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.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 1 Check chemicals, funeral consumables, sundries, instruments, ancillary equipment, Personal protective equipment and ventilation systems ready for commencement of caseload |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K6 K7 K8 K9 K14 K15 K16 K17 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 |
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Duty 2 Carry out ongoing caseload review, liaise with team to agree work flow in line with business priorities and check all documents in line with legislation noting cause of death if available |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K6 K7 K8 K9 K14 K15 K17 K18 K20 K21 K22 K23 K26 |
|
Duty 3 Complete dynamic case risk assessments, identifying all hazards including potential infection, recording and escalating risks as required |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S16 S17 S18 S19 |
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Duty 4 Carry out case assessments to identify unique details and physical tasks required for each deceased |
K1 K2 K4 K6 K7 K8 K11 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 5 Carry out pre-embalming requirements such as, PPE, identification, tests for death, disinfection, personal protective equipment removal of clothing, set features) |
K1 K2 K4 K6 K7 K8 K11 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K23 K25 |
|
Duty 6 Carry out embalming taking into account the unique case details identified this could include the embalming of an autopsy or non-autopsy case, adult, infant, mass trauma, repatriation, tissue donor, decomposition |
K1 K2 K4 K6 K7 K8 K11 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K25 |
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Duty 7 Carry out additional treatment dressing pressure sores, removal of intravenous cannula, catheters, application of barrier cream, topical and localised treatments as required |
K1 K2 K4 K6 K7 K8 K11 K13 K14 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K25 |
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Duty 8 Carry out removal of medical implants as required |
K1 K2 K4 K6 K7 K8 K11 K13 K14 K17 K18 K19 K21 K22 K23 K25 |
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Duty 9 Carry out completion procedures, such as closing incisions, personal grooming, insertion of dentures |
K1 K2 K6 K7 K8 K11 K13 K14 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K22 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 10 Carry out basic cosmetic reconstruction as required may require waxing, cream cosmetics, air brushing |
K1 K2 K6 K7 K8 K11 K13 K14 K16 K17 K18 K20 K23 K24 K25 |
|
Duty 11 Carry out final presentation of embalmed deceased dressing, encoffining,communicating any requirements to team members |
K1 K2 K6 K7 K8 K13 K14 K16 K17 K18 K20 K23 K24 K25 |
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Duty 12 Clean embalming theatre, equipment and instruments, to ensure infection control, disposal of hazardous waste and reporting of defects and completing documentation in compliance with legislation |
K1 K2 K7 K8 K9 K15 K16 K17 K20 K22 K23 K24 |
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Duty 13 Complete case assessment documentation as necessary in line with statutory and organisational requirements |
K1 K2 K5 K7 K8 K14 K16 K17 K18 K20 K23 K24 K25 |
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Duty 14 Communicate with third parties, clients, doctors, internal and external stakeholders, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring the business delivers the highest level of care and service to the client and the deceased |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K12 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 |
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Duty 15 Deliver and participate in on-going learning and continuous development of self and team |
K1 K2 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 |
K1: Industry standards, regulations and legislation, where to access information and how to implement in your work
Back to Duty
K2: Organisational policies, protocols and procedures for embalmers and the embalming cases they perform.
Back to Duty
K3: The procedures for ordering supplies and use of preferred suppliers
Back to Duty
K4: Required stock levels for embalming consumables and sundries in line with scope of practice including management of stock levels
Back to Duty
K5: Dealing with incidents and accidents in the embalming theatre
Back to Duty
K6: Implications of variations in size and weight of the deceased on the embalming process
Back to Duty
K7: How to act within own scope of practice and who to escalate any issues to
Back to Duty
K8: Specific needs of clients, the deceased person or next of kin e.g. religious, cultural, age, gender requirements and the restrictions these may impose on the embalming process
Back to Duty
K9: Products, methods and equipment for effective post-embalming cleaning, sterilisation and disinfection including the management of general and hazardous waste
Back to Duty
K10: The importance of choosing the appropriate methods and tools for communicating with all stakeholders, clients or colleagues adapting style and technique to suit the specific situation
Back to Duty
K11: The importance of keeping up-to-date with embalming knowledge, techniques and equipment and how to research this information
Back to Duty
K12: Coaching and mentoring techniques
Back to Duty
K13: History of embalming, the reasons for modern embalming, the psychological implications of death and the role of the embalmer.
