This unit applies to funeral home staff and involves working as part of a team. It may involve directing or supervising others.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Prepare to transfer coffin or casket.

1.1

Collect and complete documentation to transfer coffin or casket.

1.2

Liaise with appropriate staff to identify transfer requirements.

1.3

Identify, locate and prepare appropriate transfer vehicle.

1.4

Identify, locate and prepare appropriate transfer equipment.

1.5

Identify and use personal protective equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2

Transfer coffin or casket.

2.1

Determine most appropriate method of moving coffin or casket.

2.2

Move coffin or casket using appropriate manual handling techniques and transfer it to trolley or other appropriate apparatus according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2.3

Transfer coffin or casket to and from appropriate vehicle according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3

Reinstate transfer vehicle and equipment.

3.1

Return transfer vehicle to correct location.

3.2

Clean transfer vehicle and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures.

3.3

Return transfer equipment according to workplace policies and procedures.

Required skills

safe manual handling techniques to transfer coffins and caskets

appropriate use of personal protective equipment

communication skills, including active listening and questioning techniques to identify and confirm transfer requirements

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

literacy and numeracy skills to interpret and complete required documentation and to interpret maps and street signage

organisational and time management skills to complete required tasks according to customer requirements and workplace policies and procedures.

Required knowledge

social, cultural and religious differences in relation to transfer of coffins and caskets

workplace policies and procedures applicable to transfer of coffins and caskets

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS and the transfer or coffins and caskets

appropriate dress standards in line with workplace policy

operating and maintenance requirements of vehicles and equipment

professional funeral services industry parameters for dealing with the deceased and the bereaved.

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 interpret and complete transfer documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements

the selection and preparation of transfer vehicle and relevant equipment and safe and efficient transfer of coffin or casket

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

use of safe manual handling techniques

transferring coffins and caskets 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 services facilities, such as funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoria, where coffins and caskets are moved and transferred

access to coffins and caskets

access to transfer equipment and funeral transfer vehicle

access to relevant documentation for a range of transfer requirements, such as transfer arrangements, maps and directions.

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 preparing and transferring coffins or caskets to correct location and reinstating transfer vehicle and equipment

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant procedures with regard to transferring coffins and caskets

review of workplace documents completed by candidate

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:

SIFFNL002A Assist with the conduct of a funeral

SIFTVM001A Drive funeral vehicles.

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.

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.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.

Documentation may include:

Death Certificate or Certificate of Life Extinct

notification of life extinct

coroner's warrant

medical report

transfer instructions

waterproof identification tag

coffin or casket nameplate

list of personal property of the deceased

receipts for jewellery and other valuables

mortuary occupancy register.

Transfer may include:

between place of death and funeral home

within a funeral home

between funeral home branches

between funeral home and location of funeral, burial or cremation

from one funeral, burial or cremation location to another.

Appropriate staff may include:

manager

supervisor.

Transfer requirements may include:

time of transfer

social, religious or cultural requirements.

Transfer vehicle may include:

suitably equipped transfer vehicle.

Transfer equipment may include:

lifting aids

trolley

stretcher.

Personal protective equipment may include:

disposable gloves

heavy duty gloves

protective overgarments

overshoes

waterproof aprons.

Relevant legislation may include:

OHS

Privacy Acts

federal transportation regulations

Public Health Act

cemetery Acts and by-laws

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

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.

Manual handling techniques may include:

single person lift

multiple person lift

assisted with manual lifting device

assisted with mechanical lifting device.

Sector

Funeral Services

Burials and Cremations

This unit contains employability skills.