ethics is defined as
branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human contact, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions
what are the foundations of ethics (5)
- philosophy
- ethical theories
- religion
- values
- codes of ethics
what is philosophy
the set of values, influenced modern day ethics
- ex. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
utilitarian theory
ethical concept that moral behaviors produce the greatest good for the greatest number
- ex. fire embalmer, trade embalmer
deontology theory
suggests an individual should act based on what they believe to be morally right, regardless of the consequences
- ex. ten commandments, constitution
virtue ethics
moral philosophy that emphasizes individuals character and personality traits instead of their actions
- concerned with whole of person life rather than specific actions
- ex. mister rogers
religion
- culturally entrenched pattern of behavior made of sacred beliefs, feelings accompanying the belief, overt conduct
- golden rule comes from here
code of ethics
- declaration or public statement of professional standards of right and wrong conduct
- used by corporations, charities, service organizations, business fields (FS)
ethical development (Kohlberg)
- 3 levels
- study done on men
- level 1 = pre conventional, reasoning based on reward vs punishment
- level 2 = conventional, reasoning based on external ethics
- level 3 = post conventional (principled), reasoning based on personal ethics
ethical development (Gilligan)
- added women to the picture
- critiqued Kohlberg
- 3 stages
- stage 1 = self oriented
- stage 2 = other oriented
- stage 3 = universal oriented (balance)
laws
- rules that govern society
- imposed externally
- man made rules/regulations
- concerned with acts and conduct
- concerned with the interest of larger society
- enforced with punishment
sources of ethics
- personal/individual
- situational
- business/professional
4 ways to test for funeral ethics
- what is the norm of society
- are laws being broken
- what does your conscience tell you
- try to understand what a greater power is telling you to do
ethics in funeral directing
- client/family facilitation
- confidential responsibility
- knowledgeable and factual representation
- professional service to everyone
college relationships in regards to ethics
- promote understanding and cooperation
- share personnel, equipment, information, and ideas
- involvement in professional associations
- avoid gossip/negative statements
- responsibility to report unethical behavior
ethics regarding the deceased
- confidential/privacy issues (stuff with informed consent)
- professional procedures (handling the body with dignity)
ethics within a funeral service operation
- employer employee relationship
- accuracy and privacy of records
- stuff related to those unlicensed
- compliance with state laws, rules, and regulations
pre plan funeral ethics
- following written/oral wishes
- records/information kept private
- follow laws/rules
pre funded funeral ethics
- THIS ONE INVOLVES MONEY
- appropriation of funds
- substitution/refunds
- prudent investment
- fiduciary duties (person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with another person/group)
after care ethics
- after care counseling
- knowledge of community resources
- professional referrals
- pre need solicitation
addressing ethical violations
- how to deal with conflicts
- employee handbook
- sort amongst selves
- where/how to report
- OSHA, FTC, local funeral board
