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OKLAHOMA Funeral Continuing Education
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COMPLETE YOUR CE BEFORE THE 12-31 DEADLINE
The courses in this book fulfill your 4-hour OK funeral homestudy hours. Also included is the mandatory course “Professional Ethics.”
ELITELEARNING.COM/BOOK Complete this book online with book code: FOK0425 4-Hour Continuing Education Homestudy Package $32.95
WHAT’S INSIDE
Chapter 1: Professional Ethics (Mandatory)
1
[1 CE hour] Professional Ethics are defined, mandatory standards that are established for quality and integrity in the profession. Learn how to navigate unknown, and questionable ethical behavior and be able to
resolve issues of potential conflict. Chapter 2: Advanced Embalming
7
[2 CE hours] The student will gain a deeper understanding of this time-honored practice of embalming and human preservation that has never been more critical in the funeral industry. Chapter 3: Death of a Parent 17 [1 CE hour]
This course will help funeral directors and other funeral professionals serve their grieving clients and families to the best of their abilities. Funeral professionals can help mourners acknowledge their loss and mark this moment with respect. As a funeral professional, your role is to offer a guiding hand as mourners celebrate their deceased with respect and grace. Your clients should be able to look back on this tumultuous time and feel that they did their best to honor their parent. Your goal is that, years later, they will recall the funeral and find warmth and solace. Final Examination Answer Sheet
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©2025: All Rights Reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission or consent of Colibri Healthcare, LLC. The materials presented in this course are meant to provide the consumer with general information on the topics covered. The information provided was prepared by professionals with practical knowledge in the areas covered. It is not meant to provide medical, legal or professional services advice. Colibri Healthcare, LLC recommends that you consult a medical, legal or professional services expert licensed in your state. Colibri Healthcare, LLC has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and up to date at the time of printing, but does not represent or warrant that it will apply to your situation or circumstances and assumes no liability from reliance on these materials. i FUNERAL CONTINUING EDUCATION Book Code: FOK0425
What are the requirements for license renewal? Licenses Expire Frequently Asked Questions
CE Hours Required
Mandatory Subjects
6 In at least two (2) hours of this
Licenses expire on December 31 of each calendar year
continuing education, the Licensee shall be physically present at the location of the presentation.
1 hour Ethics
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Professional Ethics (Mandatory)
Chapter 2:
Advanced Embalming
Chapter 3:
Death of a Parent
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How do I complete this course and receive my certificate of completion? See the following page for step-by-step instructions on how to complete and receive your certificate. Are you an Oklahoma board-approved provider? Colibri Healthcare, LLC is approved by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) (Provider #1046). APFSP also approves all funeral courses. Many states accept APFSP approved courses. Colibri Healthcare, LLC’s courses meet the standards for funeral services continuing education activities in Oklahoma. Are my hours reported to the Oklahoma board? No. The Oklahoma Funeral Board requires licensees to certify at the time of renewal that they have complied with the continuing education requirement. The Board performs audits at which time proof of continuing education must be provided. What information do I need to provide for course completion and certificate issuance? Please provide your license number on the test sheet to receive course credit. Your state may require additional information such as date of birth and/or last 4 of Social Security number; please provide these, if applicable. Is my information secure? Yes! We use SSL encryption, and we never share your information with third-parties. We are also rated A+ by the National Better Business Bureau. What if I still have questions? What are your business hours? No problem, we have several options for you to choose from! Online at EliteLearning.com/Funeral you will see our robust FAQ section that answers many of your questions. Simply click FAQs at the top of the page, email us at office@elitelearning.com, or call us toll-free at 1-888-857-6920, Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm EST. Important information for licensees: Always check your state’s board website to determine the number of hours required for renewal, mandatory topics (as these are subject to change), and the amount that may be completed through home study. Also, make sure that you notify the board of any changes of address. It is important that your most current address is on file. Disclosures Resolution of conflict of interest
Sponsorship/commercial support and non-endorsement It is the policy of Colibri Healthcare, LLC not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners.
