Klicker Chapter 15

Question 1

Americans and Religion Today:

Answer 1

• Most Americans consider themselves to be “spiritual” people
• 50% belong to a house of worship
• 1/3 of people regularly attend worship services

Question 2

The Responsibility of the Funeral Director involving the Clergy:

Answer 2

• Cultivate, develop, and nurture the relationship

- Be willing to make the necessary overtures and accommodations to build the bridges of understanding with the clergy.

Question 3

Clergy and the Funeral:

Answer 3

• Many clergy have very little training on how to run a funeral service.
• The FD walks most of them through the actual mechanics of a funeral.
• Most clergy are unaware of what the funeral home staff do for a service.

Question 4

Notification of the Clergy:

Answer 4

• Clergy expect to be immediately notified when a member of their congregation has died.
• The FD should notify them as quickly as possible.

Question 5

Place of Service:

Answer 5

Many religious traditions recommend that the funeral of a member be held at the local house of worship.
-If a “churched” family has a strong desire to have the service at the funeral home, the FD should stand aside and let the family address this issue with the pastor.

Question 6

Public Viewing of the Body (Opened or Closed Casket)

Answer 6

• Many clergy do not see the value in viewing dead human remains. They believe that the focus should be on God during this time, not the physical body.
• Some do not allow flowers or open caskets in their house of worship due to distraction and a pall is used to cover the casket.
• Inside the house of worship, the clergy’s preference will prevail; in a funeral home, a compromise would have to be made if the family wants an open casket.
• The FD has a legal obligation to obey the instructions of the person who has authorized the funeral contract.
• FDs may be able to educate the clergy on the positive effects of viewing.

Question 7

Honoraria

Answer 7

A payment for professional services upon which custom forbids a price to be set.

Question 8

Clergy Honoraria:

Answer 8

• FDs should never refer to the honorarium as “pay” or a “fee”.
• Family’s should be informed that is common to give a clergy honoraria. If they do not want to give one, the funeral home should use petty cash to give to the clergy out of respect.

Question 9

Funeral Costs and Clergy

Answer 9

• Clergy desiring to be present at the arrangement conference and in the selection room should be openly welcomed.
• Many clergy have no idea what goes into a funeral
• Educating the local clergy on why and how things are done at the funeral home can be an effective response to unfold criticisms about prices.

Question 10

When interacting with clergy:

Answer 10

• “Kill them with kindness”.

- It is the FDs responsibility to build a cooperative and positive relationship with the clergy.