1. Pall Bearing, Handling Floral Tributes & Funeral Procedures
Funeral Operative
Unit OP4

2. Learning Outcome: The learner is able to:
Follow company procedures to make appropriate checks that take place before the funeral
Receive and record floral tributes
Carry a coffin, lower at graveside or place on trestles or catafalque
Maintain a professional attitude in a range of situations

3. Have you checked….. Before the funeral
Identity of the deceased
Jewellery & personal possessions
Nameplate
Spelling
With another person before closing the coffin
The day time and place

4. Have you checked….. Closing and handling the coffin
Is it the correct type
In a good condition
With the correct furniture
Centralised on hearse deck, with the correct floral tributes

5. Evidence required for portfolio
Make appropriate checks and close the coffin
Check plate with the funeral order
Check details of cortege route and destination
Place coffin in hearse using correct manual handling techniques
Suggested forms of evidence
Witness testimonies
Annotated route plans
Photos with notes
Written (essay style)
Log or journal
Copy of company procedure (but must be annotated)
(If using completed forms black out any names)

6. 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

7. Evidence required for portfolio
Check name on card to identify those for the coffin
List tributes in a legible way as per your company procedure
Place tributes at crematorium/church or graveside as requested by director
Suggested forms of evidence:
Photos with notes
Written (essay style)
Witness testimony
Copy of company procedure (but must be annotated)
Personal statement (signed by manager)

8. At the funeral 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

9. At the funeral Be aware of hazards around the grave
Care when placing coffin over grave
Ensure grave edge is boarded
Know position of minister and mourners
When lowering into a grave, keep level and lower slowly
Will mourners
back fill
themselves

10. Quiet please
Whilst waiting to remove the coffin from the hearse, for a church service to finish or at any other time, funeral staff should remain quiet and respectful

11. Evidence required for portfolio
Take instructions from conductor
Work as part of a pall bearing team
Apply appropriate safe manual handling principles
Describe the correct use of putlocks and webs
Describe hazards likely to be experienced with earthen burials
Suggested forms of evidence
Witness testimonies
Diagrams (must be annotated)
Written (essay style)
Log or journal
Personal statement (signed by manager)

12. 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 occasionally the use of gloves
Or a different (smaller) vehicle

13. Problematic situations
Media attention
Large congregations
Obese coffins
Bands
Minister not arriving
Time delays
Family fallouts
Mourners acting as pallbearers
Mourners behaving badly
Transport of coffin by other means

14. Evidence required for portfolio
Describe how a service differs for the funeral of an infant or child
Explain how the mourners acting as pall bearers should be supported
Describe problems which may arise from media attention
Describe problems which may arise from mourners behaving badly
Suggested forms of evidence
Written (essay style)
Written (note form)

15. Any questions?