Colibri Healthcare, LLC implemented mechanisms prior to the planning and implementation of the continuing education activity, to identify and resolve conflicts of interest for all individuals in a position to control content of the course activity.
Licensing board contact information: Oklahoma Funeral Board 3700 N. Classen, Suite 175 I Oklahoma City, OK 73118 I Phone: (405) 522-1790 I Fax: (405) 522-1797 Website: https://oklahoma.gov/funeral.html
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Book Code: FOK0425
FUNERAL CONTINUING EDUCATION
How To Complete This Book For Credit
Please read these instructions before proceeding.
• Go to EliteLearning.com/Book and enter code FOK0425 in the book code box, then click GO . • Proceed to your exam. If you already have an account, sign in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, you’ll be able to create one now. • Follow the online instructions to complete your exam and finalize your purchase. Upon completion, you’ll receive access to your completion certificate. ONLINE FASTEST AND EASIEST!
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iii
FUNERAL CONTINUING EDUCATION
Book Code: FOK0425
Chapter 1: Professional Ethics (Mandatory) 1 CE Hour
Course overview Professional Ethics are defined, mandatory standards that are established for quality and integrity in the profession. Learning objectives Discuss your ethical responsibility to the profession. Explain your duties and responsibilities to the families you serve. Explain the importance and need for confidentiality.
Learn how to navigate unknown, and questionable ethical behavior and be able to resolve issues of potential conflict.
List a number of funeral-related organizations that teach their own code of ethics. Describe your oversight responsibilities in dealing with third-party contractors or other service professionals.
INTRODUCTION
Professional ethics is a vast field of study, with categories and subcategories relating to every conceivable topic and issue. Many medical and health-related disciplines establish their own ethical codes and standards of conduct, which encapsulate the compiled wisdom of countless individuals and years of professional experience. Their study offers practitioners the opportunity to learn from their predecessors’ mistakes instead of their own. Unlike personal ethics, which are flexible and open to debate, professional ethical codes are formally defined, mandatory standards of conduct established by and for members of professional associations to ensure quality and integrity in the profession. Professionalism is a combination of individual responsibility – personal responsibility on the part of each member of the professional community – combined with the collective responsibility of a formal group or association of practitioners. Ethics refers to principles of right or good conduct. Professional ethics in funeral services means the application of guiding principles of right conduct to the study, practice, and business of funeral service. This chapter addresses a range of issues of concern to the professional funeral director and staff, and introduces a number of concepts important to its ethical practice. Successful completion of the course will equip you with the basic concepts and rationale for ethical decision-making in your practice, to help to navigate unknown ethical territory,
identify questionable behavior, and develop a sense for “red flags” of potential conflict, as well as take steps to resolve these issues. Equally important, it will help you know when to seek professional guidance with a supervisor or mentor in the industry, or turn to other appropriate resources for professional assistance. Because virtually all state licensing authorities, certifying/ accrediting agencies, and professional associations establish their own standards of conduct and ethical guidelines for their members, you will need to refer directly to the organizations and academic or training institutions with which you are affiliated, as well as state, local, and national associations, to review the ethical guidelines that apply specifically to you and your practice. You may also want to refer to literature or web sites of prominent professional organizations like the: ● Funeral Ethics Association FEA: www.fea.org ● National Funeral Directors Association NFDA: www.nfda.org ● International Cemetery and Funeral Association ICFA: www.icfa.org The Funeral Ethics Association, for example, was established to “provide the public and the profession with a balanced forum for resolving misunderstandings and to elevate the importance of ethical practices in all matters related to funeral service.” 1
PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Every decision you make that affects another individual has an ethical or moral dimension to it. Ethical standards are written into our laws, but ethics goes beyond what is strictly legal. Laws are associated with minimum requirements, while ethical standards appeal to an even higher level of responsibility, regarding the right thing The family Your first responsibility is to the wishes of the bereaved’s family. Family members should be provided counsel and treated in a caring and ethical manner. The family should be provided a copy of the funeral home’s general price list (GPL), and many find a copy of the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer guide to services and products useful (http://www.ftc.gov/). The FTC guide includes a
to do. Although funeral practitioners, colleagues, and family members are equally capable of showing poor judgment or acting irrationally, licensed practitioners are bound by their professional affiliation to act responsibly, even when others do not.
