Directing the FuneralDirecting the Funeral

Is This Who We Are????Is This Who We Are????

Pre-Service/VisitationPre-Service/Visitation

Organize FH/Place of ServiceOrganize FH/Place of Service

First/Private ViewingFirst/Private Viewing

PurposePurpose Family’s EntranceFamily’s Entrance Children’s First VisitChildren’s First Visit

Public VisitationPublic Visitation

position of staff membersposition of staff members multiple viewings in one locationmultiple viewings in one location during the visitationduring the visitation end of the visitationend of the visitation

Scheduled ServicesScheduled Services

The FuneralThe Funeral

staffing concernsstaffing concerns preparation prior to family’s arrivalpreparation prior to family’s arrival pallbearers/casketbearerspallbearers/casketbearers car listcar list clergy/officient/celebrantclergy/officient/celebrant

The FuneralThe Funeral

Funeral Director as “Master of Ceremonies”Funeral Director as “Master of Ceremonies”

““Letting Your Light Shine” – Doug ManningLetting Your Light Shine” – Doug Manning

Dodge Magazine – Summer 2009Dodge Magazine – Summer 2009

The FuneralThe Funeral

protocols for beginning and protocols for beginning and concluding the funeralconcluding the funeral

casket closing casket closing funeral procession(red light cameras)funeral procession(red light cameras)

Red Light CamerasRed Light Cameras

N.J.S.A. 39: 4-105 N.J.S.A. 39: 4-105 All traffic must stop at red lights.All traffic must stop at red lights. Funeral processions are NOT Funeral processions are NOT

protected under N.J.S.A. 39: 4-93protected under N.J.S.A. 39: 4-93• (Processions Regulation)(Processions Regulation)

Giantonnio v. Taccard (NJ1996)Giantonnio v. Taccard (NJ1996)

““funeral homes may owe a duty to funeral homes may owe a duty to refrain from creating unreasonably refrain from creating unreasonably dangerous situations for those dangerous situations for those participating in its funeral participating in its funeral procession.”procession.”

““the funeral home may bear some the funeral home may bear some responsibility for participant’s safety”responsibility for participant’s safety”

RecommendationsRecommendations

1) announce to attendees that they must 1) announce to attendees that they must obey all NJ traffic lawsobey all NJ traffic laws

2) remind them that they should not keep 2) remind them that they should not keep up with other vehicles if it causes them to up with other vehicles if it causes them to break traffic lawsbreak traffic laws

3) remind them that if they run a red light 3) remind them that if they run a red light that has a camera, they WILL get a ticketthat has a camera, they WILL get a ticket

4) tell them you will lead the procession at a 4) tell them you will lead the procession at a normal speed and will not pull overnormal speed and will not pull over

5) provide verbal and written directions and 5) provide verbal and written directions and mapsmaps

RecommendationsRecommendations

Do not imply in ANY manner that the Do not imply in ANY manner that the funeral firm, or other staff members are funeral firm, or other staff members are responsible for the funeral procession.responsible for the funeral procession.

Do not mark off front and rear cars with Do not mark off front and rear cars with flags.flags.

NJ prohibits the use of roof top NJ prohibits the use of roof top (N.J.A.C.13:24-2.8) and/or flashing lights (N.J.A.C.13:24-2.8) and/or flashing lights on vehicles. (N.J.A.C. 13:24-2.2)on vehicles. (N.J.A.C. 13:24-2.2)

Committal ServiceCommittal Service