SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Mortician 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104621  Occupational Certificate: Mortician 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-Services SETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Personal Care 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  150  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2018-09-12  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

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 pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
122235  Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Mortician  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  156  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Mortician.

A Mortician communicates with and advises the bereaved; removes and prepares the deceased prior to refrigeration; completes documentation and conducts administrative functions; conducts coffining and visitation preparation; plans, prepares and delivers a professional interment service; market self, organisation, products and services.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Communicate effectively with the bereaved, including counselling.
  • Remove and conduct pre-cooling preparation of the deceased.
  • Complete documentation and administration relevant to the mortician.
  • Coffin and prepare the deceased for a visitation.
  • Plan, prepare and deliver a professional interment service.
  • Provide after-services relevant to the mortician subsequent to the interment.

    This qualification addresses the competencies required by morticians in that role and not as managers or owners of the funeral business. Further qualifications in specialised areas where one would conduct embalming, funeral insurance, and business management, to achieve the competencies required in running the funeral business still need to be developed.

    Rationale:

    This qualification is designed to meet current transformational challenges in South Africa. This is reflected by the scope and structure of this qualification to address all types of cultures, customs, and religious services without any racial or ethnic biases.

    This qualification provides a foundation in mortician practices that will allow persons to enter into a formal career in the funeral services industry. Qualified persons will be able to deliver professional services as morticians with due regard for personal and environmental safety.

    The qualification will promote professional standards in the funeral services industry and will assist in addressing the current challenges faced by the industry to provide new entrants to the industry with access to learning programmes.

    Key industry representative bodies, the National Funeral Directors Association and the United Funeral Association of South Africa, (represented by nominated representatives), as well as a range of small, medium and large funeral parlours from various provinces in South Africa, participated in the development and verification of this qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for Access to the Qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • NQF Level 2 qualification with Language communication. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills, and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 516304-000-00-00-KM-01, Understanding and communicating effectively within the funeral industry, Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-KM-02, Removing and pre-cooling preparation of deceased, Level 3, 7 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-KM-03, Completing documentation and administration relevant to the mortician, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-KM-04, Coffining and preparing the deceased for a visitation, Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-KM-05, Planning, preparing and delivering a professional interment service, Level 3, 20 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-KM-06, Providing after-service care relevant to the mortician, Level 3, 3 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 50.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 516304-000-00-00-PM-01, Communicate effectively within the funeral industry, Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-PM-02, Remove and conduct pre-cooling preparation of the deceased, Level 3, 7 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-PM-03, Complete documentation, and administration relevant to the mortician, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-PM-04, Conduct coffining and prepare the deceased for a visitation, Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-PM-05, Plan, prepare and deliver a professional interment service, Level 3, 20 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-PM-06, Provide after-service care relevant to the mortician, Level 3, 3 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 50.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 516304-000-00-00-WM-01, Communicate effectively within the funeral industry as a mortician, Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-WM-02, Provide removal and pre-cooling services for a funeral parlour, Level 3, 7 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-WM-03, Complete documentation, and administration relevant to the mortician, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-WM-04, Provide coffining services and prepare the deceased for a visitation in a funeral parlour, Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-WM-05, Provide a professional interment service for a funeral parlour, Level 3, 20 Credits.
  • 516304-000-00-00-WM-06, Provide after-service care relevant to the mortician, Level 3, 3 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 50. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate effectively with the bereaved, including counselling.
    2. Remove and conduct pre-cooling preparation of the deceased.
    3. Complete documentation and administration relevant to the mortician.
    4. Coffin and prepare the deceased for a visitation.
    5. Plan, prepare and deliver a professional funeral/memorial service, including burial, cremation or repatriation.
    6. Provide after-services relevant to the mortician subsequent to interment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Information related to the personal care industry and the business environment is presented in a structured and informed manner.
  • Statutory provisions that regulate the funeral industry are explained and applied.
  • Funeral services are provided with due consideration of customs, cultures, and religions.
  • Funeral services provided meet industry standards of customer service, quality, and business ethics.
  • The needs of the bereaved are recognised and is illustrated through effective communication.
  • Death related counselling and advising practices are delivered in a manner sensitive to the needs of the bereaved.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The removal of the deceased is conducted in terms of industry accepted processes and practices.
  • Cleaning, sanitation and setting requirements are conducted in accordance with industry accepted standards and norms.
  • Pre-cooling preparation and the cooling process are conducted in accordance with industry accepted standards and norms.
  • The removal of the deceased meets legal requirements and customary, cultural and religious considerations.
  • The deceased is prepared and removed in accordance with industry accepted standards and norms.
  • The deceased is prepared for cooling in accordance with industry accepted standards and norms.
  • Health, safety, and environmental protection standards are upheld throughout all the activities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Documents required by law with respect to death and interment are listed and completed.
  • Standard documentation utilised by the funeral industry, not required by law, is listed and completed.
  • Death-related processes, including removal, cooling, service, burial, and cremation are described.
  • Financial records and documents are completed and administered in accordance with workplace policies and statutory requirements.
  • Information and communication technology (ICT), record-keeping, and administration are conducted in accordance with workplace policies and statutory requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Coffin sales and product knowledge is demonstrated during interaction with customers.
  • Coffining and embalming processes are applied in accordance with accepted industry standards and practices.
  • The deceased is prepared for visitation, including the application of cosmetic in accordance with accepted industry standards and practices.
  • Coffining and visitation processes are conducted in accordance with customary, cultural, religious and legal considerations and protocols.
  • A visitation of the deceased is prepared for in accordance with accepted industry standards and practices.
  • Health, safety, and environmental protection standards are upheld throughout practical activities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Project and event management tools and techniques are applied when planning and directing funeral, and memorial services are planned and directed .
  • Funeral/memorial service is delivered in accordance with customary, cultural, religious and legal requirements and expectations.
  • Burial and cremation services are delivered in accordance with customary, cultural, religious and legal requirements and expectations.
  • Follow-up processes related to a funeral/memorial service are delivered in accordance with the accepted industry standards and norms.
  • The repatriation of a deceased is conducted in accordance with the accepted industry standards and norms.
  • The bereaved, colleagues, suppliers and other parties liaise with customary, cultural, religious and legal requirements.
  • Health, safety, and environmental protection standards are upheld throughout practical activities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Estates and wills are discussed as they relate to the mortician.
  • Common good and services provided by the funeral industry are explained as they relate to the mortician.
  • After-service care is explained in terms of the funeral industry.
  • Sales and marketing tools and techniques are applied as relevant to the mortician.
  • A range of appropriate products and services are marketed and sales processes conducted in terms of customer needs.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The Skills Development Provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Qualifications and training programmes from Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada were selected for comparison to the South African qualification.

    Australia:
    Certificate II in Funeral Operations (SIF20113) is a registered qualification endorsed by the Australian Funeral Directors Association. The qualification is structured as follows:

    Core units:
  • Provide service to clients.
  • Work effectively in the funeral services industry.
  • Deal with grief responses.

    Elective units:
  • Work health and safety.
  • Building and grounds maintenance.
  • Identify hazards and assess risks in a cemetery or crematorium.
  • Follow mortuary work health and safety procedures.
  • Follow work health and safety procedures.
  • Follow infection and contamination control procedures.
  • Burial and cremation operations.
  • Business administration.
  • Mortuary work and embalming.
  • Clean and sterilise mortuary items and equipment.

    The United Kingdom (UK):
    The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) in the UK presents a Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration endorsed and quality assured by the Birmingham City University. As stated on the official website of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) in the UK established in 1905, the NAFD represents the interests of the entire spectrum of funeral directing businesses including independent businesses, the co-operative and major funeral groups who conduct in excess of 80% of UK funerals every year.

    Structure of the content:
  • Module 1: Introduction to funeral arranging and administration. Understanding bereavement and grief, client care within the funeral service, communicating with clients within the funeral service.
  • Module 2: First call, including care and presentation of the deceased. Responding to the initial notification of death. Care and presentation of the deceased.
  • Module 3: Legislation (country specific to the learner). Health and safety for funeral arrangers, registration of death, and procurator fiscal procedures human cremation: law and Practice. Human burial: law and practice.
  • Module 4: Arranging the funeral. Understanding funeral rites. Arranging a funeral. Arranging a funeral for a child and baby. Office practice and administration within the funeral service.
  • Module 5: Understanding client liability, entitlement and consumer regulations within the funeral service.

    Canada:
    As stated on the official website of the Canadian College of Funeral Service. The Canadian College of Funeral Service is Canada's only post-secondary institution that is dedicated solely to the funeral service profession. The college, formerly Western School of Funeral Service, started in Manitoba over 30 years ago under the direction of Stewart Windrum, a dedicated funeral professional, educator, and visionary. The college has educated and trained thousands of funeral service professionals across Canada.

    The course content of the introductory studies for funeral services is as follows:
  • Embalming theory 1 (ETS100).
  • Safety, sanitation and hygiene 1 (ETS112).
  • Embalming practicum 1 (ETS115).
  • Dying, death and disposition 1 (FSS150).
  • Funeral practices (FSS151).
  • Funeral law 1 (FSS152).
  • Funeral service ethics (FSS153).
  • Communications 1 (FSS154).
  • Funeral practicum 1 (FSS156).

    Conclusion:
    The Occupational Certificate: Mortician compares favourably with the international standards and practices outlined in the three countries.

    The South African qualification is specifically aimed at providing an opportunity for persons employed as a mortician. This qualification is structured to meet the specific South African labour market requirements. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualification:
  • National Certificate: Community Development, Level 3.

    Vertical articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications:
  • National Certificate: Funeral Services Practice, Level 4.
  • National Diploma: Funeral Services Practice, Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
  • In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience records including Foundational Learning Competences.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
  • None.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
  • Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website.

    The curriculum title and code is:
  • Mortician: 5163041-000-00-00.

    Encompassed Trades:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD):
  • This is not a trade qualification.

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
  • Services Seta. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.