Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify funeral needs and make appropriate funeral arrangements. It applies to funeral directing staff whose primary role includes arranging funerals locally, interstate or overseas. It involves working autonomously and coordinating the work of others and 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. Identify funeral needs. | 1.1 Consult client to determine funeral service location and identify special requirements. 1.2 Explain range and cost of funeral arrangements to client. 1.3 Offer option of viewing the deceased and explain relevant guidelines. 1.4 Confirm funeral arrangements with client. |
2. Carry out funeral arrangements. | 2.1 Collaborate with relevant funeral personnel to negotiate funeral and burial or cremation scheduling arrangements. 2.2 Liaise with appropriate contractors and agencies to determine their needs and requirements. 2.3 Consult with client to finalise and confirm funeral arrangements. 2.4 Identify and organise required resources. 2.5 Brief associated staff members on funeral arrangements and their roles and responsibilities. |
3. Review and finalise funeral arrangements. | 3.1 Prepare and complete documentation in consultation with client and obtain client’s endorsement. 3.2 Receive and review completed funeral documentation. 3.3 Confirm costs and payment arrangements. 3.4 Maintain contact with family to ensure changes to arrangements are identified and addressed. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
identify, organise and schedule funeral arrangements that meet client needs accurately
liaise with funeral and external personnel to identify and organise required aspects of funeral
deal with contingencies in organising and scheduling burials or cremations
communicate with the bereaved according to funeral services industry parameters and protocols.
Evidence of performance of arranging funerals of diverse client needs 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:
special funeral considerations and requirements, including but not restricted to:
social, cultural and religious considerations, requirements and rituals
viewing
vigil
prayers
dressing
blessing of the deceased
guidelines that are communicated to the client in the event of viewing, including:
legal requirements
embalming technique
condition of deceased
geographical location, including special location of funeral
available time
roles and responsibilities of the range of funeral services personnel and external contractors and agencies involved in funeral arrangements
resources required for funeral arrangements
documentation required for funeral arrangements, including:
funeral arranger’s briefing notes
identification of body
death and funeral notices
memorial book
contract for funeral service
clothing and jewellery receipts
casket or coffin orders
application for burial or cremation
order for cremation
permit for cremation
embalming form and details
pre
professional funeral services industry parameters in dealing with the deceased and the bereaved
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to consumer protection, and funeral arrangements and associated documentation
workplace policies and procedures regarding arranging funerals and burial procedures.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a funeral home, cemetery or crematoria workplace:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
computers, communication technology and software programs to coordinate funeral arrangements
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 funeral services personnel and 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