Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:53 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:53 AM 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.
Cleanse and disinfect deceased bodies
Cleanse and disinfect deceased bodies
Unit of competency
National Code
SIFMWK006A
SIFMWK006A
State Code
S7083
S7083
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/12/2013
Field of Education
110399 - Personal Services, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
06/12/2013
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to remove the wrapping and clothing from the deceased person, cleanse and disinfect the body and relieve rigor mortis.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Conduct preparatory procedures for cleansing and disinfecting deceased bodies.
- 1.1 Identify and prepare mortuary area and appropriate instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 1.2 Prepare and use personal protective equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 1.3 Identify and respect any social, cultural and religious requirements.
2 Remove wrapping on deceased persons.
- 2.1 Disinfect body wrappings using appropriate droplet disinfectant according to infection control practices.
- 2.2 Open outer body wrappings and ensure containment of body fluids.
- 2.3 Disinfect inner wrappings or clothing using a droplet disinfectant as required and according to infection control practices.
- 2.4 Remove inner wrapping and ensure containment of body fluids.
- 2.5 Place a durable modesty cover on genital area if required.
- 2.6 Cover mouth and nose with cloth soaked in an appropriate disinfectant.
- 2.7 Place wrappings in an appropriate biowaste container and ensure containment of body fluids.
- 2.8 Package clothing separately according to given instructions.
3 Cleanse oral and nasal cavities.
- 3.1 Aspirate oral and nasal cavities if purge is present.
- 3.2 Remove cloth covering mouth and nose, and dispose of using appropriate biowaste container.
- 3.3 Relieve rigor mortis from lower jaw as required.
- 3.4 Open mouth to enable access and place disinfectant cloth deep inside using long forceps.
4 Cleanse and inspect body.
- 4.1 Spray all areas of body with appropriate disinfectant and allow to remain on body surface for five minutes.
- 4.2 Conduct external head and face inspection.
- 4.3 Wash, rinse and dry all body surfaces using appropriate washing materials according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 4.4 Access rectal and vaginal orifices and place disinfectant cloth deep inside using large forceps.
- 4.5 Shampoo and dry cranium hair using germicidal soaps and shampoos according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 4.6 Perform face shaves and trim beards and moustaches according to workplace policies and procedures.
- 4.7 Conduct final inspection of body and note anything unusual for further attention.
- 4.8 Note and document all jewellery according to workplace policies and procedures and remove if required.
5 Relieve rigor mortis in body.
- 5.1 Manipulate, move and rotate arms, hands, fingers, legs, ankles and toes carefully to relieve rigor mortis.
- 5.2 Identify and avoid weakened tissue areas which may become damaged through relieving.
6 Clean up tools, equipment and mortuary areas.
- 6.1 Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 6.2 Dispose of waste materials according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 6.3 Store instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures and report faults.
- 6.4 Clean and disinfect mortuary area according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 6.5 Remove personal protective equipment and process according to workplace policies and procedures and infection control practices.
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.
personal protective equipment
positioning devices
sterilisation equipment
sterilisation chemicals and solutions
dressing table
disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap
body grooming equipment
pedestal lamps
linen
first aid kit
packs of padding
cotton packer
plastic sheeting for wrapping bodies
waterproof tape
capsules for transporting babies
aneurysm needle
scissors
forceps
nasal tube aspirator.
standard operating policies and procedures
standards and certification requirements
quality assurance procedures
OHS procedures, including:
infection control procedures
manual handling procedures
material handling procedures, including hazardous or infectious materials
emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures
security procedures.
