1. OPERATIVES CERTIFICATE
TRAINING SESSION 4
FUNERAL PROCEDURES
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

2. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
FUNERAL PROCEDURES
Before the Funeral
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

3. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
Have you checked?
Identity of the deceased
Jewellery & personal possessions
Nameplate
Spelling
The day time and place
With another person before closing the coffin
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

4. Closing and handling the coffin – Have you checked?
Is it the correct type
In a good & clean condition
With the correct furniture
Centralised on hearse deck, with the correct floral tributes
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

5. Handling and Recording of Floral Tributes
IFD College:Operative Certificate
Handling and Recording of Floral Tributes
Check name on card
Identify those for the coffin
Keep tributes separate from other families
List as per your company procedure
HANDLE WITH CARE
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
Training Session 4

6. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
Floral Tributes
Don't Bounce
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

7. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
At the house
Cars should be driven slowly when arriving and leaving
Hearse should be positioned directly outside (where possible)
Take instructions from conductor regarding placing of vehicles/tributes
Do not carry more than two floral tributes at a time
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

8. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
Leaving the House
Close doors quietly
Close tailgate of hearse very slowly
If mourners or clergy sit in front of a limousine be polite and courteous, avoid ‘chatter’
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

9. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
Cortege Driving
Ensure private cars are kept together
Take special care when pulling out of turnings.
Hearse driver should use mirrors to watch and wait if necessary
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

10. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
Cortege Driving
Be a courteous road user
If you have to use a motorway, consider your speed – find a balance between a dignified and respectful speed and causing a 20 mile tail back on a major road network.
Irritation at you, may cause another road user to become careless.
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

11. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
At the Funeral
On arrival, drivers should wait for conductor’s signal before opening doors for passengers to disembark
Any questions or comments from a client should be referred to the conductor
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

12. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
The coffin should be carried slowly at all times
It should be centralised on trestles or catafalque.
It is usual for staff to bow or make some similar gesture of respect following conductor’s lead.
When lowering into a grave, keep level and lower slowly
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

13. IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
Quiet please
Whilst waiting to remove the coffin from the hearse, for a church to finish or at any other time, funeral staff should remain quiet and respectful.
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

14. All Funerals are different, but…
Funerals for babies and children pose a particular strain on us.
Handling an infant’s coffin requires special care and the use of gloves.
Or a different (smaller) vehicle.
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4

15. Examples of some unusual situations
IFD College:Operative Certificate
Examples of some unusual situations
Media attention
Large congregations.
Mourners acting as Pallbearers
Mourners behaving badly
Transport of coffin by other means
Bands.
IFD College:Operative Certificate:Training Session 4
Training Session 4