contact number for consumer grievances [the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) at: http://www.pueblo. gsa.gov/]. For the complete text, please refer to: http://www.pueblo. gsa.gov/cic_text/misc/funeral/funeral.htm, or http://www.ftc. gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.htm
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It is generally a good idea to assume that family members know little about your business. Providing basic instructions and answers to common questions in a brief information sheet can be very effective in putting a family at ease, especially those who are new to the experience and unfamiliar with your organization, personnel, and way of conducting business. Family members should be given some time to review this information before any discussion regarding services, products, or prices takes place. The funeral director should encourage appropriate spending, meaning the family should not be persuaded to purchase services or products beyond their financial means. It is often useful to designate a budget, then guide the family to purchase within that budget. Never sell beyond what a family needs. The funeral director should take the time to explain costs and products associated with the funeral service, including any “hidden” or additional costs, including cemetery charges, floral arrangements, the obituary listing or announcements or costs that will be incurred, even if they are not directly associated with the funeral home or funeral home’s services. If these associated costs are discounted or charged by arrangement with the funeral home, the director is legally and ethically responsible to inform the family regarding these details. Once the family selects the necessary products and services, the family should receive, review, and sign a Statement of Goods and Services, which shows that total cost of all items and services purchased, including the amounts the funeral home has paid on behalf of the family. The family should sign to confirm the price of services and merchandise selected, and associated fee, the price of The deceased It is unethical and, in some cases, illegal for the funeral director to permit any unauthorized individuals to witness the process in which the body is embalmed and otherwise prepared. Only the funeral director and staff members should be in attendance during preparation of the body. The body of the deceased should remain covered at all times, and care should be taken to cover the deceased’s genitals during the embalming. The clergy Funeral services located in a church or other religious institution should abide by the rules and regulations of the institution. The funeral director is usually responsible for communicating any special requests that the deceased or family members expect to be accommodated on the day of the funeral service. The funeral director should also schedule a meeting between the family and the clergy member prior to the date the service is performed. Professional colleagues High ethical standards means that the funeral director is not only responsible for his/her own actions, but also those of the immediate and extended staff. This means that you should only put your trust in people who are also beyond reproach, ensuring that they will feel the same responsibility to family members, clergy, and business concerns that you do. Do not assume business is being handled appropriately; investigate, and ensure, that adequate policies and procedures are in place to uphold your ethical standards. You have a role in protecting the public from fraud, misuse of funds, or misconduct.
desired supplemental items of service and products, and the amount advanced by the funeral director/home on behalf of the family. The funeral director should also inform family members at this time that they may be entitled to benefits from one or more of the following institutions: the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (if the deceased was a veteran, he or she may be entitled to a headstone or monetary reimbursement), armed forces, labor unions, and fraternal organizations, among others. Because these benefits may or may not apply, the funeral director and staff should not imply that these benefits are guaranteed, simply that they may be available. The funeral director should facilitate the filing process by helping the family members fill out and deliver these forms to the appropriate authorities. If further assistance is required, the funeral director should be able to refer the family to professional assistance. Families choosing cremation should be treated with the same dignity and respect as those who choose burial. The funeral director should be sure to review the details and options available to the family, as few family members are typically aware of their choices related to cremation. Beyond the responsibility for ensuring that the cremation takes place in the proper time frame, the funeral director and staff should always provide the family appropriate time and privacy to say goodbye to the deceased, as well as view the body to confirm its identity. It is customary that a funeral home charge for this service. If family members wish to observe the cremation, the funeral director should make arrangements for them to do so.
