Administrating the exhumation of human remains

SAQA US
ID

UNIT STANDARD TITLE

14139

Administrating the exhumation of human remains

ORIGINATOR
SGB Funeral Services
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
FIELD

SUBFIELD

Field 11 - Services

Personal Care

ABET
BAND

UNIT
STANDARD
TYPE

PRE-2009 NQF
LEVEL

NQF LEVEL

CREDITS

Undefined Regular

Level 4

NQF Level 04

REGISTRATION STATUS

REGISTRATION
START DATE

REGISTRATION
END DATE

SAQA
DECISION
NUMBER

Reregistered

2015-07-01

2018-06-30

SAQA 10105/14

LAST DATE FOR

ENROLMENT

LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT

2019-06-30

2022-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In
the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any
other unit standard.
PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD
This unit standard forms part of the Qualification, National Certificate in Funeral Services
Practice and is registered at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework. Learners
working towards this standard will be learning towards the full qualification, or will be
involved in or working within a funeral services environment, specialising in Embalming,
Marketing and Merchandising or Disaster Management, where the acquisition of
competence against this standard will add value to each individual and the Funeral
Industry as a whole.
The qualifying learner is capable of:
Processing documentation for exhumation of human remains
Planning exhumations of human remains
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competency in:
Numeracy at NQF Level 3 or equivalent.
English, verbal and written communication at NQF Level 3 or equivalent.
UNIT STANDARD RANGE
Range statements which are applicable to the unit standard titles, specific outcomes and
assessment criteria are found beneath the applicable assessment criteria.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1
Process documentation for exhumation of human remains
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
1.The three types of exhumations are identified and explained.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
2.Requests for exhumation are received and processed.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3
3.Application for permission of exhumation is completed and processed.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE
Types of applications for exhumations will include individual applicants i.e. family,
friends, personal representatives, Magisterial order for purposes of medico legal
examination and institution application for purposes of area development etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4
4.Approval for exhumation is followed-up, obtained and received.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5
5.Documentation is kept in a safe and secure place.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE
Documentation for exhumation purposes will include request for
exhumation applicants, identification, application, and letter from undertaker, national
health authorisation, provincial government authorisation, authorisation from graveyard,
re-burial authorisation, court order, relatives consent form.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2
Plan exhumations of human remains
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
1.Tombstone removal and opening of grave is arranged with relevant parties.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE
Relevant parties will include next-of-kin, police, local authorities, landowners, applicants,
re-internment authorities.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
2.Notification of exhumation is disseminated to all relevant parties.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3
3.Costs of exhumation are determined and recorded.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4
4.Equipment and transportation requirements are arranged.
ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5
5.Re-internment, cremation or repatriation is planned and executed.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Providers offering learning towards this standard will be accredited and assessors
registered by the relevant Education Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA).
UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE
An all rounded understanding of necessary documentation required for exhumations
and the process of completing them.
A comprehensive understanding of procedures for exhumation human remains.
A broad understanding of the three types of applications for exhumations of human
remains.