Certificate IV in Embalming
This qualification covers specialised embalming procedures in a mortuary, including arterial embalming of natural and autopsied cases, treating complex cases, restoring body damage, setting features, dressing and cosmetics, and encoffining. It also covers anatomy and physiology, infection control, mortuary safety and supervising mortuary operations. Embalmers with experience may be able to have their skills recognised through RPL.
- TRAINING PACKAGE
- SIF Funeral Services
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Nil
- SUPERSEDES
- SIF40208 Certificate IV in Embalming (equivalent)
WHO IT'S FOR
Embalmers who work fairly independently in mortuaries or funeral home mortuaries. In NSW, extra rules apply to who can embalm, so check current NSW Health advice.
TYPICAL JOB ROLES
- Embalmer
- Mortuary technician
- Mortuary supervisor
Qualification structure
22 units must be completed: a minimum of 2 elective units must be selected from the elective units listed below; a maximum of 1 elective unit, first packaged at AQF level 3, 4 or 5, may be selected from elsewhere in SIF Funeral Services Training Package, or any other current Training Package or accredited course. Refer to the AQF packaging of Funeral Services units in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide. In all cases, selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome, local industry requirements and the characteristics of this qualification (as per the AQF descriptors).
Core units
19 units- SIFEMWK001Encoffin deceased persons
- SIFEMWK005Cleanse and disinfect deceased persons
- SIFEMWK006Set facial features
- SIFEMWK007Treat abdominal and thoracic cavities
- SIFEMWK008Dress the deceased and apply cosmetics
- SIFEMWK009Apply anatomy and physiology principles to embalming
- SIFEMWK010Restore minor body damage
- SIFEMWK011Treat the head and body after autopsies
- SIFEMWK012Restore and set eyes after eye donations
- SIFEMWK013Determine embalming requirements
- SIFEMWK014Perform arterial embalming of natural cases
- SIFEMWK015Perform arterial embalming of autopsied cases
- SIFEMWK016Treat complex ante mortem cases
- SIFEMWK017Treat complex post mortem cases
- SIFEMWK018Supervise mortuary operations
- SIFEWHS001Follow mortuary work health and safety procedures
- SIFXIND002Work effectively in the funeral services industry
- SIFXIND003Deal with grief responses
- SIFXWHS004Implement and monitor infection and contamination control practices
Elective units
11 units- SIFXADQ001Control and order goods
- SIFXIND004Participate in industry networks
- SIFXMGT001Coordinate teams
- SIFXMGT003Supervise staff
- SIFXMPR002Make presentations to community groups
- SIFXMPR003Prepare and conduct tours
- SIFEMWK004Coordinate mortuary operations
- SIFEMWK019Design a mortuary
- TAEDEL311Provide work skill instruction
- HLTAID011Provide First Aid
- SIFEWHS002Review and develop mortuary work health and safety policies and procedures
EVIDENCE YOU'LL NEED
- Resume showing your work history
- Reference letters from employers
- Photos or videos of jobs you've done
- Payslips or employment contracts
LICENSING
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication, however, the following requirement applies to the embalming of bodies in NSW: Under a NSW public health regulation relating to the disposal of bodies, a person must not embalm a body unless that person has a certificate of proficiency of, or equivalent to, a Certificate IV [Embalming] standard issued by an institute approved by the Director-General of the NSW Department of Health. Candidates in NSW should seek advice from the NSW Department of Health for a current list of approved providers. The volume of learning of a Certificate IV is typically 0.5 – 2 years.
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