LINE OF DUTY DEATHS
This must be considered by all involved, as the family members are the final decision makers. Members of any of the agencies and organizations typically share a close and fraternal bond. This bond can be expressed in widely used expressions common to law enforcement and the fire service. As an example, a commonly used expression for law enforcement is “brothers and sisters in blue,” while one often used in the fire service is “my brother’s keeper.” Both expressions lend insight into the familiar bond members of these organizations share. When a colleague passes away, people utilize many traditions and customs to show respect while honoring that person’s memory. These traditions and customs vary between agencies and groups, while many remain the same. Subsequent sections will explore practices specific to law enforcement, the fire service, and other organizations. When a member of one these organizations is killed or passes away, the fellow members of the organization will most commonly rally around the surviving family members. Families of fellow officers, personnel from other agencies, and citizens from the community will often stand ready to assist and support the family of the fallen hero. Many departments and agencies will have written policies and procedures to be followed for the services after a Line of Duty Death. There will normally be written protocols to be followed by larger departments, and those who have experienced Line of Duty Deaths in the past. Many smaller law enforcement agencies and fire departments do not have formal policies in place. These departments will often have limited or no experience in these types of services. A funeral director with a working knowledge of the common traditions and honors can be an incredible asset to a grieving family, a department, and a community. When a funeral director is notified of a death and asked to handle the service, it is of utmost importance for the director to be aware of the procedures and policies the department may have in place. A director who has a firm base of knowledge of the most common procedures will be prepared to follow the procedures that a department has established. A director prepared in this way will likewise be a tremendous resource to departments and agencies who do not have written procedures to follow or experience in Line of Duty Deaths. following a Line of Duty Death. These services will require multiple members of the staff from the funeral home working together closely with various members of the agency or organization. It is critical in the beginning stages of preparing for a Line of Duty Death service, to establish an effective channel of communication among the members of the funeral home staff. The officials and members of the organization work in a structure similar to military structures. This typically includes a chain of command that is closely followed, with tasks and duties delegated to the responsible individual(s). Many funeral homes are not accustomed to operating in this fashion; however, it is important to establish a plan of how communication and delegation will be handled. For example, if multiple members of the agency were to be communicating with multiple members of the funeral home staff concerning some of the same details, there is a considerable chance of conflicting instructions being delivered. By a funeral home deciding upon and/or appointing one primary point of contact for the cooperating organization, personnel can avoid many confusing and conflicting details. It will certainly require the efforts of more than a single director or one member of the staff to successfully serve the family and organization. Each staff member involved should communicate the details and responsibilities to the lead director, while also receiving details and responsibilities through that one person. This designation should be made clear to the staff of the funeral home that will be involved, as well as to the point(s) of contact
Public servants protect and serve citizens in frequent dangerous and hazardous situations. Personnel who work tirelessly to serve others include law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical, and others. The situations and scenarios these servants voluntarily place themselves in all too often have fatal consequences. When one of these brave men and women honorably makes the ultimate sacrifice, it is considered a Line of Duty Death (LODD). Various agencies and organizations define and clarify the scenarios that characterize a Line of Duty Death differently. However, generally, a death while serving in an official capacity within these organizations is considered a Line of Duty Death. However, a manner of death in some other circumstances, while off duty, may also be considered a Line of Duty Death. There are also many honors and traditions that are presented at the service of a retired or past member of these organizations. Arranging, coordinating, and directing a service for a Line of Duty Death requires compassion, understanding, and expertise. A funeral director serving a family, an agency, and a community in this type of service must be prepared to properly serve all involved and affected. This will mean having compassion for the survivors – both family and fellow members of the agency. A director must consider all the emotions that will be involved in preparing for a Line of Duty Death service. Some of these emotions will be healthy and helpful for those involved, while others will not. The director must be acutely attuned to the needs of the family and the agency of the deceased. The surviving family always makes the final decision regarding arrangements. While most family members will welcome the assistance of the agency and are proud for their loved one to receive the honors performed by their loves one’s comrades some do not. This may be due to religious beliefs that prohibit some, or all, of the customs and traditions. There may be situations in which the family possesses ill will or even hostility toward the agency their loved one was a member of. Careers in law enforcement, fire service, and other areas of public service often require sacrifice in one’s personal life. Some families may resent the fact that this sacrifice was made. Some family members may, on some level, blame the agency and/or members of the organization for the death of their loved one. First call The practices of departments will begin almost immediately upon the injury or death of a member of their agency or department. In more metropolitan areas, and when trauma or a crime is involved in the death, the decedent will likely be transported to the office of the medical examiner or coroner. Regardless whether the deceased officially expired at a scene, in a hospital, or elsewhere, the body will normally be escorted to the morgue or place of inquest by fellow members of the department. The escort may be by a formal honor guard or fellow members of the organization. Once the body has arrived at the morgue, one or more designated escorts will likely remain at the facility until which time the body is moved to the next location, such as the funeral home. There may be one or more persons that remain at the morgue facility, or they may rotate at intervals. For many departments, this vigil of standing guard is a traditional honor of respect to both fire service and law enforcement personnel. In cases when the decedent has been in the hospital for a period prior to death, the same practice will normally be held with fellow personnel standing guard. In instances in which the funeral home can take the decedent into their care from the place of death, coordination of the escorts will need to be considered. The coordination and cooperation between the funeral home personnel and the agency which the deceased was a member of will need to begin immediately upon the first call notification. There will be many moving parts and considerable planning will prove to be crucial in arranging and directing the services
Page 106
Book Code: FTX1624
EliteLearning.com/Funeral
Powered by FlippingBook