SIFFFNL007
Arrange international repatriations


Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to arrange and oversee the body preparation and transport arrangements required to transfer deceased persons from overseas to Australia or from Australia to overseas. It applies to funeral home staff whose responsibilities include the transportation of the decreased and involves working autonomously with a high level of responsibility and coordinating and supervising the work of others. 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. Coordinate repatriation of deceased persons to Australia.

1.1 Confirm and document full consignee details.

1.2 Liaise with consignee to confirm requirements of consignee and Australian regulatory authorities.

1.3 Confirm date and cause of death where possible and arrange for health authority certification related to communicable diseases.

1.4 Liaise with Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) or appropriate body to gain approval for repatriation prior to departure of the body from its originating location.

1.5 Arrange for appropriately endorsed death and embalming certificates, with English translations as necessary, to accompany human remains.

1.6 Liaise with consignee to identify and confirm full flight details.

1.7 Determine and confirm transfer arrangements of human remains.

2. Arrange preparation of deceased persons for international repatriation.

2.1 Identify correct human remains to be transported and ensure corroboration against body labels or mortuary records.

2.2 Acquire and confirm required documentation of death according to relevant legislation and carrier requirements.

2.3 Liaise with family of deceased to explain and confirm transfer procedures and requirements.

2.4 Liaise with funeral directing staff at repatriation location to confirm transfer procedures and requirements.

2.5 Arrange full or partial embalming of non-cremated remains as required.

2.6 Determine and arrange preparation requirements of human remains for transport according to relevant legislation, regulations and industry guidelines.

3. Make transport arrangements for international repatriations.

3.1 Identify and document transfer location and consignee and transit director details.

3.2 Identify and liaise with carrier to make transfer arrangements.

3.3 Notify consignee and transit director of transfer arrangements.

3.4 Organise and complete required documentation.

3.5 Arrange for required documentation to be forwarded to relevant agencies.

3.6 Arrange for transfer of shipping container to carrier at correct time.

3.7 Review arrangements and documentation prior to departure.

Evidence of Performance

Evidence of the ability to:

assess, confirm and coordinate the body preparations and international transport of human remains and accurately complete and process documentation as required by country of transfer

communicate with family, funeral personnel and transport carriers to ensure that repatriation of human remains is conducted safely, efficiently and sensitively.

Evidence of performance 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:

federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to international repatriation of human remains

industry guidelines for body preparation, sealing of human remains and shipping containers

carrier options and requirements for air, rail, motor vehicle and ship, including:

separate consignment

packaging requirements for cremated remains

packaging requirements for embalmed and non-embalmed remains

signed declarations

quarantine declarations

refrigeration requirements

timeframes for receipt of remains

body preparation requirements, including:

urn and outer packaging for cremated remains

packaging materials and methods for embalmed and non-embalmed remains

transfer shells

labelling

documentation requirement for transport, including:

certified copy of Death Certificate

locally issued burial or transit permit

embalmer’s affidavit

shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods

non-contagious disease declaration

full flight itinerary

Australian passport

next of kin information

receipts for jewellery and other valuables

list of personal property of the deceased person

sources of information on legislative and operational requirements for international repatriation of human remains

international electronic communication procedures

workplace policies and procedures and industry guidelines

funeral services industry protocols for dealing with the deceased and the bereaved.


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:

computers, communication technology and software programs to coordinate repatriations

documentation, including transport documentation and schedules

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 family and transport carriers relevant personnel

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