Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify general body preparation requirements for each case and prepare the mortuary and required instruments accordingly. It applies to funeral home staff working autonomously with a high level of responsibility and according to 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. Complete documentation requirements for body preparation. | 1.1 Obtain completed documentation and authorisations from family prior to undertaking body preparation. 1.2 Obtain mortuary order for final disposition and facial considerations. 1.3 Complete receipts and other documents according to relevant legislation. |
2. Identify scope of body preparation | 2.1 Review documentation to identify required extent of body preparation for each case and any specific social, cultural and religious requirements. 2.2 Liaise with relevant personnel to clarify any questions regarding extent of body preparation required. 2.3 Identify specific instruments, apparatus and materials required to perform body preparation. |
3. Prepare mortuary room and equipment. | 3.1 Monitor and maintain appropriate mortuary ventilation and plumbing requirements. 3.2 Identify, access and maintain adequate light source. 3.3 Prepare mortuary room and assemble and prepare body preparation instruments, apparatus and materials. 3.4 Prepare and use personal protective equipment. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
complete documentation requirements prior to undertaking body preparation
identify general body preparation requirements for each case and prepare the mortuary and required instruments accordingly.
Evidence of performance of determining body preparation requirements of different cases 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:
documentation used for determining body preparation requirements, including but not restricted to:
authorisation for basic mortuary preparation and embalming
signed medical certificate
waterproof identification tag fixed securely to body
list of personal property, including clothing and shoes for dressing the deceased
receipts for jewellery and other valuables
special instructions for body preparation and presentation
schedule for viewing or funeral booking
level of body preparation that may be required, including:
basic cleansing and disinfecting
basic preparation for viewing by family
temporary restoration and preservation of autopsied bodies
temporary restoration and preservation of autopsied or non-autopsied bodies
permanent restoration and preservation of autopsied or non autopsied bodies for repatriation
social, cultural and religious requirements in relation to body preparation requirements, including but not restricted to:
funeral and mourning dress standards
gender of body preparation personnel
time required between death and burial or cremation
orientation of the deceased person
methods of permissible body preparation
mortuary instruments, apparatus and materials required for preparing the mortuary room
workplace policies and procedures for use and preparation of mortuary facilities, instruments, apparatus and materials
requirements for preparing the mortuary facility
funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased, including social cultural and religious requirements considerations
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relevant to safe performance of body preparation procedures.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a mortuary workplace:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
body preparation tools, apparatus and materials and personal protective equipment
documentations that includes authorisations, medical certificates, identification, instructions and receipts
mortuary items and equipment
under industry operating 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 relevant personnel and family
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
Embalming
Competency Field
Mortuary Work and Embalming