Everyone who has contact with the deceased should treat the body with great respect, using the same care and compassion that you would toward a member of your own family, with the same dignity as a cherished relative or friend. Authorized family members or close friends may be permitted to view the body, at the discretion of the family.
In cases where a stipend or honorarium is paid to the clergyman or the religious institution, it is commonly paid by check (for record-keeping purposes) through the funeral director. In cases where the family chooses not to or cannot afford to pay this stipend, this information should also be communicated to the clergy member before the service. It is a good idea to always confirm that the clergy accepts such payment, as some members of the clergy do not accept honoraria or accept it in some other form, such as payment to a building fund, for example. Funeral directors, embalmers, and direct disposition professionals should be properly trained in their responsibilities and appropriately compensated for the work they do. Employees and employers should enjoy a relationship of mutual respect and consideration, with employees provided positions with room for advancement and increasing income with ever greater responsibilities. In the case of apprenticeship and training for positions in the funeral services, including professional embalmers and funeral directors, the trainee should be under appropriate supervision at all times, and uphold the ideals of ethical and
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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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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. Business management and promotion Conducting your business in an ethical manner is largely a matter of treating people fairly and decently, using your skills and time effectively, and adhering to high standards in your work. Your promotional materials, record-keeping, financial dealings, and conduct in day-to-day business matters should also be able to pass ethical scrutiny. Funeral directors should not engage personnel to solicit funerals at or near the time of death. It is unethical and illegal for a funeral director to pay commission or related payments for this kind of solicitation. This is neither meant to discourage advertising, nor pre-arranged or pre-financed funeral agreements. Preneed sales Preneed sales should be handled in an ethical manner. Bonnie L. Tippy, executive director of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, suggests other states use the same guidelines for preneed trusting decisions that are used in New York, which is one of very few states that do not allow funeral directors to accept commissions from any third party in regard to preneed funds, whether that entity is a third-party trust or insurance. Here are a few provisions of the laws 2 : 1. 100 percent of all monies must be trusted in government backed securities. 2. There can be no cancellation, nor administrative fees charged. 3. Consumers get all their money back, plus interest upon demand. (Except in the case of irrevocable Medicaid trusts, which are 100 percent portable to any funeral firm anywhere in the country.) 4. It is required that all principal plus interest accrue to the benefit of the consumer. 5. If the price of the funeral is not guaranteed, it must state so plainly in the contract. 6. There must be a contract and an itemization (the same as the Statement of Goods and Services) for each preneed account. 7. Any overage in the account after services have been rendered belongs completely to the estate or next-of- kin of the deceased (except in the case of irrevocable Medicaid accounts, in which overages are paid directly to the local county indigent burial fund). 8. Once an account is set up, the consumer must receive an accounting of where the money has been placed within 30 days. 9. The consumer must receive an annual statement with all pertinent account information. 10. No bonding is allowed. Only cash will suffice. 11. Money must be trusted, even if businesses claim that merchandise is being “warehoused” somewhere for the consumer.
Keeping up with continuing education requirements will acquaint you, if necessary, with any new information about communicable disease prevention or potential health hazards. During the 20th century, a host of conditions proved potentially hazardous to embalmer health, including polio, TB, Legionnaires Disease, AIDS, and, more recently, even anthrax and new diseases, like the West Nile virus and SARS. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), very recently, has presented itself as a possible risk. Staying aware of recent safety precautions and health concerns is important from an aspect of personal safety, but also to shield oneself from potential litigation. Maintaining your business in good professional standing means: ● Filing local, state, and federal taxes. ● Discussing and/or displaying fee schedules and billing practices prior to a first meeting. ● Making the family’s welfare your paramount concern. ● Following generally accepted accounting practices. ● Keeping accurate financial records. ● Maintaining confidentiality. ● Respectful and cooperative collaboration with other professionals. ● Appropriate referrals, if necessary. Bonnie Tippy recommends that professionals review and answer the following questions regarding pre-funded funerals to confirm their ethical standards are above and beyond “business as usual”: 1. If your state does not have a 100 percent trusting law, do you happily provide your consumer with information regarding just how much of their money will be put into trust and how much money you will retain? If you feel uncomfortable revealing this information, why is that? 2. If you charge an administrative fee which is taken from the principal paid to you, do you clearly inform the consumer of this fee and its purpose? If not, why? 3. Does your state require that the consumer receive a yearly accounting of their money? Do you believe that consumers shouldn’t have this information? If so, why not? Have you chosen for the trust to pay the tax so that the consumer will not get a yearly statement? Why? 4. If you receive a commission or other financial consideration for the placement of consumer dollars into a preneed insurance policy or a trust program, do you reveal that commission to the consumer? If not, why? 5. If you receive a special price on caskets when placing consumer’s monies into a preneed insurance policy or trust, do you reveal this information to the consumer? If not, why? 6. Ask yourself, “If I don’t feel comfortable telling consumers everything about their preneed account, could there be something wrong with what I’m doing?”
