Module 6 Assign | Funeral Services

Module 6 Assignment: Preparing for and conducting visitation of the deceased

The main purpose of this assignment is to enhance candidate learning - theses assignments will require you to look through some of your work based documentation, procedures and practices in order that you become more familiar with them. Completing these assignments will also help you with collection of evidence for your portfolio.

The following information may be beneficial when completing this assignment:

General guidance for completing this assignment

This assignment has been designed so that you focus your knowledge and understanding of activities within your workplace relating to the care of the deceased.

For this assignment you will be required to collect some further work based evidence along with a witness statement and refection of how your training went.

Please see individual task help below for further guidance for how you can meet the learning outcomes for this module (visitation of the deceased).

Help and guidance for task 1:

For task 1 you will need to ask your line manager or work colleague to write a witness statement demonstrating that you can communicate effectively with the client and their family members and also other work colleagues.

Click here for access to the template to be used - bellow are some example sentences that could be included :

Witness statement sections:

1. List activities that were witnessed:

Write a list of all the activities witnessed throughout the training period:

E.g.

• Communicated with client on phone
• Liaised with …….
• At a staff meeting they……..
• Produced a document on……

2. How well did the candidate perform the task(s) / learning outcomes within this module?

E.g.

• XXX was able to communicate effectively with …..
• XXX handled the call in a sympathetic ……
• XXX reassured ….
• XXX was able to …..
• Staff member listened to XXX ……

3. Were there any issues, if so, did the candidate resolve them?

For this section write down what did not go so well and / or how XXX could improve in future

4. General comments or further recommendations:

Also include in this section what went well and any future changes or actions.

Please ensure that both you and your mentor / colleague signs the witness statement

Help and guidance for task 2:

For task 2 you will need to write a brief sentence for each of the headings that demonstrate you support diversity and equality in the work place. It may help if you complete task 3 first to improve you understanding.

It may also help if you ask yourself these questions:

Do you take into account certain clients cultural traditions when preparing the body (or facilities) during any visitations?
Do women and men enjoy the same opportunities in your work place?
Do you support and respect the different genders in you work place?
Are there facilities in your work place that support clients and staff with different disabilities?
Have you supported staff and clients who have different disabilities (e.g. physical, hearing and hearing)?
Do you take clients religious beliefs into account?
Do you modify your language for young and old clients to improve their understanding of situations?
Have you received any training relating to any of the above?

Once you have thought about these questions, think of examples in the past whereby you have carried out your roles and tasks in equal and fair way.

Help and guidance for task 3:

For task 3 you will need to describe the differences between race and religion. The following link may help with your understanding:

What is the difference between race and religion.

Help and guidance for task 4:

For task 4 you are required to produce a reflective statement – everyone reflects on past events although you may not have written this down in the format described below.

Your reflective piece can be on any one the following topics:

1. Recognising diversity of deceased and / or clients.

2. Effective communication with clients and / or family members

Recognising diversity a catch-all term for a whole range of differences.

The ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients is essential, no matter what industry you work in.

What is a reflective statement?

A reflective statement is an academic piece of work in which the writer focuses on an activity and what they've learned from it.

A reflection is a complementary task that usually accompanies your assessments – this is something you will become more familiar with as you continue with your future studies.

Reflective writing can be summarised as looking back at something, thinking about it and learning from it. This could be an event, an idea, or even an object. It is not simply describing what you did, but exploring it and thinking how you might do things differently in future and improve .

Click here for access to the template to be used – remember to ensure you complete a full reflective statement and not just a short sentence for each section

Help and guidance for task 5:

For task 5 you will again need to produce a piece of evidence collected from your work place – this time demonstrating how your business is able to communicate more effectively with clients and family members with additional needs.

This could be equipment used to facilitate staff and clients with physical disabilities (e.g. hearing loops, wheelchair access or brail) or information presented in booklets, emails, posters to external visitors.

Speak to your mentor or line manager to help you gather a piece of evidence for this task – like previous pieces of evidence collected you can take photographs (with permission) or photocopies, screen shots or even example documents used in your work place.

Example notice poster used in a funeral business

Help and guidance for task 6:

For task 6, again another piece of evidence needs to be produced and submitted – for this task can you think of a way to demonstrate that your business manages visitation of the deceased?

For example do you have log books for appointments or a diary for booking client visits? Do you have sign in sheets for any visitors? If so take a copy of this and present as evidence – remember to ensure that all your evidence is anonymised so that no identifiable client / deceased information is present.

Example notice poster used in a funeral business

Help and guidance for task 7:

Finally for task 7, when outlining your business procedures and checks for visiting of the deceased, ensure you limit your answers to the headings and spaces provided within the assignment. The purpose of this task is for you to briefly describe your business activities relating to visitation. For example:

Visiting hours: What times do you allow for visits? Do you allow for ad-hoc visits to be arranged outside your normal times?

Choosing a suitable day: How flexible is your business when it comes to what days you allow visitation? Are there any set days?

Ritual / washing facilities: Doe your business allow adjustments to be made for culture or race? Does your business provide any facilities to support this?

Communication and guidance: Are there any leaflets or other publications (e.g. website) available to relatives within your business? Is a member of staff available to take questions during any visitations?

Coffin and presentation: Must the coffin be fully built? Do you allow for any family input regarding the internal layout of the coffin? Must the deceased be already embalmed and clothed per instructions?

Maintaining dignity: Are there any specific religious and / or cultural considerations you would take in account? Do you allow relatives and friends sufficient time during the visitation. Where and How is the deceased presented within your business (for example is there a quiet private area for visitations?).

ID checks: Does the family / friend need to stat the name of the deceased or other ID proof? Does the deceased wear any ID bands? What details are checked to confirm the identify of the deceased before any visit can take place?

Personal items: Does you business allow personal items to be placed in the coffin? Are there any prohibited items depending n the type of burial or cremation? Do you remove any items prior to cremation for example?

Visitor logs: Before any visitation can take place do relatives / families sign a register? What information is recorded in the register / log book?

Please contact: darren.makin@nhs.net if you require further assistance or advice with the collection of any of your evidence pieces.