Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to arrange and oversee viewing of a deceased person in a manner conducive to the religious, social, cultural and emotional needs of the family. It applies to funeral home staff working autonomously with a high level of responsibility and who liaise with other staff. It involves ensuring that all work is carried out 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. Assess viewing needs. | 1.1 Liaise with family of the deceased to identify viewing requests and requirements. 1.2 Communicate viewing guidelines to relatives. |
2. Arrange viewing of the deceased person. | 2.1 Collaborate with mortuary personnel to arrange appropriate preparation and transfer times of body for viewing. 2.2 Liaise with appropriate funeral and associated personnel to arrange a viewing time and location. 2.3 Determine viewing details and information and inform the family. 2.4 Establish boundaries for the conduct of viewing and inform the family. 2.5 Arrange viewing area according to social, cultural and religious requirements and family’s instructions. 2.6 Position coffin or casket correctly for viewing the deceased person. 2.7 Provide first aid facilities to deal with intense cases of grief reactions that require care. |
3. Oversee viewing of the deceased person. | 3.1 Meet and escort family to viewing area at appointed time. 3.2 Explain proceedings to the family and answer questions that may arise. 3.3 Oversee viewing discreetly and respond to additional family requests or grief reactions. 3.4 Enforce time restraints sensitively as required. 3.5 Escort family from viewing area at appropriate time. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
determine family viewing requirements, liaise with family and relevant personnel to arrange and oversee viewings that meet family, legislative and workplace requirements
use sensitive communication, according to funeral services industry parameters and protocols, with the bereaved at all times and sensitively respond to additional family requests and concerns during the viewing.
Evidence of performance on five or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge of:
concept and sociological principles associate with the viewing of the deceased
viewing requests and requirements, including but not restricted to:
public or private viewing
placing special personal effects with the deceased
use of music
placement of candles
choice and placement of flowers
photographs
time required between death and burial or cremation
specific coffin or casket design
special locations or time
social, cultural and religious considerations:
funeral and mourning dress standards
funeral rites
cultural rituals to assist grieving
community support
duration of mourning
religious denomination
spiritual or cultural symbolism
public profile of the deceased
aesthetics
taboos regarding death
access and attitude to grief counselling
viewing guidelines to inform the client, including:
range of legal requirements
embalming technique
condition of deceased
geographical location
special locations or time
workplace policies and procedures regarding the conduct of viewings including the provision of first aid
professional funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased and the bereaved.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a funeral services workplace where viewings can take place:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
first aid facilities
computers, communication technology and software programs to arrange viewings
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 clients
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
Funeral Directing
Competency Field
Funeral Operations