Cremation-NFDA 1 Flashcards
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Pennslyvania
- District of Columbia
At this time, crematory practices are regulated everywhere in the US Except:
- Written authorization form (45 states)
- Identification prior to cremation (37 states)
- Crematory inspection (39 states)
- Crematory operator training (23 states)
- Written receipts required (29 states)
- Authorized disposition of unclaimed remains (42 states)
Key Provisions Selected as Basic Components that should be the Foundation of any Effective Government Oversight of Cremation (Gilligan, 2013)
Principals of conduct based on values related to good and right behavior that guide personal as well as business decisions and actions.
Ethics
Also addresses the manner in which human remains and cremated human remains are treated by the network of individuals responsible for an array of caring, compassionate, and proper cremation services to families.
Cremation Ethics
- Environmental protection practices to avoid emission of pollutants to the atmosphere
- use equipment and cremation container materials that minimize pollution, refrain from using certain polluting materials, energy conservation.
- Religious and cultural practices regarding the proper treatment of the dead and cremated remains.
- Do everything possible to assist families in making arrangements that are compatible with a cremation family’s culture and religious traditions- profession based on sacred trust.
Ethical Issues Related to Cremation
- Service to families
- Obligations to the public
- Obligations to the government
Key Principals of the NFDA Code of Professional Conduct
Ethical obligaton to serve each family in a professional and caring manner, being respectful of their wishes and confidences. being honest and fair in all dealings with them, and being considerate of those of lesser means.
Service to Families
- Treat the deceased with dignity and respect at all times
- Treat information regarding the deceased with confidentiality and integrity.
- Offer services to all without regard to religion, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
- Verify that all necessary paperwork is in order and will not perform cremation unless proper authorization is granted by the Authorizing Agent(s) and proper medical authorities
- All all times maintain the standards and obligations of the crematory that I represent
- Properly account for and remit any monies, documents or personal property belonging to others that come into my possession.
Service to Families (CCO Code of Ethics)
Funeral service professionals have an ethical obligation to the public to offer their services and to operate their business in accordancewith the highest prinicpals of honesty, fair dealing, and professionalism.
Obligations to the Public
- No representation, written or oral, that may be false or misleading or that is likely to defraud or deceive the public.
- Maintain the crematory facility in a clean, orderly, safe fashion at all times.
- Accomodate public requests for crematory tours and educational opportunities.
- Follow safety and environmental standards when using crematory equipment and use PPE
- Not cremate more than one deceased person in the same cremation unit nor intentionally commingle CR, unless written authorization is granted by the Authorizing Agent(s).
- Only cremate human remains in a crematory intended for human remains and cremate animal remains only in a crematory intended for animal remains.
- Be a good steward, always conscious of maintaining a positive public image and reputation in the community.
- Abide by provisions of the NFDA CCO Statement of Use regarding the appropriate and responsible use of the COO designation.
- Continue professional education
- Conduct yourself at all times in a manner that deserves public trust.
Obligations to the Public (CCO Code of Ethics)
Maintain strict compliance with the letter and spirit of all governmental laws and regulations that impact the funeral consumer, the funeral profession, and the public health.
- NFDA CCO program objective is to promote and enhance strict ethical obligations and compliance with laws and regulations affecting the funeral consumer, and encourage the highest standards of funeral professional excellence through voluntary certification.
Obligations to the Government
- Continue to hold necessary licenses
- Operate the crematory in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Obligations to the Government (CCO Code of Ethics)
- Return cremated remains with upmost dignity and respect
- Explain identification system (important way to build client confidence).
- Take time to address each client’s questions or fears (best kind of customer service)- will likely share positive experience with others.
- 1/4 of adults rely on other people for news and information about local businesses.
- Have an open door policy- accomodate requests from potential clients (professional and consumer)
- keep up with housekeeping
- do not permit unauthorized people in crematory
- Choosing cremation does not limit service and merchandise options, but the family may not know this. Explain range of alternatives available.
- Families need to understand that cremation is a process that prepares the loved one’s remains for permanent memoralization.
- Cremation families must make a decision regarding the place of final rest for cremated remains of the deceased.
- Same standards of care, compassion, and attention to personal preferences and needs as when dealing with burial families.
- Actively listen to the family to learn about the unique line of the loved one in order to help the family plan an arrangement that is meaningful. fitting, and appropriate.
Service to Families
- Earth burial
- Placement in an indoor or outdoor columbarium
- Scattering (irreversible act)
- Inurnment and kept at home
Disposition Options for Cremation Families
- Oldest is in Australia (25,000 BP)
- Neolithic sites in the Americas (11,500 BP)
- Europe (9,700 BP in Switzerland)
- Middle East
- China
Oldest Evidence of Cremation
Cremation appears to have been a popular practice.
Early Bronze Age in Europe (5,000-3,000 BP)
Urnfield culture practices cremation in East Central Europe and northern Italy from 2,700 BP.
- Spread to Ukraine, Sicily, Scandinavia, and France to Iberia
Late Bronze Age
Cremation became the predominant disposition over approximately this time.
1,500 year span in Europe