Model agency worker departed (8)
I believe the answer is:
template
'model' is the definition.
(template is a kind of model)
'agency worker departed' is the wordplay.
'agency worker' becomes 'temp' (temporary worker sent from an agency).
'departed' becomes 'late' (late can mean deceased).
'temp'+'late'='TEMPLATE'
(Other definitions for template that I've seen before include "Pattern for document etc" , "Model or standard for making comparisons" , "Preset file or document format" , "Pattern, model" , "gauge" .)