While funeral directors are still able to provide funeral services for now, there have been some important changes.
The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has presented an unprecedented set of challenges for bereaved families who are having to arrange funeral services for loved ones, as well as many mourners who wish to pay their final respects.
While funeral directors are still able to provide services for now, there have been some important changes. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), alongside several other funeral related organizations, and the CDC have coordinated procedures on how to move forward in this environment.
The NFDA has provided a collection of resources on their website. The CDC Coronavirus Guidance for Funeral Directors has been broken out into different sections for easier navigation. Information will be updated on these pages as soon as it is available.
- Communicating with the Public
- Transfers and Arrangements
- Technical Information
- Availability of PPE
- Cremation and Burial
- Visitations and Funerals
- Deaths Overseas and Ship Outs
- Funeral Professionals Who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
- Funeral Home Owners
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Practical Guidance Webinars
The NFDA has also addressed some frequently asked questions for funeral directors on their website.
In addition to funeral directors staying informed and up to date with all CDC and legal compliance requirements, it is imperative that funeral directors do their part to communicate with their local community as well.
Be sure to proactively let your community know that it is safe to have funerals and the steps being taken at your funeral home business to keep families and communities safe. Many different kinds of businesses, including funeral homes, are sharing information with their clients and customers to let them know about the steps they are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you are the owner of a funeral home business, it is your responsibility to protect the health and safety of your staff. We urge you to carefully review funeral home-specific guidance as well as:
- CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- OSHA’s COVID-19 Information
- The Department of Labor’s Information Regarding COVID-19
Prepare a plan of action for your funeral home business and then meet with your entire staff to ensure everyone is aware of the role they can plan in keeping themselves, their co-workers and client families safe. In addition to discussing your plan of action with staff, also be in communication with other third-parties you may work with such as florists, caterers, removal services and others.
We encourage you to frequently check the NFDA website for the latest information and CDC guidance for funeral directors. As new information is released, be sure to update your action plan and disseminate that information out to your team and vendor partners.
Since our inception, Osiris Software has been helping funeral homes, cemetery and crematory businesses prosper through innovative solutions and world class customer service.
