NAFD Funeral Arranging and Administration (FAA) Certificate flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Funeral arranger's core role

Gather the client's instructions, give accurate information, prepare documentation, present costs and coordinate third parties, acting as the client's administrative agent without making funeral decisions for them.

Is funeral directing licensed?

No. Funeral directing is not a reserved or protected title in the UK, and there is no single statutory licence to practise; voluntary trade body codes apply instead.

Professional boundary for arrangers

Explain options, costs and processes, but do not give legal, medical or financial advice; signpost to qualified professionals when those issues arise.

Open versus closed questions

Open questions invite fuller explanation and gather information; closed questions confirm specific facts and are useful for checking details and costs.

Reflective summary technique

Restating the client's key instructions back to them in your own words to confirm accuracy and correct misunderstandings before documentation is completed.

Barrier to communication

Anything that obstructs understanding, such as jargon, assumptions, noise, euphemism overload or unmanaged emotion; identify and remove it during the interview.

Arrangement interview sequence

Introduce and condole, confirm identity and authority, gather deceased details, take instructions, present options, confirm costs, and agree next steps.

Rite versus ritual

A rite is a prescribed set of ceremonial acts; a ritual is a symbolic repeated action; a custom is a locally or family established practice.

Islamic burial requirements

Generally prompt burial, ritual washing (ghusl), shrouding (kafan), and positioning the body facing Mecca, with the funeral held as soon as practicable.

Jewish burial practice

Generally prompt burial with no cremation, often simple rites; mourning may include shiva, seven days of mourning observed after the funeral.

Humanist ceremony

A non-religious funeral led by a celebrant, focusing on the person's life and values, with no religious authority or liturgy.

Contract essentials

Offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to create legal relations; the signed arrangement form typically evidences the funeral contract.

Cremation form set

The application for cremation (Form 1) plus medical confirmations (Form 4) or medical referee authorisation (Form 5), as applicable, before cremation.

Rights of burial

The grant by a burial authority of the exclusive right to be buried in a specified grave for a stated period, recorded in a grave deed.

Disbursement definition

A payment the funeral director makes to a third party on the client's behalf, such as crematorium, cemetery, minister, florist or newspaper charges.

Estimate versus quotation

A quotation is a fixed offer; an estimate is a prediction that may change. State clearly which is being provided and why.

Itemising the estimate

Separate the funeral director's own charges from third-party disbursements, and state whether each disbursement is fixed or estimated.

VAT on disbursements

Disbursements meeting the VAT definition are outside the scope; the funeral director's own services are generally outside the scope as a funeral. Check current HMRC guidance.

FCA funeral plan regime

Funeral plan contracts are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority; providing or administering them without authorisation is a criminal offence.

FCA regime start date

The FCA funeral plan regime for providers began on 29 July 2022, with rules on fair treatment and clear pre-need disclosure.

CMA funerals order

Requires funeral directors to provide price lists, itemised quotes and disclosure of the number of funerals arranged, supporting informed comparison.

Exhumation licence

Exhumation requires a licence from the Ministry of Justice, plus compliance with burial authority and public health requirements.

Green form

The certificate for burial or cremation issued after death registration, authorising disposal; the coroner issues it where a death is referred.

Mortuary storage temperature

Standard refrigerated storage is around 4°C; cold slows decomposition but does not reverse it and does not replace timely arrangements.

Universal precautions

Treat all body fluids as potentially infectious, using gloves, aprons, eye protection and safe sharps handling for every deceased person.

COSHH requirement

Assess hazardous substances such as formaldehyde and disinfectants, apply controls, and keep records of assessments and exposure monitoring.

Embalming process

Arterial injection of preservative fluid with drainage, plus cavity treatment; authority must be established and it is not always required.

Coffin material restrictions

Crematoria may limit coffin materials and dimensions; check the specific crematorium's current regulations before ordering a coffin.

Hearse versus limousine

A hearse carries the coffin; a limousine carries mourners. Bearers may be funeral director staff or family members.

Cortege timing

The route and timings must be agreed with the crematorium or cemetery to avoid overrunning the allocated service slot.

Complicated grief indicators

Prolonged or severe grief, social isolation, prior mental health difficulty, or sudden traumatic death warrant signposting to specialist bereavement support.

Bereavement signposting

Direct clients to GP, Cruse Bereavement Support, Samaritans, Winston's Wish for children, SOBS for bereavement by suicide, and local hospices.

Arranger's support boundary

The arranger offers supportive listening and signposting; counselling and diagnosis are outside the role and should be referred onward.