SIF40125

Certificate IV in Funeral Services 

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Make a real difference

If you want meaningful work that serves people and community at a critical time, funeral service is a strong choice. This course gives you practical skills, sound judgment and the confidence to support families when a person has died. You will learn with trainers who work in the sector, using real cases and work based activities so you can apply your learning straight away.

Why choose this course

• Practical skills you can use from day one

• Trainers with current industry experience

• Culturally safe, accessible learning for all backgrounds and learning styles

• Clear, supportive teaching with plain English and captions

• Strong focus on safe work, care, consent and ethics

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Who this course is for

This qualification has been skilfully designed to meet the learning needs of all learners, with practical, written and visual learning tools. This qualification is best suited for: 

• New entrants who want a  start in the industry

• Current staff and volunteers who want nationally recognised skills

• People in allied roles, such as community health or pastoral care, who support families around death and dying.

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What you will learn

• How the sector works. Roles, responsibilities, ethics and law in everyday practice

• Communication with care. Working with families, cultural awareness, boundaries and documentation

• Safe work. WHS, infection control, manual handling, chemicals and incident response

• Practical skills. Transfers, arranging and conducting services, coordinating teams, basic mortuary care and presentation

• Mortuary Skills 

• AfterCare awareness. Referrals, community resources and respectful follow up

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Course structure and delivery

• Mode: Online self paced learning with live trainer support and scheduled workshops

• Duration: Typical 12- 18 months depending on experience and placement hours

• Assessment: Case scenarios, short responses, workplace tasks, simulated role plays, and a final competency conversation

• Accessibility: Captions, transcripts, readable layouts, screen reader friendly files and flexible timelines where needed

• Cultural safety: Content shaped with community leaders and cultural experts. Local protocols are respected and discussed

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Our unit selection

Below is Riteskill’s current unit set for the Certificate IV in Funeral Services. Final units may be adjusted in line with training package or workplace needs at enrolment.

Core Units

• SIFXIND002 Work effectively in the funeral services industry

• SIFXIND003 Deal with grief responses

• SIFXMGT001 Co-ordinate teams 

• SIFXMGT003 Supervise Staff 

• SIFXWHS003 Implement and monitor work health and safety procedures

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Elective Units

• SIFFFNL005 Arrange funerals 

• SIFFFNL008 Coordinate funeral operations 

• SIFFFNL009 Conduct funerals 

• SIFFFNL010 Plan and conduct funeral ceremonies 

• SIFXCSS002 advise on funeral and burial products and services 

• SIFEMWK003 Determine body preparation requirements 

• SIFEMWK008 dress the deceased and apply cosmetics 

• SIFEMWK004 Coordinate mortuary operations 

• SIFXWHS002 Follow Infection and contamination control procedures

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​All 14 units must be completed to achieve this qualification 

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Work placement

Learning is grounded in real work. Placement helps you build confidence and evidence for assessment.

• Recommended placement: 275 hours across the course period 

• Setting: Funeral home 

• Supervision: An experienced funeral director or supervisor will sign your placement record

• What you will do:

  • Assist with first calls, transfers and safe equipment use

  • Support arrangement meetings and complete paperwork under supervision

  • Help coordinate a ceremony, graveside or crematorium attendance

  • Assist with viewings and care of the person with dignity and privacy

  • Apply WHS procedures, manual handling and incident reporting

  • Contribute to AfterCare follow up through supervised phone or resource sharing

Placement Locations: 

1. Port Macquarie NSW 

2. Wollongong NSW 

3. Canberra ACT 

*Other locations are applicable upon application. 

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Placement Conditions

• ​Learners must have their own transport to and from placement locations. 

• Vaccination record may be required. 

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Time commitment

• Study time: Around 6 to 8 hours per week for most learners

• Work placement: Flexible scheduling to suit you and your workplace

• Workshops: Short live sessions across the term for Q&A and scenarios

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Entry requirements

• You must be at least 18 years of age (unless otherwise approved by RiteSkill)

• Sound spoken and written English

• Physical ability for safe manual handling with training provided

• Current Police Check and vaccination status may be required by work placement locations 

• Driver licence is helpful for transfer tasks but not essential for enrolment. 

Support and accessibility

We are here to support you from your first login to your final assessment. Tell us what you need. We can provide extra time, alternative formats and one to one check ins. All content uses plain English and includes captions and transcripts. Training is culturally safe and developed through consultation with community and cultural experts.

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Pathways and careers

• Funeral director or arranger

• Mortuary assistant

• Transfer and logistics team member

• Community liaison or AfterCare coordinator

• Pathways to further study such as leadership and management, community services or training and assessment​

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Why join the industry? 

You will be part of work that matters. This sector serves people at a tender time and holds community trust. The skills you gain are practical, portable and respected. You will learn to combine calm organisation with care, uphold dignity at every step and help families make informed choices. Many learners tell us it is the most meaningful work they have ever done.

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 Fees and funding 

Course Fee: $4,120.00 AUD (GST Exclusive) Payable Quarterly​

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• Individuals: Pay per course fee schedule (Quarterly) -

  • Please contact us for other payment options. 

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• Teams: Volume pricing and reporting for employers

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• Scholarships: Student Subsidies are available for select students  

Check Eligibility Here. 

Apply for RiteSkill Student Scholarships ​

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How to enrol

1. Submit an enquiry with your goals and any prior experience

2. We confirm the unit set and placement plan with you

3. Complete enrolment 

4. Start learning 

Enquire or enrol today
Email: enrolments@riteskill.edu.au
 

FAQs

Can I study while working full time
Yes. The course is designed for flexible study. Set a steady weekly plan and we will help you keep momentum.

What if I cannot secure a placement
We will assist you to approach suitable organisations. Where appropriate we use high quality simulations to evidence skills while you continue to seek hours.

Do you recognise prior learning
Yes. You can apply for RPL or credit transfer at enrolment. Bring your statements of attainment or evidence of experience.

Is the course accessible
Yes. Materials are readable and screen reader friendly. All media includes captions and transcripts. We will make reasonable adjustments where needed.

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Course Structure

Month 1-3

Month 4 - 9

Month 10 - 12