to ensure changes to arrangements are identified and addressed.
       


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 accurately identify, organise and schedule funeral arrangements that meet client needs

ability to liaise with funeral and external personnel to identify and organise required aspects of funeral and to deal with contingencies in organising and scheduling burials or cremations

sensitive communication with the bereaved according to funeral services industry parameters and protocols

arranging funerals 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:

access to appropriate computers, communication technology and software programs to coordinate funeral arrangements

consultation with funeral services personnel, such as cemetery or crematorium staff

interaction with diverse client types to allow candidate to respond to range of funeral requirements and client requests

access to relevant documentation, such as funeral schedules and pricing information.

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 consulting clients and liaising with funeral and external personnel to identify, organise and schedule funeral arrangements

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant procedures regarding funeral arranging

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:

SIFFNL004A Arrange and oversee viewings.

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, assignment, 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

communication skills, including clear and direct communication and active listening and questioning techniques, using language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences and using and interpreting non-verbal communication to identify and confirm client requirements

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

problem-solving skills to deal with contingencies when scheduling burials or cremations

teamwork skills to consult with colleagues to identify and organise required resources

literacy and numeracy skills to accurately complete and review relevant documentation

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

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

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to consumer protection, and funeral arrangements and associated documentation

workplace policies and procedures regarding arranging funerals.

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.

Client may include:

immediate family

extended family

friends

designated people.

Funeral service location may include:

local

intrastate

interstate

overseas

at sea.

Special requirements may include:

social, cultural and religious considerations, requirements and rituals, which may include:

deceased person's country of origin

funeral and mourning dress standards

funeral rites

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

geographical location of funeral

taboos regarding death

text readings or scriptures

speakers and readers

placing special personal effects with the deceased person

use of music

placement of candles

choice and placement of flowers

photographs

specific coffin or casket design

orientation of coffin

viewing

vigil

prayers

dressing

blessing of the deceased.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures

security procedures.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

cemeteries' Acts

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration

consumer protection

Coroner's Act

intrastate, interstate and overseas repatriation regulations

Trade Practices Act.

Relevant guidelines may relate to:

legal requirements

embalming technique

condition of deceased

geographical location, including special location of funeral

available time.

Funeral arrangements may include:

time

date

location

viewings

transport requirements

special requirements

catering

audiovisual recording of funeral

music and visual presentations.

Relevant funeral personnel may include:

funeral director

funeral arranger

transfer staff

transportation services

mortuary technician

embalmer

cemetery representatives

church or chapel coordinator

coffin or casket manufacturer.

Appropriate personnel may include:

clergy or celebrant

organist

choir

florist

caterer

printer

hospital or nursing home staff

stonemason

legal representative

embassy officials

support groups

government regulators

registrar of births, deaths and marriages

treating doctor

coroner.

Resources may include:

selected text readings or scriptures

order of service

prayer cards

speakers or readers

personal effects

music

sound system

DVD or VCR player

lighting and candles

flowers

photographs.

Relevant documentation may include:

funeral arranger's briefing notes

identification of body

death and funeral notices

memorial book

contract for funeral service

clothing and jewellery receipts

casket or coffin orders

application for burial or cremation

order for cremation

permit for cremation

embalming form and details

pre-arrangement costing details.

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
Consult client to determine funeral service location and identify special requirements. 
Explain range and cost of funeral arrangements to client according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 
Offer option of viewing the deceased and explain relevant guidelines. 
Confirm funeral arrangements with client according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Liaise with relevant funeral personnel to negotiate funeral and burial or cremation scheduling arrangements. 
Liaise with appropriate personnel to determine their needs and requirements. 
Consult with client to finalise and confirm funeral arrangements. 
Identify and organise required resources according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Brief associated staff members on funeral arrangements and their roles and responsibilities. 
Prepare and complete relevant documentation in consultation with client and obtain client's endorsement. 
Receive and review completed funeral documentation according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 
Maintain contact with family to ensure changes to arrangements are identified and addressed. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIFFNL003A - Arrange funerals
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

SIFFNL003A - Arrange funerals

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: