CHAPTER 1

Embalming: Social, Psychological, and Ethical

Considerations

REGULATIONS

S

ome funeral homes are regulated by their state

agencies and all funeral homes are regulated by

several government agencies.

DEATH DENYING SOCIETY

I

personally strongly disagree with the author’s

attempt to make people that don’t wish to view the

dead seem like some type of mentally ill person that is

in denial.• Viewing is a CHOICE, not a requirement.• People should not be made to feel like their CHOICE

to not view is a reflection of how much they loved their family member here on earth.

• Viewing is not always appropriate.• I served a family once that the

husband/father had died. He beat his wife and molested his daughter. Did they need to see him? In this case no, they were glad he was dead.

• What about a family that was with the person when the death occurred? Everyone had a chance to say goodbye at the nursing home or house. Did they need to view? Maybe yes, maybe no, but it’s their decision.

T

he chapter refers to protective wrappings used

during a transfer from a place of death. More often

than not the protective wrapping would be a bed

sheet.

T

he chapter also refers to a practitioners role in organ

donation. It is not the practitioners responsibility or

place to ask the family if they want to consider organ

donation. This discussion will have already taken

place with the family through a medical worker

before the funeral home is called.

CORONER OR MEDICAL EXAMINER

I

t is the practitioner’s responsibility to know the laws

in their state regarding when a coroner is involved.

They usually include:• Accidental deaths• Homicidal deaths• Suicidal deaths• Sudden Deaths

FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES

F

our divisions of OSHA that affect the funeral home:• the General Rule• the Hazard Communications Standard• the Formaldehyde Rule• the Bloodborne Pathogens Rule

T

he Federal Trade Commission• The Funeral Rule applies to all funeral homes in the

United States. It says in part:• You may not tell a family that their loved one must

embalmed by state or local law when that is not the case.

• You may not tell a family that embalming is required when direct cremation or immediate burial is selected as the final disposition.

T

he Federal Trade Commission• Continued:

• You may not tell the family embalming is required when a casket is to be closed when refrigeration is available and when the law does not require it.

• You must disclose the above in writing to a family on a general price list.

• You may not charge a fee for embalming unless the law requires it, or prior approval has been given by the authorized person.

T

he Federal Trade Commission• Continued:

• If you cannot reach a family and go ahead an embalm the body you can only charge the family if the they choose a service that requires embalming. For example, if they choose cremation and didn’t want the body embalmed then you can’t charge them for it.

• If you charge for embalming then you must write on the contract the reason that the charge applies.

TERMINOLOGY

A

ir Tray- used for casketed remains, only the bottom is made

of wood, top sides and ends are made of heavy grade

cardboard.

B

urial-transit permit- a disposition permit which is a legal

document issued by a governmental agency, authorizing

transportation and/or disposition of a dead human body.

TERMINOLOGY CONT.

C

ombination case(unit)- a transfer container consisting of a

particle board box with a cardboard cover used to ship a

remains in place of a casket or airtray.

C

ommon Carrier- any carrier required by law to convey

passengers or freight without refusal if the approved fare of

charge is paid; travels according to a schedule. (Airlines,

Trains)

T

HIS WILL BE ON YOUR NBE I GUARANTEE IT!!!!

TERMINOLOGY CONT.

D

eath Certificate- a legal document containing vital

statistics, deposition and final medical cause of death

pertaining to a deceased human body.

H

ermetically sealed- airtight, impervious to external

influence; completely sealed by fusion or soldering.

TERMINOLOGY CONT.

I

nternational- between countries

I

nterstate- between states

I

ntrastate- within one state

P

rivate Carrier- an individual or company who transports only in

particular instances and only for those they choose to contract

with. (Livery, Private Aircraft)

TERMINOLOGY

R

emoval- also called a first call or transfer of remains.

Transfer of remains from the place of death to a funeral

establishment.

Z

iegler case- (liner) a gasket-sealed container which can be

used as an insert into a casket or a separate shipping

container.