SIFFNL005A
Arrange intrastate and interstate repatriations

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assess, confirm, arrange and oversee the body preparation and transport arrangements required to transfer embalmed, un-embalmed and cremated human remains intrastate or interstate within Australia.

Application

This unit applies to funeral home staff and involves working autonomously with a high level of responsibility and coordinating and supervising the work of others.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Arrange preparation of the deceased person.

1.1

Identify correct human remains to be transported and ensure corroboration according to workplace policies and procedures and industry guidelines.

1.2

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

1.3

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

1.4

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

1.5

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

1.6

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

2

Make transport arrangements.

2.1

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

2.2

Identify and liaise with appropriate transport company to make transfer arrangements according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.3

Notify consignee and transit director of transfer arrangements according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation and regulations.

2.4

Organise and complete required documentation according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation and regulations.

2.5

Arrange for required documentation to be forwarded to relevant agencies according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation and regulations.

2.6

Arrange for transfer of shipping container to the transport company at correct time.

2.7

Review arrangements and documentation prior to departure.

Required Skills

Required skills

planning and organisational skills to ensure that required documentation and transport schedules are accurately arranged and confirmed

communication skills, including clear and direct communication and active listening and questioning techniques to arrange and confirm transport arrangements and notify family of the deceased, consignee and transit director

literacy and numeracy skills to interpret complex legislative and operational requirements, complete required documentation, and arrange and confirm transport schedules

problem-solving skills to deal with contingencies.

Required knowledge

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to intrastate or interstate transportation of human remains

sources of information on legislative and operational requirements for intrastate or interstate transportation of human remains

transport options and requirements

workplace policies and procedures and industry guidelines

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

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to assess, confirm and coordinate the body preparation and transport of human remains and accurately complete and process relevant documentation

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

knowledge of regulations for the inter and intrastate transportation of remains within Australia

arranging intrastate and interstate repatriations on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

appropriate computers, communication technology and software programs to coordinate repatriations

relevant documentation, such as transport documentation and schedules.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate identifying and completing required documentation and making and confirming required arrangements

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant legislative, regulatory and industry procedures

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SIFFNL006A Arrange international repatriations.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Human remains may include:

cremated remains

partially or full embalmed remains

un-embalmed remains.

Corroboration may include:

body labels

mortuary records confirmed by a minimum of two persons.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

OHS

transportation of human remains

communication protocols

documentation completion and dispatch

quality procedures.

Industry guidelines may include:

body preparation

sealing of human remains

shipping containers.

Documentation of death may include:

Death Certificate or Certificate of Life Extinct

notification of life extinct.

Relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice may include:

Aviation Transport Security Act

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)

OHS

Anatomy Act

Human Tissue Act

Coroner's Act

federal transportation regulations

Airlines Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration

approved code of practice for embalmers

Dangerous Goods Act

local government regulations

funeral services industry code of practice

cemetery Acts and by-laws

Crematorium Acts

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Carrier requirements may include:

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.

Family may include:

immediate family

extended family

designated people, including friends.

Preparation requirements may include:

urn and outer packaging for cremated remains

packaging materials and methods for embalmed and non-embalmed remains

transfer shells

labelling.

Transport company may include:

air

rail

motor vehicle

ship.

Transfer arrangements may include:

transfer date and time

procedures that minimise delays

completion of required documentation.

Required documentation may include:

statutory declaration in line with carrier requirements

quarantine declaration

embalming certificate

mortuary occupancy register

dangerous goods declaration

transfer instructions

local health authority declarations

medical report identifying cause of death

receipts for jewellery and other valuables

list of personal property of the deceased person.


Sectors

Sector

Funeral Services


Competency Field

Funeral Operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.