Back to Duty
K14: How cytology, histology, microbiology and pathology apply to the embalming process
Back to Duty
K15: Requirements for the safe use, dilution, storage, contact time, protective personal equipment and mixing of chemicals and disinfectants in embalming
Back to Duty
K16: Constituents and properties of embalming fluids and chemical terminology in embalming
Back to Duty
K17: How an embalming theatre is designed including temperature control and ventilation, equipment, instruments and consumables and how to use them safely during the embalming process
Back to Duty
K18: Anatomy and physiology relevant to the embalming process
Back to Duty
K19: Systems in the body that impact the embalming process
Back to Duty
K20: Natural changes and stages that occur after death and how they impact on embalming
Back to Duty
K21: Pre-embalming operational techniques and procedures for adult and child autopsy and non-autopsy cases
Back to Duty
K22: Embalming operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases, in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
Back to Duty
K23: Pre embalming of special conditions, for autopsy or non-autopsy cases in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
Back to Duty
K24: Post embalming operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases, in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
Back to Duty
K25: Systems and technology that supports embalming case recording
Back to Duty
K26: Key requirements, information and correct process for how and when to complete a risk assessment in the embalming workplace
Back to Duty
S1: Carry out pre embalming operational techniques for autopsy or non-autopsy cases in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
Back to Duty
S2: Carry out embalming operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases, in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
Back to Duty
S3: Carry out pre embalming of special conditions operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
Back to Duty
S4: Carry out post embalming operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases, in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
Back to Duty
S5: Apply local standard operating procedures to embalming activities including monitoring and maintaining the safety and hygienic condition of the embalming theatre and equipment
Back to Duty
S6: Manage and monitor the repair and replacement of damaged equipment in the embalming theatre
Back to Duty
S7: Ensure the embalming theatre is safe and ready to use
Back to Duty
S8: Manage, order and monitor stock rotation and control in line with organisational requirements
Back to Duty
S9: Carry out audit planning and reporting in accordance with scope of practice
Back to Duty
S10: Ensure that the correct identification of the deceased and recording of personal effects has been carried out in accordance with local standard operating procedures and report any anomalies
Back to Duty
S11: Undertake the deceased person or their next of kin instructions, following conditions pertaining to religious and cultural requirements, cause of death, infection risk, funeral date and any further information that may impact the embalming process
Back to Duty
S12: Complete risk assessments on equipment and embalming room environment as per local standard operating procedures
Back to Duty
S13: Remove from the deceased, safely dispose of or return soiled items according to legislation and local standard operating procedures
Back to Duty
S14: Adapt workload based on initial assessment of the deceased, business and client requirements, timescales and in collaboration with the wider team
Back to Duty
S15: Adapt methods and styles of communication to suit the needs of individuals
Back to Duty
S16: Ensure all legal and organisational paperwork is completed, reporting any risks and discrepancies where appropriate
Back to Duty
S17: Manage, monitor and carry out cleaning schedule in line with local standard operating procedures, reporting risks and issues, escalating where appropriate
Back to Duty
S18: Manage the standard of care within the embalming theatre challenging inappropriate behaviour and practice, identifying training needs and reporting where appropriate
Back to Duty
S19: Role model best practice and actively seek out areas for continuous professional and personal development
Back to Duty
S20: Use technology safely and securely when using, recording and storing embalming case data and information related to the deceased and clients in line with the General Data Protection Regulation requirements, and standard operating procedures
Back to Duty
S21: Safe use, mixing and handling of chemicals and disinfectants when completing embalming processes
Back to Duty
B1: Professional, respectful and considerate of the diverse needs of individuals
Back to Duty
B2: Treat colleagues, clients and the deceased with dignity, empathy and sensitivity at all times
Back to Duty
B3: Be adaptable, resilient, flexible and able to multi-task
Back to Duty
B4: Adopt critical thinking to judge situations and solve problems as they arise
Back to Duty
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 09/01/2024 | Not set |
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