Chapter 3: COVID–19: The Complete Guide for Funeral Directors and Embalmers 2 CE Hours
By: Stephen Born, CFSP, MBIE
Learning objectives After completing this course, the learner will be able to: Upon completion of this course, the learner should be able to: Explain what the COVID–19 virus is. Give examples of why COVID turned into a worldwide pandemic. List the signs and symptoms of an individual infected with COVID. Course overview SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID–19, is a novel coronavirus that has become a worldwide pandemic. It is an acute upper respiratory disease affecting the alveoli of the lungs, which has resulted in a significant number of deaths. It is essential that funeral directors and embalmers take on a proactive approach to eliminate the spread of this virus in their profession. There are meaningful steps to prevent the spread of the virus. They should be implemented while conducting first call transfers, funeral arrangements, visitations and funerals, and preparing the
Formulate a plan to combat COVID and protect the funeral home administration. Explain how COVID has changed the way we do a funeral service. Actively adopt new personal protective procedures during funerals.
remains of the deceased. There are quite different procedures and techniques the embalmer will incorporate while handling and embalming the deceased. Embalmers should adhere to strict and mandatory guidelines while embalming or handling the remains of an individual who has died of COVID, and incorporate the uncompromising use of personal protective equipment. This comprehensive guide will allow the reader to format an action plan to create a safe work environment for the entire funeral home administration and the families it serves.
INTRODUCTION
health care systems and other first responders, leaving funeral homes ill-equipped without the imperative supplies. Then there was the systematic price gouging of products by other online companies. Because all mortuaries are a business and open to the public, there is an obligation to protect the mortuary staff and the clients that they serve. Funeral homes have had to incorporate a new course of action that manages the safety of the overall operations. These new procedures are to protect not only the funeral home administration or the embalmer during mortuary preparations but, most important, the community at large. This comprehensive guide will demonstrate that the funeral home is most certainly an important business for the critical infrastructure and the employees within are without a doubt a vital last responder. Mask : A piece of fabric, varying in width, serves as a barrier against splashes, droplets, and spit. There is no sealing qualities, and are they disposable. Pandemic : A worldwide outbreak and spread of a new infectious disease. Respirator : Piece of equipment that protects the user from airborne particles. They come in full face and half face. Appropriate cartridges are threaded into the respirator. There are sealing qualities, and they are reusable.
As we are all aware, COVID–19 has not only disrupted our personal lives from elbow bumps to face masks, but has also deviated the entire operations of the funeral industry. Our standard operating procedures were, in many ways, insufficient to combat the pandemic and protect ourselves from this dynamic and deadly disease. When the virus first took hold in March 2020, the services offered were direct burials, graveside services, or direct cremations. Funeral services were attended through Zoom or Facetime, and those who were allowed to attend in person were limited to 10 to 50 individuals. Furthermore, it soon became apparent that the personal protective equipment (PPE) department in the funeral home was inadequate to handle this acute upper respiratory disease. Because of the surge of PPE orders across the country, many mortuary companies could not fulfill the orders because of a widespread shortage. Additionally, the federal government required all available PPE supplies to be reserved for the public Aerosolization : A fine mist or dispersal of particles into the air. These fine particles can be inhaled into the lungs. Face seal fit : A test to confirm that a respirator forms a tight seal around the wearer's face. To achieve satisfactory results for the best protection, there must be positive and negative pressure tests with no leaks. Fomite : A contaminated object such as a used tissue, water fountains, door knobs, or any other soft or hard object that spreads infectious diseases. Lipid bilayer : A thin membrane compound that consists of two layers of fatty acids. They contain oils, fats, and wax components.
GLOSSARY
EliteLearning.com/Funeral
Book Code: FFL1223
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