Cemeterian™ Operations and Management (ILC-OL)

Cemeterian™ Operations and Management (ILC-OL)

Monday, May 9 to Thursday, May 12, 2022, Instructor-led Course Online
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Course Instructor: George Barnes, Barnes Cemetery Training and Consulting Services

A cemetery is defined as “land that has been set aside for the interment of human remains.” The reality is that cemeteries are also workplaces. Cemetery workers are general ground maintenance workers with priority being the tending to graves and memorial sites. Additional duties include interments, assessing stability of memorials, maintaining cemetery furniture and other related infrastructure. What places them apart from traditional grounds workers is the sensitivity required to provide a compassionate and professional environment. The grieving process must be understood when dealing with persons especially those not wanting to comply with cemetery rules of conduct and proper operation of the cemetery. Additionally, working near heavy equipment, use and care of specialty tools associated with cemetery operations in all types of weather conditions can be high risk if not performed correctly.

Cemetery workers are covered under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and as such must meet the obligation of “competent person” as defined in the Act. The Act further requires that burial authorities provide a safe workplace and systems of work that will protect the employees, persons attending and officiating at funerals, visitors and any other person that may use a cemetery. The training course has been designed to showcase proven safe work practices and to encourage a process of thought that will assist with accident prevention while ensuring professional conduct by those responsible for daily cemetery operations

Course Topics:

Day 1

• History of Cemeteries: Debt of Honour & A Cemetery Special
• Cemetery Legislation
• Cemetery By-laws
• Cemetery Record keeping

Day 2

• Cemetery funding
• Cemetery Design
• Types of Burials and Graves
• Revenue Generation 
• Types of Memorials
• Cemetery Procedures: lot layout, openings and closings, foundations, grounds maintenance.

Day 3

• Cemetery Procedures
• Marker installation, false set-ups, notifications
• Cemetery Inspections
• Risk Management
• Archeology and skeletal remains discovery

Day 4

• Dealing with the Bereaved – sensitivity training 
• Funeral Director/ Cemetery Operator Relations

Wrap-up

• Online Exam available 24/7: Opens Thursday, May 12th (3:00 pm EST) and closes Thursday, May 19th (11:59 pm EST)

NOTE: This course will be taught using Zoom. Participants need no special computer skills or set-up other than:

• setting up a personal FREE Zoom basic account 
• an internet connection that should be able to provide a data download and upload minimum speeds of one Megabit per second (Mbps) or better - broadband connection is recommended.
• a computer and monitor
• a webcam, not compulsory but recommended
• a microphone
• desire to interact, network, and learn from the comfort of their home/office. 

All course instruction and examination will be completed online in real time.

Workplace-Specific Training: A reminder is given to facility supervisory staff that to complete the educational process successful participants must return to work and be provided with workplace-specific training.

Instructor: George Barnes, ADA, Director of Parks and Outside Services, City of Cambridge (Retired)

This course is worth 28 professional development credits towards recertification of any ORFA professional designation