Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to bury coffins and caskets using appropriate lowering or lifting devices and equipment. It applies to cemetery and funeral home staff whose responsibilities include burying coffins and caskets according to client requirements, work health and safety, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for burials. | 1.1 Identify work requirements for burial. 1.2 Liaise with team members as required to establish sequencing of tasks and responsibilities of team members. |
2. Consign coffin or casket to burial location. | 2.1 Transport coffin or casket to burial location. 2.2 Place coffin or casket into position using appropriate lowering or lifting device. 2.3 Conduct burial according to client requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
select, prepare and safely use, the required equipment and lifting devices
bury coffins and caskets safely and efficiently according to work requirements and client guidelines
use safe manual handling techniques when handling coffins and caskets.
Evidence of performance of burying coffins and caskets on two or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge of:
burial procedures
considerations when planning for burying coffins and caskets, including:
time of burial
location of burial:
monumental cemeteries
lawn cemeteries
mausoleum crypts
memorial gardens
cemeteries with historical or cultural significance
at sea
transport requirements
client requirements
required staff
social, religious and cultural practices and traditions in relation to burials:
funeral rites according to religious denomination
cultural rituals to assist grieving
spiritual symbolism
burial procedures
time required between death and burial
taboos regarding death
professional funeral services industry parameters in dealing with the bereaved
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety and the conduct of burials
workplace policies and procedures regarding the conduct of burials
operating requirements of relevant lifting devices and equipment:
lowering straps
mats
scissor lift
protective restraints
manual handling techniques in relation to handling and burying coffins and caskets.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that is as industry realistic as possible. In a simulated environment, it is essential that assessment is conducted:
using suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
an environment where demonstration of skills for a range of burial requirements can be performed, including transportation of coffins or caskets from funeral service facilities to burial locations
coffins or caskets, funeral transport vehicles and lowering and lifting devices
under industry conditions where there is:
integration of tasks with possible interruptions to work typical of the job role
speed and timing requirements that reflect commercial operating conditions
interaction with team members
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those 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.
Sectors
Cemetery and Crematoria
Competency Field
Burial and Cremation Operations