professional practice, with care and concern for public safety and welfare. Practice by unlicensed personnel, including aiding or abetting an unlicensed person, or assisting him/ her in representing him/herself as a licensed embalmer or funeral director, is unethical and illegal. Colleagues across the industry should share a relationship of mutual respect and consideration. In cases where two funeral directors work together, they have a professional obligation to transact services in a fair and equitable manner. When there is transportation, release of remains, or accommodation of the body in which embalming services are performed at another funeral director’s facility, for example, procedures should transpire 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 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 the 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 a level of training and Other public and private agencies The funeral director makes contact with family members and representatives of various groups, agencies, or 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, increasing public awareness of these topics and the grieving process. Information released to the press for preparation of the obituary should be discrete and sensitive to the needs of the family, omitting details they would prefer not be in print. 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 the death certificate. 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 or discussed, if necessary, with members of the family,
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 which may be considered defamation, including comments regarding the funeral director’s ability to enter into a legal contract or provide appropriate services. Do not question another business’ credit standing, employee’s skill or abilities of staff members, 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, staff, or any other misleading remarks. You should be beyond reproach in this matter. professionalism of the 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. Make sure information is factual and appropriately reflects or represents the deceased. The individual practitioner is responsible to the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing and Disciplinary Board, 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. 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 body organs or tissue is 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.
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Book Code: FOK0425
EliteLearning.com/Funeral
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