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Advertising/marketing As a representative of your profession, any negative perceptions of your marketing materials or advertisements tend to reflect poorly on your colleagues and the profession as a whole. All advertising should be factual and treat the subject of funerals with dignity. All advertisements should be truthful and professional. Documentation and record keeping All records should give factual and complete account of relevant transactions. It is unethical to withhold or insert any invoice or statement of false record, or representation of any transaction, invoice, record, or documentation for the purpose of misleading or deceiving a colleague, family member, organization, or government agency. It is unethical and unprofessional to misrepresent any aspect of the funeral service. Proper documentation and record keeping is a critical, if mundane, dimension of a successful business. Keep notes legible and accurate. If it is ever necessary to refer to files some time in the future (in legal proceedings, for Contractual obligations The funeral director is required to fulfill all agreements and contracts, both verbal and written, in which he/she has contracted. There is no substitute for honesty and integrity in business matters. Be able to admit mistakes should they Property custody The funeral director is responsible for safe possession of valuables, including those on the person of the deceased at the time of death and those provided to the funeral home to be buried with the individual, if desired. The funeral director typically becomes custodian of all personal effects belonging to the deceased that were in his/her possession. Items with monetary value or of sentimental concern to the family are placed in a temporary trusteeship with the funeral director, who should transfer these items at the earliest point possible, according to the family’s wishes. Confidentiality In serving the family, the funeral director is typically privy to information of a confidential nature. Under no circumstances should the funeral director discuss the cause or nature of the death with anyone outside the funeral home. All information and matters relating to the deceased are strictly confidential and should not be communicated to a third party unless he/ she is authorized to do so by the family. Private details discussed during the arrangement conference are also sensitive and confidential in nature. Never repeat any details about the deceased or deceased’s family with staff members or family members unless it is directly pertinent to the funeral service or preparations. Details Accountability Professional organizations protect public safety by certifying the competence of their members through licensing and continuing education requirements. Accreditation and professional affiliations maintain quality control and show your accountability to families, colleagues, and the profession, as a whole. They confirm that you abide by prevailing health and safety standards, conduct yourself in accordance with relevant legislation and/or professional regulations, and possess the specialized knowledge and skills of your field.
Promotional materials should: ● Include your license number, place of business, and phone number. ● Refrain from using fear or guilt as motivational tactics. ● Avoid unrealistic, misleading, or sensational claims. ● Do not use any wording or image that might be construed as offensive in nature. ● Adhere to truth-in-advertising standards. example), the context and details of your notes should be clear. Adhere to the following guidelines for preparing and maintaining records: ● Notes should be legible, as well as accurate. Pay attention to your handwriting and use clearly written and recognized abbreviations. Remember that you and other people may need to refer to these notes years in the future. Make sure they are easy to read and understand. ● File records promptly and accurately. Establish a strict filing system and adhere to it, and be sure other staff members know the system and importance of using it.
occur, as “covering up” means adding dishonesty on top of dishonesty. Instead, be honest and do what you can to make amends. Trust is crucial to a harmonious relationship between the family and the funeral director.
