Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research, design and write ceremonies and address associated operational requirements.
This unit applies to celebrants, and to different types of ceremonies, both public and private.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Research ceremonial components | 1.1 Evaluate main components of the ceremony in relation to its purpose 1.2 Identify credible sources of traditional and contemporary information about ceremony and ceremonial components relevant to client preferences 1.3 Assess information and select ceremonial components, elements or symbols best suited to client preferences, ceremony purpose and target audience 1.4 Generate ceremony ideas based on research undertaken and own existing resources and ideas database 1.5 Collate and organise ceremonial information in a manner that supports current and future ceremonial planning |
2. Design ceremonies | 2.1 Integrate client values, culture and ideas by involving the client in ceremony design 2.2 Match the ceremonial components, elements or symbols to the ceremony purpose and target group 2.3 Identify and integrate practical planning and operational implications into ceremony design 2.4 Confirm roles of ceremony participants or of other service providers as part of the design process 2.5 Identify and address legal requirements in ceremony design 2.6 Document the ceremony design and seek client confirmation |
3. Write ceremony content | 3.1 Elicit key information and ideas from content researched and agreed with the client 3.2 Apply ceremony design principles to create format, structure and sequence for the ceremony content based on client preferences 3.3 Use language suited to client preferences and profile, and the nature of the ceremony audience 3.4 Use creative and other writing techniques to enhance ceremony content 3.5 Integrate storytelling and biography into ceremony content according to client preferences 3.6 Refine and finalise content in consultation with client |
4. Address operational arrangements | 4.1 Create an operational plan for the ceremony that includes clear actions, timelines and responsibilities for the celebrant 4.2 Identify and organise resources and other ceremony requirements for the agreed ceremony 4.3 Organise and confirm rehearsal details with clients and others according to ceremony needs 4.4 Develop and confirm with client ceremony contingency plans suited to the agreed ceremony 4.5 Document operational requirements and provide information to clients and others as required |
5. Extend and expand own knowledge base | 5.1 Maintain and enhance own knowledge of ceremony through ongoing research 5.2 Identify and respond to professional development opportunities 5.3 Develop and adjust work practices as part of ongoing practice development |
Evidence of Performance
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:
researched and
researched and identified at least 30 different ceremonial elements or examples of music, poetry and prose to meet identified client needs and preferences
created and written in full 3 ceremonies (1 each of love, life and loss) in response to identified client needs and preferences, taking into consideration various aspects of ceremony structure.
Evidence of Knowledge
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 (national, state/territory, local) for ceremony creation, and how these apply in individual practice:
copyright and intellectual property (differences between Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) and
discrimination, including sexism, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, ageism,
insurance requirements and impact on ceremony design
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
work role boundaries – responsibilities, scope and limitations of the celebrant in the ceremony
work health and safety
different types of ceremonies for main types of transitions and celebrations for individuals, couples, groups and communities
aspects of ritual and ceremony including:
structure of ceremony
purpose of ceremony for clients and others
public role, legal importance and benefits of different kinds of ceremony to society
ceremonies as rites of passage
how ceremonies signpost a culture and the expression of ceremony and ritual across different cultures
different ceremonial elements and their impact for different individuals and groups
history of religious and secular ceremonies, including knowledge of the evolving role of the celebrant in Australian culture in 21st Century
function and importance of storytelling in times of change, and in particular human life stages from birth to death
client-centred practice as the focus for ceremony design, what this means in practice and the needs of different target groups in celebrancy practice
basic knowledge of family structures and dynamics as applicable to celebrancy work
broad knowledge of stages of human development and psychology of change and its application to ceremony design
sources of information for ceremony design, including those for the following ceremonies of love, life and loss:
poetry
prose
music
ceremonial symbols
creative considerations for enhancing ceremony, including:
use of symbols and metaphors, their importance for integration of complex ideas and meanings and relationship with ceremonial elements
how to analyse the
storytelling
developing a life story from ‘whole’ person perspective
relationships between ceremonial elements and the human senses
ceremony as art
use of props
the difference between
historical use of symbols, including examples of the use and meaning of symbols related to elements (earth, fire, air, water), colour, flowers,
the ethics and practicalities of using plants, animals, children and adults as symbols in ceremonies
first principles for
key components of ceremony, and how these can
acknowledging and honouring the
appreciating and honouring the
acknowledging the need for
encouraging family and community
how to structure a ceremony and key components of ceremony and its theatrical elements, and how these can be integrated into ceremony design, including:
the warm-up (and group bonding), entrance, welcome, introduction (including statement of purpose) legalities if relevant
story telling, reflection, heightening the ‘gap/transition’; acknowledging and honouring both loss and gain, especially appreciating and honouring the contributions of the person, relationship or function to one’s life family, or community
preparation for the next stage – life coaching, inspiration, and support
the speaking one’s truth, the promises, commitments (vows) explicit or implicit
group affirmation and support encouraging family and community support, especially for those who are grieving.
the capturing of memories, preparation for the next stage
announcements (i.e. after-ceremony requirements, refreshments), conclusion
the exit
communication, interviewing and negotiation strategies
communication and personality styles – differences in ways people receive and give
principles and techniques of writing as one form of communication, including:
clear and meaningful
concise
consistent style
correct grammar
clear and logical order
differences and strategies required when writing ceremonies and other material for presentation and performance by vocal means, including words per page estimates, time
writing for the needs of specific audiences, and how this varies depending on communication media in a celebrancy context
spelling and grammar checking processes for ceremony drafts
writing styles and their application to different ceremonies:
conversational
formal
dramatic
humourous
plain English
trends to include ‘stories’
strategies for improving writing skills
operational considerations and constraints for ceremony design:
scope of role of celebrant in overall ceremony
role of participants
location
duration
season and climate
other event components
other services providers
rehearsal requirements
resources and equipment
planning techniques and formats
techniques and opportunities for extending own knowledge of ceremony
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
documented client needs and preferences on which ceremony design is based
ceremony information sources
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
interactions with other people
scenarios that involve problem solving.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.