Inter Professional Relationships

Question 1

Common interest areas between funeral directors and others indirectly involved with the funeral service professional.

• Florists
• Cemeterians
• Monument dealers
• News media
• Legal profession
• Hospital administrators
• Government agencies
• Physician
• Pathologist
• Clergy

Answer 1

Inter Professional Relationships

Question 2

• Arrival time prior to the funeral
• Proper place where funeral is to be held and where flowers are to be delivered
• Appropriate name on floral pieces left at correct destination
• Funeral home staff will transport flowers to place of service or interment
• Use of fresh flowers in proper containers and stands by florists
• If cash advanced, method of reimbursement to funeral director by family.

Answer 2

Florists

Question 3

Keep files current.

• Requirements for interment
• Hours for normal charge
• Hours for overtime charge
• Days interment may or may not be made
• Method of payment and rates
• Restriction code on cemetery deed

Answer 3

Cemeterians

Question 4

• Authority to order- deed owner
• Method of payment and reimbursement to funeral director if cash advanced.
• Notification to family upon completion

Answer 4

Monument Dealers

Question 5

• Obituary and death notice deadlines
• Procedure and structure for obituary/deat notice
• Procedure for use of pictures
• Costs

Answer 5

News Media

Question 6

• Primary right of disposition
• Liability of payment of funeral expenses- filing claims against estate
• Right of disinterment- lot owner- not PRD
• Reference of families if legal problems exist.

Answer 6

Legal Profession

Question 7

• Release of remains
• Authorization for autopsy, and harvseting eyes, tissue, bone etc.
• Proper autopsy procedure without careless mutilation
• Check toe tag
  
  • Proper ID
  • Communicable disease
  • Radiation

Answer 7

Hospital Administrators

Question 8

• Social security
• Veterans administration
• Military personnel on active duty
• Burial allowances for civilian employees of armed forces
• Dead of military in the United States
• Local authorities- medical examiner

Answer 8

Government Agencies

Question 9

Lump sum death benefit of $255

• Surviving spouse
• Dependent children (SSA 2872 and SSA 8)

Answer 9

Social Security

Question 10

Death benefit of $300 toward funeral expenses will be paid only to those having a claim number or to veterans who may have been entitled to a claim number.

• Application for burial flag
• Application for grave marker
• Information on veteran
• Guidlines for burial in National Cemetery
• Transportation allowance
• Plot or interment allowance

Answer 10

Veterans Administration

Question 11

Contract funeral directors will handle all initial preparation and casketing of remains, also shipping to receiving funeral home.

• Preparation and casketing
• Clothing
• Escort
• Flag
• Transportation
• Interment expenses and allowances
• Military marker

Answer 11

Military Personnel on Active Duty

Question 12

Expenses for preparation and casketing are limited to $250. In addition, the following expenses are authorized:

• Removal from place of death to funeral home
• Procurement of burial and shipping permits
• Outside case for shipment
• Removal from funeral home to common carrier
• Cost of transportation to place of disposition

Answer 12

Burial Allowances for Civilian Employees of Armed Forces

Question 13

Allowance expenses and procurement or burial transit permits plus the following:

• Removed from place of death to funeral home
• Preparation and casketing of remains
• Removal from funeral home to common carrier
• Outside shipping case
• Transportation of remains to home of official station of deceased
• One removal from common carrier at destination.

Answer 13

Death of Military in the United States

Question 14

• Authority to remove from place of death to OCME
• Forensic investigators contract with funeral homes to transport remains to OCME (Maryland)
• Death certificate issue

Answer 14

Local Authorities- Medical Examiner

Question 15

• Welfare of immediate family is of primary importance
• Proper and prompt autopsy policy
• Prompt and proper execution of death certificates
• Prompt and proper harvesting of tissue etc.
• Both physician and funeral director should never cause each other public embarrassment in executing their responsibilities to the public.

Answer 15

Funeral Director- Physician Relationship- Some Common Concerns

Question 16

• Assist funeral director to receive remains promptly
• inform pathologists of embalming complications involving autopsy
• Assist pathologist in obtaining permission from family for autopsy
• Inform the public of the value of autopsy.

Answer 16

Aims and Purposes of a Funeral Director- Pathologist Committee

Question 17

• Vast majority of funeral/memorial services are religious in nature
• Funeral director must cultivate a good working relationship with clergy, willing to make necessary accommodations
• Clergy- little theological training with funerals
• Most unaware of what funeral home staff must do for a service
• Potential hot button issues

Answer 17

Clergy- Funeral Director Relations

Question 18

• Notification of clergy- ASAP
• Place of the service
• Viewing of the body (open or closed casket)
• Honoraria- discreet
• Funeral Costs

Answer 18

Potential Hot Button Issues With Clergy

Question 19

• Inform the clergy of the importance of a funeral
• Coordinate the clergy and funeral director roles as they deal with the bereaved.
• Foster better relationship through meetings and seminars
• Acquaint funeral director with various religious requirements and philosophies
• Acquaint one another with the problems they face.

Answer 19

Aims and Purposes of Funeral Director Clergy Committee

Question 20

1. Effective communication is essential
2. The relationship should facilitate an understanding of funeral service and promote its growth as a profession, serving the consumer.
3. Interaction should reflect social responsibility and improvement of service to clents and the community public.

Answer 20

The Three Rules of Cooperation that Should be Followed Among Allied Professions