It is useful for the funeral director to review with the family that he /she is in possession of these items, confirm what should happen to the items after the funeral service, and to whom, if at all, they should be returned. The funeral director is ethically obligated to ensure that any valuables that remain with the deceased at the time of burial or cremation are indeed with the body at burial or cremation.
regarding the cause of death, funeral arrangements and prices for services and products, who is paying and how much, are all sensitive issues that should be treated with discretion. When in doubt, do not disclose information. Keep all original records in your possession. Share information only in cases where disclosure is required and appropriate. Impress the importance of confidentiality and retaining original file copies upon all staff members. Treat family members with respect and dignity. Handle personal information with sensitivity, and keep the content of records a private matter. Once you’re successfully licensed, you are deemed “competent” in your business area despite the fact that your specific skills, training, and knowledge base may be somewhat different than that of other funeral directors or embalmers in the country. Licensing agencies and professional societies are able to maintain basic standards of quality and professional expertise in the field, and ensure that licensed individuals are keeping pace with recent developments through continuing education requirements.
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are also abundant, offering the practitioner a diverse range of possibilities in certification, titles, and credentials, all associated with varying degrees of validity. Checks and balances on this system are minimal; those that exist are fueled in great measure by the personal accountability, honesty, and integrity of individual practitioners. You have an additional obligation to your clients and the profession to keep pace with new developments in the field and maintain skills at a professional level. This obligation is partly fulfilled through formal continuing education requirements, but can be supplemented by attention to industry journals, and seminar, workshop, and conference attendance.
Crediting coursework is offered in a diverse range of formats (traditional classroom attendance, correspondence courses or distance education, weekend workshops, professional seminars and conferences) that vary widely in scope, practical value, length of study, and fee. Opportunities for advanced study in the field outside of continuing education Scope of practice Scope of practice refers to your area of competence, usually obtained through formal study, training, and/or professional experience, and one for which you’ve received certification or other proof of qualification. Your scope of practice is circumscribed, in part, by local licensing restrictions, which are sometimes very general. Misrepresenting your educational achievements, credentials, or abilities is a serious breach of responsibility that endangers the public and reflects poorly on the profession as a whole. If a subject is outside your area of expertise, don’t hesitate to say so, and direct the individual to appropriate informational resources or professional services. Choosing to provide services for which you are not appropriately trained or competent is a dangerous personal decision that undermines the profession and may carry weighty legal implications. Your personal level of discretion and ethical standards will largely determine the manner in which you advertise your services, describe your education and professional experience, and list credentials.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/Pro-Ethics
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Final Examination Questions
Select the best answer for each question and mark your answers on page 28. For faster service, complete your test online at EliteLearning.com/Book
1. Virtually all state licensing authorities, certifying/ accrediting agencies, and professional associations establish their own standards of conduct and ethical guidelines for their members. a. True b. False 2. It is generally a good idea to assume that family members know little about your business. a. True b. False 3. 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 other misleading remarks. a. True b. False
4. The family of the deceased is responsible for ensuring that accurate information appears on the death certificate. a. True b. False 5. All information and matters relating to the deceased are strictly confidential and should not be communicated to a third party unless he/she is authorized to do so by the family. a. True b. False
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Chapter 2: Advanced Embalming 2 CE Hours
Course overview The student will gain a deeper understanding of this time- honored practice of embalming and human preservation that has never been more critical in the funeral industry. Learning objectives After completing this course, the learner will be able to: Define advanced embalming. Discuss natural vs. artificial means of preservation. Understand chemical components necessary for the purpose of proper preservation. Identifying and treating special body conditions.
Prepare for and perform treatment for various difficult and trauma cases: Edema, decomposition, tissue recovery, long bone preservation, bleaching bruised areas, etc. Understand and practice embalming techniques focused around less common cases.
