regarding the funeral director’s ability to enter into a legal contract or provide appropriate services. Do not question the credit standing of another business, the skills or abilities of employees or staff members, or the acceptability of a facility or equipment used, as any disparaging or misleading statement of this type may be considered defamation. It is unethical for the funeral director to make inflammatory remarks about another funeral home or funeral director regarding private life, business operations, or staff, or to make any other misleading remarks. Be beyond reproach in this matter. operators, who should be open to your inspection. The body of the deceased should be treated with the same care at the crematory that you would show the deceased at your facility. It is also your concern and ethical obligation to ensure that the remains returned to the family are indeed those of the loved one. Funeral directors commonly interact with personnel from other funeral homes, sometimes arranging the removal of the deceased to another location or having the deceased brought to the funeral director’s funeral home for services. If the family has arranged for services or products through the other funeral home, it is unethical and unprofessional for the funeral director to negate or induce breach of any pre-existing agreements with the first funeral home. prefer not to be printed. Make sure information is factual and appropriately reflects or represents the deceased. The individual practitioner is responsible to Arizona’s Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, which has been established by law to regulate the practice of funeral direction and embalming in a way that protects public health and safety. Professional practices should conform with board rules and regulations, which are also legally binding. or discussed, if necessary, with members of the family, the physician, or other authorized individuals. All medical inquiry and questions regarding the cause of death should be directed to the medical examiner, physician, or coroner. Funeral directors are strongly encouraged to support the deceased and/or family members’ wishes regarding the decision to authorize organ and tissue donation or body donation, in cases where the tissue or organs are medically acceptable. While autopsies can complicate funeral preparation and arrangements by presenting a longer waiting period before the funeral, it is important that funeral directors not discourage autopsies or be uncooperative with medical personnel and pathologists involved in an important, sometimes necessary, procedure. Any questions regarding the autopsy should be directed to the medical examiner, pathologist, coroner, or family physician, as appropriate. disease prevention or potential health hazards. A host of conditions have proved potentially hazardous to embalmers’ health, including polio, tuberculosis, legionnaires’ disease, AIDS, and, more recently, even anthrax and new diseases such as West Nile virus and SARS. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) has presented itself as a possible risk. At the height of the pandemic, COVID-19 had an impact on how funerals were conducted (NFDA, 2022) and created strain on funeral professionals. Staying aware of updates in safety precautions and health concerns is important for personal safety but is also vital in shielding yourself from potential litigation.
place according to specific guidelines relating to joint director responsibilities. Give colleagues the loyalty and respect they deserve. It is unethical and unprofessional for professionals or trainees to exploit confidential information to the detriment of another individual during or after the period of employment. Avoid defamation of others by using care and good judgment in any discussion of other funeral directors. Recount statements that are factual in nature. Avoid disparaging or misleading statements that may be considered defamatory, including comments The cemetery or crematory Both crematories and cemeteries require prior notice for use of services, and the funeral director traditionally coordinates with the family’s chosen cemetery or crematory, providing details regarding the time of the service, the type of outer burial container, or any of the other arrangements that need to be made at some time prior to the interment ceremony or cremation. The funeral director, in most cases, assumes responsibility for payment of cemetery or crematory fees. As most funeral homes do not have their own crematories, funeral directors must be able to vouch for the professional and ethical standards held by any third-party contractor. Ideally, the funeral director should inspect the crematory operations at some time before they are needed, to confirm appropriate state licensing and level of training and professionalism of the Other public and private agencies The funeral director makes contact with family members and representatives of various groups, agencies, and organizations, both public and private, in the course of business. Part of your professional obligation is serving an educational role, by being available to discuss any subject relating to funeral services, burial, or cremation, thus increasing public awareness of these topics and the grieving process. Information released to the press for preparation of the obituary should be discreet and sensitive to the needs of the family, omitting details they would Medical and health-related responsibilities Funeral directors and staff members should always be courteous and cooperative in communication or interactions with medical or health and safety personnel. They should cooperate fully and be courteous and discreet in all professional transactions. The funeral director and attending physician are jointly responsible for completion of the certificate of death. After signing, the medical examiner or coroner has the final authority to determine cause of death. In cases where the first physician is unable or unwilling to sign the death certificate, the funeral director is also responsible for finding another physician to sign it. The funeral director is responsible for ensuring that accurate information appears on the death certificate, that it is filed correctly and on time, and that it is given to the family so they can make final arrangements. The information in the death certificate is strictly confidential and is only divulged Public safety Practitioners are required to abide by industry standards of safety and hygiene. Surfaces and materials must be cleaned according to accepted standards of sanitation, meeting all legal health and safety requirements, including universal precautions relating to communicable diseases. The funeral home or related facilities should be maintained in an appropriate fashion, upholding public health and safety standards and regulations for safeguarding the health of the public and staff members. Funeral services must conform to all legal regulations and health laws. Keeping up with continuing education requirements will acquaint you, if necessary, with any new information about communicable
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