SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Conducting funeral ceremonies 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14148  Conducting funeral ceremonies 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Funeral Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Personal Care 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard forms part of the Qualification, National Certificate in Funeral Services Practice and is registered at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework. Learners working towards this standard will be learning towards the full qualification, or will be involved in or working within a funeral services environment, specialising in Embalming, Marketing and Merchandising or Disaster Management, where the acquisition of competence against this standard will add value to each individual and the Funeral Industry as a whole.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Preparing for the funeral ceremony
  • Conducting the funeral ceremony
  • Directing the internment ceremony 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competency in:
  • Numeracy at NQF Level 3 or equivalent.
  • English, verbal and written communication at NQF Level 3 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Range statements which are applicable to the unit standard titles, specific outcomes and assessment criteria are found beneath the applicable assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare for the funeral ceremony 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1.Correct identification of human remains is verified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2.Documentation and funeral accessories are verified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Accessories include lowering device, belts, cranks, stands, drapes, rails, grave plants, grave mats, gazebos, tents, chairs, levelling boards, receptacles, flower baskets and petals, flowers, drinking water, water jugs, glasses, shovels, danger tape, tissues and/or sal volatilie / smelling salts.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Conduct the funeral ceremony 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1.Relevant parties are liased with regarding the funeral. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2.Placement and scheduling instructions are given and monitored. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3.If applicable, mourners are escorted into and out of venue. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4.Ceremony is conducted according to arrangements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5.Closing ceremony procedures are applied and monitored. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Direct the internment ceremony 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1.Coffin/human remains are guided for correct and safe placement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2.Internment instructions are given and lowering is monitored. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3.Mourners are invited to participate in funeral ceremony. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4.The bereaved are greeted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5.Instructions to close the grave are given to relevant parties. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers offering learning towards this standard will be accredited and assessors registered by the relevant Education Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA). 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • A comprehensive understanding of documentation to conduct funeral and internment ceremonies.
  • An all rounded understanding of funeral materials, equipment and accessories.
  • An in depth understanding of religious and cultural differences.
  • A broad understanding of placement, scheduling and internment instructions. 
    		•


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems pertaining to funeral ceremonies and the internment of human remains. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others during the funeral ceremony and internment processes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one`s activities to make the funeral ceremony run smoothly under any circumstances. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organise and critically evaluate information to ensure correct documentation is available and correct human remains available for funeral ceremony and internment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with the bereaved at the funeral ceremony. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, it must be the intention underlying any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of: being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts when conducting funeral ceremonies. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  23775   National Certificate: Funeral Services Practice  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.