CHAPTER 1: ADVANCED EMBALMING
As one of the world’s oldest professions, the Deathcare Industry is continually met with the task of finding a comfortable and acceptable balance of old methods in a new age. While other industries have kept pace with modern day methods and procedures moving forward as consumer demands dictate, it seems to some that the funeral industry is among the last to emerge into the 21st century because so much of what the funeral professionals do is steeped in time-honored practices and tradition. In years past, the business of death was simple, and the funeral industry was represented as a sensitive, hands- on business with high emotions. Moreover, the funeral professionals whose traditions and techniques have been handed down from generation to generation have done an exceptional job honoring tradition and the idolization of the deceased and their religious practices. It is these same professionals that are now at the turning point of joining the old with the new. It is not correct to state that the embracing of new techniques will not be met without challenge, however in today’s age funeral entrepreneurs are forward- What is advanced embalming? Special treatment rendered beyond that of a standard embalming case is defined as advanced embalming. When a traumatic or unforeseen circumstance resulting in death occurs; which may include accidental, sudden, homicide or even upon suffering of a brief illnesses; advanced embalming techniques or techniques used beyond that of a “normal” case may be required in effort to restore the individual to an identifiable and viewable state. Advanced embalming preservation requires the use of stronger preservative chemicals for localized, topical and cavity treatments as well as a myriad of modifying agents. In addition, it requires mastery of restoration and a vast anatomical knowledge. Careful evaluation of each case presented to the embalming practitioner must be met with the highest level of standards and attention. The most common oversights that result in preservation failure in such delicate cases are often preventable and are in general, the result of improper procedures performed by the embalmer. Some of the most common errors in procedures include, but are not limited to:
thinking professionals who have the skill and knowledge to reshape the death care industry and its appearance to the public eye. The rise of cremation has had a major impact on the honored tradition of preparation for public viewing and has become America’s preferred method of disposition. Yet, the focus of funeral professionals shouldn’t be to combat cremation- instead, to focus on educating families on services that can honor both tradition and modern-day practices. The time-honored practice of embalming and human preservation has never been so critical in the funeral industry. In Chapter 1 of this course we will: ● Define Advanced Embalming. ● Understand the importance of Advanced Embalming skills and techniques. ● Discuss natural vs. artificial means of preservation. ● Understand chemical components necessary for the purpose of proper preservation. ● Non preparation of the vascular system prior to preservation treatment. ● Too strong of a formulated embalming solution. ● Too weak of a formulated embalming solution. ● Basing preservation formulation on tissue rigidity or firmness. ● Excessive injection speed (rate of flow). ● Excessive pressure injection. ● Excessive drainage. ● Lack of drainage. ● Inadequate or lack of treatment of viscera and cavity. ● Lack of topical preservation treatment. ● Lack of internal packs or hypodermic treatment. ● Re-aspiration and reinjection prior to viewing or shipping. A high level of care, technical and surgical skills and the need for a high anatomical knowledge are the basis of which an advanced embalmer needs to perform these invasive and delicate procedures. As professionals, we must understand that the use of quality and properly formulated chemistry is our best insurance against embalming failure.
