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

SIFFNL007A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Conduct a funeral

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SIFFNL007A - Conduct a funeral
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct a funeral according to family requirements, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to funeral conductors and requires coordination and supervision of others and working with a high level of responsibility. It also requires the application of communication, planning and teamwork skills to conduct funerals, lead funeral processions, and review and recommend improvements to work performance of self and 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: Prepare to conduct funeral.
  • Liaise with family members to identify funeral service requirements according to workplace policies and procedures.
  • Review funeral service requirements and documentation and liaise with appropriate personnel to confirm arrangements.
  • Identify and arrange availability of required resources and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures.
  • Identify and arrange availability of required vehicles and check for serviceability, safety and presentation.
  • Identify and arrange staffing requirements according to funeral service requirements and workplace policies and procedures.
  • Liaise with lead driver to confirm funeral procedures.
  • Identify contingency procedures and inform appropriate personnel.
  • Verify identity of deceased according to workplace policies and procedures.
       
Element: Coordinate funeral.
  • Communicate with family members, mourners and colleagues according to workplace policies and procedures.
  • Monitor operation of equipment and take corrective action where required to minimise disruption to proceedings.
  • Oversee and coordinate movement of coffin or casket according to funeral service requirements, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
  • Coordinate movement of family members and mourners according to funeral service requirements and workplace policies and procedures.
       
Element: Lead funeral procession on foot.
  • Assemble funeral procession.
  • Commence procession according to predetermined signals from relevant personnel, traffic flow and safety considerations.
  • Maintain pace of funeral procession according to funeral procedures and workplace policies and procedures.
  • Enter funeral vehicle according to funeral procedures and workplace policies and procedures.
       
Element: Review conduct of funeral.
  • Review and complete funeral documentation as required.
  • Reflect on the conduct of funeral and note areas for improvement.
  • Advise appropriate personnel of outcomes and make recommendations where required according to workplace policies and procedures.
       


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 interpret client's needs, pre-determined funeral arrangements and coordinate and schedule operational details that meet these requirements

ability to liaise with funeral and external personnel to organise required aspects of funeral and to deal with contingencies in conducting a safe and efficient funeral

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

conducting 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 in an environment where funeral processions can be conducted and movement of coffins, caskets and mourners can be managed

access to coffins or caskets

access to funeral vehicles

access to resources and equipment used in the conduct of funerals.

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 conducting a funeral, including planning and supervisory requirements according to funeral service 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:

SIFFNL003A Arrange funerals.

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 to liaise with appropriate personnel, using language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences, and using and interpreting non-verbal communication to display empathy, respect and courtesy to clients

planning and organisational skills to coordinate and supervise the conduct of funerals according to client, workplace and legislative requirements

teamwork skills to liaise with and coordinate team members

problem-solving skills to recognise and deal with contingencies efficiently and discreetly, review performance and make recommendations for improvement

literacy and numeracy skills to complete and review documentation and manage time effectively

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

Required knowledge

cemetery and crematorium procedures

funeral 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 the conduct of 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.

Family members may include:

immediate family

extended family

designated people, including friends.

Funeral service requirements may include:

time

location, such as:

monumental cemeteries

lawn cemeteries

mausoleum crypts

memorial gardens

cemeteries with historical or cultural significance

crematoria

at sea

state funeral

Services funeral

destitute funeral

committal instructions, such as:

burial

entombment

cremation

timing of committal

presence of mourners

return of deceased's personal effects, such as jewellery or memorabilia

social, cultural and religious considerations, such as:

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.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

OHS

manual handling

personal presentation requirements

communication protocols

authorities and responsibilities of staff

contingency procedures

quality assurance procedures

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures

security procedures

reporting requirements

transport.

Documentation may include:

funeral arranger's briefing notes

identification of body

notification of death

medical certificate

coroner's warrant

casket or coffin orders

application for burial

application for cremation

order for cremation

permit for cremation

celebrant's instructions

embalming form and details

prearrangement costing details.

Appropriate personnel may include:

funeral director

funeral arranger

transfer staff

transportation services

mortuary technician

embalmer

cemetery representatives

church or chapel coordinator

coffin or casket manufacturer

clergy or celebrant

organist or choir

florist

caterer

hospital or nursing home staff

stonemason

legal profession

embassy officials

support groups

government regulators

registrar of births, deaths and marriages

coroner.

Resources and equipment may include:

selected text readings or scriptures

speakers or readers

personal effects

music

lighting and candles

flowers

photographs

video recording equipment

audio recording equipment

musical equipment

CD and DVD players

computer equipment

television monitors

integrated lighting and ambience control

vision mixer

electronic coffin or casket lowering equipment.

Vehicles may include:

funeral vehicles

escort vehicles.

Staffing requirements may include:

coffin or casket bearers

drivers.

Funeral procedures may include:

transport of coffin or casket

funeral procession, such as:

signals

duration and distance

required pace.

Contingency procedures may include:

fire or accident

service running over time

equipment breakdown

undelivered or incorrectly delivered flowers

incorrect or incomplete documentation

family distress

inclement weather.

Relevant legislation may include:

OHS

Traffic Acts and regulations.

Relevant personnel may include:

funeral conductor

clergy

celebrant

family member.

Areas for improvement may include:

staff performance

transport coordination

contingency planning

safety procedures

time management.

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 family members to identify funeral service requirements according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Review funeral service requirements and documentation and liaise with appropriate personnel to confirm arrangements. 
Identify and arrange availability of required resources and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Identify and arrange availability of required vehicles and check for serviceability, safety and presentation. 
Identify and arrange staffing requirements according to funeral service requirements and workplace policies and procedures. 
Liaise with lead driver to confirm funeral procedures. 
Identify contingency procedures and inform appropriate personnel. 
Verify identity of deceased according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Communicate with family members, mourners and colleagues according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Monitor operation of equipment and take corrective action where required to minimise disruption to proceedings. 
Oversee and coordinate movement of coffin or casket according to funeral service requirements, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 
Coordinate movement of family members and mourners according to funeral service requirements and workplace policies and procedures. 
Assemble funeral procession. 
Commence procession according to predetermined signals from relevant personnel, traffic flow and safety considerations. 
Maintain pace of funeral procession according to funeral procedures and workplace policies and procedures. 
Enter funeral vehicle according to funeral procedures and workplace policies and procedures. 
Review and complete funeral documentation as required. 
Reflect on the conduct of funeral and note areas for improvement. 
Advise appropriate personnel of outcomes and make recommendations where required according to workplace policies and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIFFNL007A - Conduct 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

SIFFNL007A - Conduct 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: