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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Exhuming human remains 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14156  Exhuming 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 3  NQF Level 03  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 pre-2009 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 3 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:
  • Preparing for exhumation of human remains
  • Removing human remains from grave according to established procedures
  • Packing human remains and finalising grave sites 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competency in:
  • Numeracy at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • English, verbal and written communication at NQF Level 2 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.
  • The following range statements are general to the qualification:
  • Protective clothing and equipment will include goggles, mask, protective gown, apron, gloves and water repellent boots 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare for exhumation of human remains 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Necessary materials and equipment for exhumation are identified and made available 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Necessary exhumation equipment will include: spades, shovels, sieves, masks, gloves, disinfectant, containers, coffin, body bag, plastic sheets, ropes, belts, marking equipment , screens, pick axes and hand tools
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Necessary materials and equipment are loaded on vehicle and secured 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Documentation for exhumation is obtained and taken with to site 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Documentation for exhumation purposes will include request from applicants for exhumation, identification, application, and letter from undertaker. National health authorisation, provincial government authorisation, authorisation from grave yard, re-burial authorisation, court order, and relatives consent form.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Gravestone removal is organised with relevant parties 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Remove human remains from grave according to established procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Gravestone is removed by relevant parties 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Health, hygiene and safety regulations are followed throughout the exhumation process 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Relevant and authorised parties are present 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Grave is opened to required depth 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Human remains and/or coffin are removed from the grave according to regulations and organisational procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Where no identifiable coffin is found, soil where human remains were, is sifted to ensure all parts are removed 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Pack human remains and finalise gravesites 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Human remains and/or coffin is placed in a suitable container for transportation 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Container is sealed according to legal requirements and instructions 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Remains/container are clearly marked for identification purposes 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Grave site is returned to its original state 


    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 
  • A comprehensive understanding of legislation and legal requirements for exhuming human remains
  • A general understanding of methods and techniques for exhuming, packing and transporting human remains which have been exhumed
  • A basic understanding of materials and equipment required for exhumation
  • A broad understanding of protective clothing and equipment is worn at all times whilst working with human remains 
    		•


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems pertaining to the preparing, removing, packing and transporting exhumed human remains 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others during the exhumation process 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organise and critically evaluate information before any exhumation may take place 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with relevant parties requesting and exhumation 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  21787   National Certificate: Funeral Services Practice  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.