Refueling of a nuclear reactor (40) includes removing a fuel assembly (10). The removal method includes lowering a lifting tool (80) of a crane (44) onto a top of the fuel assembly. The lowered lifting tool including a plurality of downwardly extending elements (82) that surround and vertically overlap a portion (74) of a control rod assembly (70) extending above the top of the fuel assembly. The downwardly extending elements are locked with corresponding mating features (26) at the top of the fuel assembly to connect the lifting tool with the fuel assembly. The connected fuel assembly is moved into a spent fuel pool (42) using the crane, and the lifting tool is disconnected from the top of the fuel assembly by unlocking the downwardly extending elements from the corresponding mating features at the top of the fuel assembly.