Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:18 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:18 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Exhume a burial site
Exhume a burial site
Unit of competency
National Code
SIFBCR025A
SIFBCR025A
State Code
S7041
S7041
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/06/2010
Field of Education
110399 - Personal Services, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
21/06/2010
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to exhume above and below ground burial sites and to lift and reposition or deepen human remains to accommodate additional burials under supervision.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Perform exhumation.
- 1.1 Liaise with appropriate personnel to identify work requirements and own areas of responsibility in performing exhumation.
- 1.2 Identify and prepare tools, equipment and machinery according to work requirements and workplace policies and procedures.
- 1.3 Place protective restraints to restrict site access to authorised personnel according to supervisor instructions and relevant legislation.
- 1.4 Apply universal precautions to minimise risk of infection from contaminates.
- 1.5 Inspect and confirm nameplate as required.
- 1.6 Perform exhumation according to workplace policies and procedures, relevant legislation and supervisor instructions.
- 1.7 Enclose remains of deceased person and coffin or casket in appropriate casing according to workplace policies and procedures and supervisor instructions.
2 Lift and reposition or deepen human remains.
- 2.1 Identify storage requirements according to work requirements and workplace policies and procedures.
- 2.2 Remove adjacent monuments as required and reassess further digging with appropriate personnel.
- 2.3 Dig to required or anticipated depth according to workplace policies and procedures and safety requirements.
- 2.4 Remove coffin or casket and transfer or store remains according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
3 Clean site.
- 3.1 Liaise with appropriate personnel to determine clean up requirements.
- 3.2 Store and maintain tools, equipment and machinery according to workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer instructions.
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.
Appropriate personnel may include:
manager
supervisor
leading hand.
Work requirements may include:
removing remains
lifting and repositioning or deepening remains
storing or transferring remains
scheduling work
burial site, such as:
crypt
mausoleum
tomb
vault
lined grave
unlined grave.
Tools may include:
spade
shovel
pick
crowbar
auger
sledgehammer
timber mallet.
Equipment may include:
personal protective equipment, including:
overalls
steel-capped boots
jacket
long sleeves
gloves
respirator with communication device attached
safety glasses or goggles
hard hat
hat or cap
gumboots
ear plugs or muffs
sun protection
two-way radio
mechanical or hydraulic bracing equipment
trolley
ladder that complies with requirements of current Australian standard
lowering and lifting device
restraints.
Machinery may include:
backhoe
front-end loader
skidsteer loader
crane
excavator
gator
tractor
truck.
Protective restraints may include:
sheeting
barricades
temporary fencing
reinforced covers.
Authorised personnel may include:
manager
supervisor
funeral director
court personnel
police
coroner
department of health
family.
Relevant legislation and regulations may include:
OHS
cemetery Acts and by-laws
local government regulations
Lands Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
Australian standards
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.
Universal precautions must include:
use of personal protective equipment
presumption that all blood and body fluids are infectious
covering exposed cuts and abrasions, particularly on workers' hands, with waterproof coverings prior to commencing work
immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions
use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids.
Workplace policies and procedures may include:
OHS
staff authorities and responsibilities
storage or transfer of remains
care of equipment
reporting maintenance requirements of tools, machinery and equipment
waste removal.
Appropriate casing may include:
ossuary box
body bag.
Clean up requirements may include:
removing waste
making surrounding area safe
removing or replacing monumentation
refilling grave.
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.
Appropriate personnel may include:
manager
supervisor
leading hand.
Work requirements may include:
removing remains
lifting and repositioning or deepening remains
storing or transferring remains
scheduling work
burial site, such as:
crypt
mausoleum
tomb
vault
lined grave
unlined grave.
Tools may include:
spade
shovel
pick
crowbar
auger
sledgehammer
timber mallet.
Equipment may include:
personal protective equipment, including:
overalls
steel-capped boots
jacket
long sleeves
gloves
respirator with communication device attached
safety glasses or goggles
hard hat
hat or cap
gumboots
ear plugs or muffs
sun protection
two-way radio
mechanical or hydraulic bracing equipment
trolley
ladder that complies with requirements of current Australian standard
lowering and lifting device
restraints.
Machinery may include:
backhoe
front-end loader
skidsteer loader
crane
excavator
gator
tractor
truck.
Protective restraints may include:
sheeting
barricades
temporary fencing
reinforced covers.
Authorised personnel may include:
manager
supervisor
funeral director
court personnel
police
coroner
department of health
family.
Relevant legislation and regulations may include:
OHS
cemetery Acts and by-laws
local government regulations
Lands Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
Australian standards
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.
Universal precautions must include:
use of personal protective equipment
presumption that all blood and body fluids are infectious
covering exposed cuts and abrasions, particularly on workers' hands, with waterproof coverings prior to commencing work
immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions
use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids.
Workplace policies and procedures may include:
OHS
staff authorities and responsibilities
storage or transfer of remains
care of equipment
reporting maintenance requirements of tools, machinery and equipment
waste removal.
Appropriate casing may include:
ossuary box
body bag.
Clean up requirements may include:
removing waste
making surrounding area safe
removing or replacing monumentation
refilling grave.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 select, prepare, use, maintain and clean the required tools, equipment and machinery according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer's instructions
ability to identify burial location and to assess safe exhumation methods
the safe and efficient exhumation of remains using infection control procedures, the reinstatement and good presentation of burial sites at conclusion of exhumation
exhuming burial sites 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:
demonstration of skills in a cemetery environment where exhumation and lifting or deepening of human remains take place
access to relevant documentation, such as cemetery maps or plans
access to protective restraints and appropriate casings for human remains
access to relevant tools, equipment and machinery, including personal protective equipment.
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 performing below ground exhumations and lifting and repositioning or deepening remains
observation of candidate performing above ground exhumations
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation
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 A gravedigging work role could include, for example:
SIFBCR017A Prepare for gravedigging
SIFBCR018A Backfill and make good graves
SIFBCR020A Dig a grave manually
SIFBCR023A Dig a grave using machinery.
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.
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 select, prepare, use, maintain and clean the required tools, equipment and machinery according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer's instructions
ability to identify burial location and to assess safe exhumation methods
the safe and efficient exhumation of remains using infection control procedures, the reinstatement and good presentation of burial sites at conclusion of exhumation
exhuming burial sites 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:
demonstration of skills in a cemetery environment where exhumation and lifting or deepening of human remains take place
access to relevant documentation, such as cemetery maps or plans
access to protective restraints and appropriate casings for human remains
access to relevant tools, equipment and machinery, including personal protective equipment.
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 performing below ground exhumations and lifting and repositioning or deepening remains
observation of candidate performing above ground exhumations
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation
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 A gravedigging work role could include, for example:
SIFBCR017A Prepare for gravedigging
SIFBCR018A Backfill and make good graves
SIFBCR020A Dig a grave manually
SIFBCR023A Dig a grave using machinery.
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WG575 | SIFCBCR010 | Exhume burial sites | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D338 | SIF30208 | Certificate III in Gravedigging, Grounds and Maintenance | Qualification |