its public policy position is that all individuals who arrange funeral services on a preneed basis must be licensed funeral directors, via the CPC program, NFDA is committed to raising the professional standards of all individuals who are currently allowed by their state laws to plan funerals.
To maintain the highest ethical and moral standards, in accordance with the NFDA Code of Professional Conduct, NFDA and its funeral directors are committed to the long-term vision of ensuring that every consumer receives the best, most caring, respectful, ethical, and lawful professional service when they choose to plan a funeral in advance. In addition, although Chapter summary Many consumers do no realize that they are not legally required to use a funeral home to plan and conduct a funeral. However, because many people have little experience with the various details and legal requirements involved in the funeral planning process and are often emotionally distressed when they are required to do so, the services of a professional funeral director and their staff can be a comfort. Similarly, some customers find Conclusion A history of less-than-honest practices within the funeral industry as well as the industry’s rapid growth led to the need for both government is an important component of ensuring a high level of service to grieving families, community members, and deceased persons. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is one of the primary governing bodies that regulate commercial practices within the funeral industry. It oversees the industry and is the enforcer of the Funeral Rule, which disallows false advertising and deceptive services, while striving to keep the market competitive. In addition to the Rule, the National Funeral Directors’ Association (NFDA) provides a code of conduct to which member funeral homes should adhere. This raises the bar of service and creates an honest, transparent environment within the industry. Funeral homes also have the option of joining the Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), which applies the golden rule of conduct to all business transactions. Further certification for funeral professionals wishing to engage in preneed arrangements for customers who want to specify their Federal Trade Commission (FTC). (2002). Review of the Funeral Industry Practices Trade Regulation Rule . 16 CFR Part 453 Public Record (215-266). http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/ rulemaking/funeral/mandreview.shtm. National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). (2022a). Code of professional conduct . https://nfda.org/Portals/0/NFDAORG/About/Professional_Conduct/Code-of-Professional- Conduct.pdf References
comfort in making arrangements for their own funeral before their death. These preneed arrangements are subject to the same regulations as at-need funerals and should adhere to the CPC code of ethics. Regardless of whether a funeral professional is certified through the CPC examination, they should treat all preneed customers and their families with dignity and respect, and they should consider their wishes. future funeral wishes is available through the NFDA’s Certified Preplanning Consultant exam. The modern funeral director is a self-regulated professional who provides goods and services to the general public with the highest level of dignity and respect while demonstrating these same standards to their colleagues and apprentices. There is no premade plan or set of rules to deal with or established ways to react to ethical challenges; however, the aforementioned governing bodies, professional associations, and codes of conduct provide a solid framework within which we can deliver high-quality and respectful service. This course is intended to help all licensed funeral directors recognize and think through ethical issues when they arise, predetermine ethical dilemmas that may present themselves, and contribute to their overall knowledge of the ethical decision- making process.
National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). (2022b). CPC code of ethics . https://nfda. org/education/certification-programs/cpc-code-of-ethics Snedegar, J. (n.d.). Ethics and contrastivism. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy . https:// iep.utm.edu/ethics-and-contrastivism/
ETHICAL STANDARDS IN THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY Final Examination Questions Select the best answer for each question and mark your answers on the Final Examination Answer Sheet found on page 115, or complete your test online at EliteLearning.com/Book
4. ______ ethics is the branch tells us how we can achieve moral outcomes- in a particular circumstance. a. Descriptive. b. Applied. c. Meta. d. Normative. 5. ______ are written into many of our laws, but ethics in and of itself goes beyond what is deemed strictly legal. a. Principles. b. Funeral Rules.
1. By the mid-____, there were more than 50,000 funeral directors and 25,000 operating funeral homes in the United States. a. 1940s. b. 1960s. c. 1950s. d. 1980s. 2. The Funeral Rule, or “the Rule,” as it is usually called, was re-enacted and changed slightly in ______.
a. 1994. b. 1984. c. 1996. d. 1985.
c. Ethical Standards. d. Codes of Conduct. 6. The Funeral Rule is enforced by the ______.
a. FTC. b. FDA. c. NFDA. d. CPC.
3. ______ is defined as the principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity. a. Values. b. Funeral Rule.
c. Values. d. Ethics.
Book Code: FTX1624
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