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Book Code: FOK0425
EliteLearning.com/Funeral
Why is advanced embalming so important? No two people are the same and thus, no two cases are the same. Though, many embalming practitioners tend to treat most cases with the same chemical formulations and surface treatments, there are times that people suffer from diseases or traumatic events that have devastating effect on the embalming treatment and the physical appearance of the deceased. Therefore, critical measures must be taken to prepare the body. Car accidents, drowning, dehydration, malnutrition, decomposition, drug overdoses, discoloration and edema are just some examples of the cases you as a professional will experience over the course of your career. It is through your eyes and hands that this person must resemble a natural like state. The skillset and eye for detail leave lasting effects not only on the appearance of the deceased individual, but will have a tremendous life-long impact on how their loved ones will remember them. More so and beyond restoring the physical appearance of the deceased, advanced embalming can do so much more to facilitate comfort for family members as they move through the grieving process and into the healing process. Sudden deaths, especially those involving traumatic circumstances send loved ones into various states of shock and disbelief. It is at this moment that the initial denial stage Natural vs. artificial preservation Historically, human remains have been preserved naturally through freezing, cold or dry heat or, in the right climate, through burial in a particular type of dirt or soil. Though, mostly reserved for modern day preparation, artificial means of preservation through methods of embalming or evisceration - removing the organs - have also been used throughout early history. Natural means of preservation include freezing, desiccation/ exsiccation either by dry cold or by dry heat, and the nature of the soil. These approaches are/were most often used by individuals practicing religious customs that do not sanction the use of chemical based preservation or mutilation of the human body through the method of embalming or artificial means of preservation. The natural means of preservation can be categorized as natural mummification - caused by Mother Nature which occurs when remains are buried or treated in climate conditions. Freezing or use of ice was implemented as an embalming method at the start of the American civil war and in fact this practice is still in existence in developing countries. Artificial means of preservation in both historical and modern-day embalming techniques comprise of applications used with simple heat or cold, powders, such as a sawdust bed mixed with zinc sulphate, evisceration combined with immersion, drying, local incision and immersion, arterial injections, cavity injections. Furthermore, simple immersion in alcohol, brine, etc., and sole arterial injection, which can be combined with cavity treatment and/ or immersion, have all been used.
of grieve begins to have impact and reality ceases to exist in the minds of those left behind. When family members and loved ones begin to let the shock of loss settle in they start to realize that they will never see their dearly departed again- devastation, anger and sadness begin to take over sending them into a spiral of uncontrolled thoughts and often into dark places. Not knowing all of the facts or the truth surrounding the death can be mentally and emotionally destructive. There are numerous scenarios that can play out and the only reality will be the identification and viewing of their departed kin. Having the ability to see their loved one looking in a peaceful and natural state may help to create a positive viewing experience and allow friends and family to begin to accept and grieve the death in a healthier way. Such, cases generally take a longer period of time to prepare and the embalmer should be consulted before deciding viewing times with relatives. These operations require extensive time, patience, and skill to complete. Moreover, as traditional funerals begin to decline, today’s funeral professionals realize that their firms’ long-term survival and consumer satisfaction is based on appearance and customer service. Thus, the preparation and display of a families’ loved ones has major effect on the development and future growth of the business. Towards the end of the 1600s, European embalming that had been reserved for the purposes of preservation of the dead for anatomical dissection and study were developed. Through this process, the use of colored waxes injected into organs and tissues kept said organs preserved for longer periods of time. This procedure was widely used by medical and anatomical schools to aid in the discovery of disease that plagued the deceased patient. This of course gave insight to modern medicine and diagnosis and the procedure is still practiced today. One of the most distinct eras in embalming history began around 1861, during the American Civil War. During this time, what would become an advanced method of embalming for this period of history became essential for the transport of human remains, namely officers, before being removed from the battlefield or out of staged hospital areas and taken to their final places of rest. It was during this period, when embalmers began to experiment with combinations of compounds such as arsenic, creosote, mercury, turpentine and various forms of alcohol. Thomas Holmes, the father of modern embalming, who is said to have performed about 4000 embalming procedures, had developed arsenic based solutions which became one of the first accepted embalming fluids. The methods developed and used during this war era was the beginning of what we now know of as modern-day embalming. What is recognized today as the conventional method of embalming is not the result of a single practitioner discovery, but rather the accumulation of many decades’ even centuries of researches, trials and errors and inventions.
AN OVERVIEW OF CHEMICAL COMPONENTS
Since ancient times the preservation of human remains has remained at the forefront of response to religion and the passage into eternal life. The use of chemicals for the purpose of preservation must defray from risk of infections or disease contracted from the deceased human body. In addition, it is intended for the prevention or slowing of
putrefaction, contamination and disturbances of the body caused by a cellular and molecular breakdown. Despite their chemical properties, fluids used in embalming preservation should provide a long-term structural preservation of organs and tissues together
EliteLearning.com/Funeral
Book Code: FOK0425
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