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Comply with the regulations, legislation and codes of practice governing a funeral business

URN: PPLFOS01
Business Sectors (Suites): Funeral Services
Developed by: People 1st
Approved on: 2022

Overview

This standard is about identifying and understanding the legislation that govern a funeral business. Everyone working in a funeral business must be able to comply with all of the relevant regulations, legislation and codes of practice. All staff must be able to apply these legal requirements throughout their day-to-day work.

This standard is for funeral directors, funeral director’s assistants, funeral arranger, funeral attendant, funeral operatives and embalmers.

When you have completed this standard you will be able to demonstrate your understanding of and ability to:

  • Identify and understand the legal requirements relevant to a funeral business

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1. identify who can legally issue a medical certificate of cause of death 2. identify the relevant legal responsibilities of the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal, where the death has been or must be reported to them, within the context 3. of the funeral service 4. identify the role of the medical examiner / reviewer 5. identify the documentation required by the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal when it is necessary to register a death with them 6. use the registrar guidelines to explain to a client who can legally register a death and what information is required 7. identify whether there is a notifiable disease that needs to be reported to the relevant authority 8. identify the process for reporting a death that occurred outside of the United Kingdom 9. identify the definitions relating to the death of a baby and the processes of registration 10. identify the legal documentation required for both cremation and burial when the death has, and has not, been referred to the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal 11. identify the legal documentation required for both cremation and burial when a case has, and has not been reported to the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal 12. comply with consumer contract legislation and regulations and the relevance of client signature 13. identify the legal responsibilities of the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal relevant to repatriation of the deceased 14. comply with relevant regulations, legislation, codes of practice and completion of documentation governing a funeral business for the disposal of human tissue or organs following bequeathal 15. identify the relevance and application of relevant legislation and documentation associated with exhumation 16. communicate the relevant legal definition of ashes/cremated remains following cremation to the client

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

1. the relevant legal requirements for issuing a medical certificate for cause of death 2. the relevant legal responsibilities of the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal 3. the relevant legal responsibilities for medical examiners / reviewers, where applicable 4. the relevant legal responsibilities for registering adult deaths 5. other types of disposal and the relevant legal responsibilities relating to each 6. the relevant legal definitions associated with the death of a baby and how these impact on registration 7. the relevant legal requirements and documentation for cremation 8. the relevant legal requirements and documentation for burial 9. contractual requirements of consumer legislation and regulations when arranging the funeral 10. the purpose of consumer contract regulations and their relevance to your business 11. the relevant legal responsibilities of the Coroner or Procurator Fiscal relevant to repatriation of the deceased 12. the relevant legislation and documentation for disposal of remains following bequeathal 13. the process for lawful disposal of human organs or tissue  14. the relevant legislation, documentation and processes for exhumation 15. the relevant legal definition of ashes/cremated remains following cremation

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Baby - born after 24 weeks gestation

Links To Other NOS

The standards in the funeral operations suite should be complemented by pan-sector standards such as working relationships, business, administration and resource management, as well as any other specific requirements of the employer.

External Links

Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

People 1st International Ltd

Original URN

PPLFOS01

Relevant Occupations

Funeral Director, Funeral Director’s Assistant, Funeral Services Attendant, Funeral Services Operative, Funeral Arranger, Embalmer

SOC Code

6138

Keywords

Funeral; legislation; cremation; burial; death; deceased