To preserve, sanitise and present a deceased person, ensuring confidentiality, minimising risks to public heath and assisting the bereaved by contributing to a healthy grieving process.
This occupation is found in the death care industry, typically within funeral organisations. Embalmers may be employed by an organisation or self-employed trade. The broad purpose of the occupation is to preserve, prepare and present a deceased person, minimising risks to public heath and assisting the bereaved by contributing to a healthy grieving process. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with internal and external stakeholders, for example the deceased, families, clients, funeral branches, doctors, crematoria, cemeteries, care homes, nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, coroners, mortuary technicians. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for respectful and dignified care of the deceased and safe working practises within the area of work. Embalmers are responsible for verifying the completion of all necessary documentation prior to carrying out an embalming, carrying out embalming and the practical application of expertise and theoretical knowledge of embalming on a case-by-case basis to provide the best possible care to the deceased and experience to their families. Embalmers often work alone or with the assistance of a mortuary technician in a sterile theatre attached to a funeral home or in a standalone mortuary. Under normal circumstances they work set hours but in exceptional circumstances, for example in the case of a flu epidemic, they may have to work unsociable hours in order to meet the industry demands.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 36 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
For the embalmer, the qualification required is:
IEBE Diploma
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 8 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 6 hours. They will ask you at least 4 questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
This apprenticeship aligns with British Institute of Embalmers for Level 5
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 09/01/2024 | Not set |
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