CHAPTER 1

Embalming: Social, Psychological, and Ethical Considerations

REGULATIONS

Some 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.

The 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.

The 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

It 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

Four divisions of OSHA that affect the funeral home:

• the General Rule• the Hazard Communications Standard• the Formaldehyde Rule• the Bloodborne Pathogens Rule

The 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.

The 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.

The 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

Air Tray- used for casketed remains, only the bottom is made of wood, top sides and ends are made of heavy grade cardboard.

Burial-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.

Common 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)

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

TERMINOLOGY CONT.

Death Certificate- a legal document containing vital statistics, deposition and final medical cause of death pertaining to a deceased human body.

Hermetically sealed- airtight, impervious to external influence; completely sealed by fusion or soldering.

TERMINOLOGY CONT.I

nternational- between countries

Interstate- between states

Intrastate- within one state

Private Carrier- an individual or company who transports only in particular instances and only for those they choose to contract with. (Livery, Private Aircraft)

TERMINOLOGY

Removal- also called a first call or transfer of remains. Transfer of remains from the place of death to a funeral establishment.

Ziegler case- (liner) a gasket-sealed container which can be used as an insert into a casket or a separate shipping container.