Operative Skills

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Operative Skills

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These modules have been designed for members of staff who are providing the manual skills in a funeral business, such as operatives, technicians, drivers and pall bearers. Individual modules may be taken, depending on your line of work.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Our Health & Safety and Foundation modules must be completed or in progress before these units are studied.

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AVAILABLE DATES

Select a date to see more details.

  • 3 Feb 2026 09:00 - 11:00
    Swindon
    Full schedule
    • Unit: OP1 OP2 OP3 OP4

  • 12 Feb 2026 10:00 - 11:15
    Glasgow
    Full schedule
    • Unit: OP1 OP4 OP3 OP2

  • 3 Mar 2026 10:00 - 17:00
    Newport
    Full schedule
    • Unit: OP1 OP2 OP3 OP4

  • 24 Mar 2026 10:00 - 17:00
    Newport
    Full schedule
    • Unit: OP1 OP2 OP3 OP4

  • 8 Sep 2026 09:00 - 11:00
    Virtual, Via Zoom
    Full schedule
    • Unit: OP1 OP2

    • Unit: OP3 OP4

  • 22 Oct 2026 09:00 - 11:00
    Glasgow
    Full schedule
    • Unit: OP1 OP2 OP3 OP4

  • 4 Nov 2026 09:00 - 11:00
    Virtual, Via Zoom
    Full schedule
    • Unit: OP1 OP2

    • Unit: OP3 OP4

For Business BUY MULTIPLE

WHAT'S INCLUDED

OP1: Transportation and Care of a Person who has died
UNIT: OP1 OP1: Transportation and Care of a Person who has died

Level 3 - 6 Credits

This module provides essential training on safely and respectfully bringing a deceased person into the care of a funeral company. It covers pre-transfer checks, recognising signs of death, handling and transportation procedures from various locations, working with the Coroner and more. Learning outcomes:
  • Learn how to undertake checks on information, vehicles and equipment prior to bringing someone into the care of the company.
  • Understand the signs and test for death.
  • Understand how to move a person who has died safely, respectfully and with care.
  • Understand how to move a person from a hospital, care home, private address or hospice to the funeral director’s premises.
  • Understand how to move a person on behalf of the Coroner/Police Scotland.
  • Learn about the identification, personal effects and paperwork associated with bringing a person into the care of the company.
CURRICULUM
Learning Outcome 1: Be able to carry out initial checks prior to departure
Learning Outcome 2: Know how to recognise the signs of death and the tests used to confirm death
Learning Outcome 3: Be able to move a person who has died to a viewing room or mortuary safely, respectfully and with care
Learning Outcome 4: Be able to move person who has died from various establishments
Learning Outcome 5: Be able to carry out all necessary checks and procedures after bringing a person who has died into own company’s care
Practical Tasks Statement
OP2: Understanding Coffin and Casket Finishing
UNIT: OP2 OP2: Understanding Coffin and Casket Finishing

Level 2 - 3 Credits

Our OP2 module provides an understanding of different types of coffins and caskets, including environmental considerations. It covers preparation for cremation, burial and natural burial, as well as handling and storing cremated remains with proper record-keeping. Learning outcomes:
  • Understand the range of coffins and caskets.
  • Learn about the environmental issues relating to coffins and caskets.
  • Gain knowledge of coffin and casket preparation for cremation and burial (including natural burial).
  • Discover how to prepare cremated remains caskets and containers.
  • Understand the process of transferring cremated remains to caskets or containers.
  • Learn about record keeping and safe storage of cremated remains.
CURRICULUM
Learning Outcome 1: Know the coffin and casket range of own company
Learning Outcome 2: Understand the environmental issues surrounding burial and cremation
Learning Outcome 3: Understand how to prepare a coffin/casket for burial or cremation
Learning Outcome 4: Be able to prepare containers for the scattering/interment/keeping of cremated remains and understand the need for safe storage
Practical Tasks Statement
OP3: Understanding the Responsibilities of the Funeral Driver and Bearer
UNIT: OP3 OP3: Understanding the Responsibilities of the Funeral Driver and Bearer

Level 2 - 6 Credits

This module covers the essential role of drivers and bearers, from vehicle maintenance to pre-funeral checks and coffin bearing techniques. It also focuses on professional conduct when supporting the bereaved and how to provide compassionate care in sensitive situations. Learning outcomes:
  • Gain knowledge of vehicle checks and the recording of routine maintenance.
  • Learn about exterior and interior vehicle cleaning.
  • Understand the various pre-funeral checks.
  • Understand the responsibilities of the hearse driver and limousine driver.
  • Learn the appropriate conduct when dealing with the bereaved.
  • Discover coffin bearing techniques for cremations and burials.
  • Learn how to provide professional support in challenging and sensitive circumstances.
CURRICULUM
Learning Outcome 1: Know how to maintain vehicles to the specified requirements or a high standard
Learning Outcome 2: Know how to carry out preparatory checks prior to a funeral
Learning Outcome 3: Understand the responsibilities of the hearse driver and the limousine driver
Learning Outcome 4: Be able to carry a coffin, lower at graveside or place coffin on trestles or catafalque
Learning Outcome 5: Understand how to provide professional support and deal with challenging and sensitive circumstances
Practical Tasks Statement
OP4: Understanding and Applying Good Mortuary Practice
UNIT: OP4 OP4: Understanding and Applying Good Mortuary Practice

Level 3 - 4 Credits

This module offers a comprehensive understanding of the respectful and professional care of the deceased. It explores the importance of client consent in body preparation, best practices for preservation, and the techniques involved. You will also gain insight into the critical role of security in maintaining the integrity of the mortuary environment. Learning outcomes:
  • Understand the importance of client permission in relation to body preparation.
  • Learn about the optimum conditions for storing the body of a person who has died.
  • Gain knowledge of invasive and non-invasive body preparation procedures.
  • Understand dressing and coffining practices and procedures.
  • Understand how to monitor the body of a person who has died.
  • Learn about mortuary security and access.
CURRICULUM
Learning Outcome 1: Understand the importance of client permissions in relation to body preparation
Learning Outcome 2: Understand optimum conditions for the storing of the body of a person who has died
Learning Outcome 3: Know basic body preparation procedures
Learning Outcome 4: Know how to apply procedures and processes associated with the dressing and coffining of a person who has died
Learning Outcome 5: Understand the need for checking and reporting on the condition of a body in the company’s care
Learning Outcome 6: Understand the importance of mortuary security and the procedures to be followed
Practical Tasks Statement