OHS
Anatomy Act
Human Tissue Act
Skin Penetration Act
Coroner's Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
local government regulations
funeral services industry code of practice
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.
disposable gloves
heavy duty gloves
barrier gown or suit
waterproof overshoes
waterproof aprons
splash proof masks
eye goggles
face visor
hair cover.
dress standards
gender of embalming personnel
time required between death and burial or cremation
orientation of the deceased person
restrictions on methods of embalming permissible.
checking for infectious and transmittable disease
using personal protective equipment
sterilising apparatus and instruments
providing sterile storage areas for instruments
using disinfectants
safe removal and disposal of soiled and contaminated garments
safe ventilation
avoiding invasive procedures on bodies
immunisation
periodic X-rays
seeking medical advice
recording injury and incidence
reporting injury and incidence
providing first aid kit
performing first aid as necessary
labelling clothing.
inspecting head hair for lice and mites
inspecting eyes, nose and mouth for maggots.
personal protective equipment
positioning devices
sterilisation equipment
sterilisation chemicals and solutions
dressing table
disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap
body grooming equipment
pedestal lamps
linen
first aid kit
packs of padding
cotton packer
plastic sheeting for wrapping bodies
waterproof tape
capsules for transporting babies
aneurysm needle
scissors
forceps
nasal tube aspirator.
standard operating policies and procedures
standards and certification requirements
quality assurance procedures
OHS procedures, including:
infection control procedures
manual handling procedures
material handling procedures, including hazardous or infectious materials
emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures
security procedures.
OHS
Anatomy Act
Human Tissue Act
Skin Penetration Act
Coroner's Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
local government regulations
funeral services industry code of practice
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.
disposable gloves
heavy duty gloves
barrier gown or suit
waterproof overshoes
waterproof aprons
splash proof masks
eye goggles
face visor
hair cover.
dress standards
gender of embalming personnel
time required between death and burial or cremation
orientation of the deceased person
restrictions on methods of embalming permissible.
checking for infectious and transmittable disease
using personal protective equipment
sterilising apparatus and instruments
providing sterile storage areas for instruments
using disinfectants
safe removal and disposal of soiled and contaminated garments
safe ventilation
avoiding invasive procedures on bodies
immunisation
periodic X-rays
seeking medical advice
recording injury and incidence
reporting injury and incidence
providing first aid kit
performing first aid as necessary
labelling clothing.
inspecting head hair for lice and mites
inspecting eyes, nose and mouth for maggots.
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 remove the wrapping and clothing from the deceased person, cleanse and disinfect the body and relieve rigor mortis
ability to prepare mortuary area and select and use the required instruments and equipment
the cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising of the mortuary area, instruments and equipment at conclusion of the treatment
knowledge of infection control practices
cleansing and disinfecting deceased bodies 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 mortuary facility where deceased bodies may be safely prepared and appropriate mortuary lighting, plumbing and ventilation requirements can be monitored and maintained
access to deceased bodies
access to cleansing and disinfecting products
access to mortuary instruments and equipment
access to personal protective equipment.
Method 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 preparing mortuary area, instruments and equipment and applying body cleansing and disinfecting procedures
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of infection control practices and properties of disinfectant products
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:
SIFMWK003A Clean and sterilise mortuary items and equipment.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to remove the wrapping and clothing from the deceased person, cleanse and disinfect the body and relieve rigor mortis
ability to prepare mortuary area and select and use the required instruments and equipment
the cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising of the mortuary area, instruments and equipment at conclusion of the treatment
knowledge of infection control practices
cleansing and disinfecting deceased bodies 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 mortuary facility where deceased bodies may be safely prepared and appropriate mortuary lighting, plumbing and ventilation requirements can be monitored and maintained
access to deceased bodies
access to cleansing and disinfecting products
access to mortuary instruments and equipment
access to personal protective equipment.
Method 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 preparing mortuary area, instruments and equipment and applying body cleansing and disinfecting procedures
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of infection control practices and properties of disinfectant products
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:
SIFMWK003A Clean and sterilise mortuary items and equipment.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S6997 | WFSMWK303A | Cleanse and disinfect deceased bodies | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WG607 | SIFEMWK005 | Cleanse and disinfect deceased persons | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D341 | SIF40208 | Certificate IV in Embalming | Qualification |