When we think of the heroes fighting on the frontlines against COVID-19, we do not often imagine them as funeral home owners and employees. These individuals have taken on the job of caring for our society’s memorials and remembrance. And in these trying times, they are needed more than ever. A rising death toll means funeral directors and their employees are facing the coronavirus at its ugliest—and with the highest exposure and risk to themselves.
For this reason, the National Funeral Directors Association, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has created The CDC Coronavirus Guidance for Funeral Directors, which has been broken out into the following sections for easier navigation:
- Download COVID-19 Supply Vendor List
This link immediately downloads the NFDA’s COVID-19 Supply Vendor List - Communicating with the Public
Access social media images, a News Release Template, Key Messages – Conveying the Value of Funerals, signs and placards for your business, and more here - Transfers and Arrangements
Many resources, links and guidelines are provided here on making a removal at a hospital, home, or any location; technical guidance on transfers; CDC guidance on death certificates; and arrangement conferences - Technical Information
Covers the use of standard precautions, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (EPP), and disinfecting contaminated surfaces using products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims - Availability of PPE
Securing PPE continues to be a top priority for NFDA; see here for more information. - Cremation and Burial
Provides details on shipping cremated remains, the states recommending cremation only, interment in veteran cemeteries, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Death Data and Reporting Guidance, and more - Visitations and Funerals
Reviews public gathering guidelines, what you as a funeral director can offer families, webcasting and livestreaming, and more - Deaths Overseas and Ship Outs
Instructs how to handle death overseas, ship outs and the ability to ship human remains via air - Funeral Professionals Who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Risk assessment, infection control guidelines and an FAQ on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and breastfeeding on the CDC website—while this FAQ is directed toward healthcare workers, the same advice would apply to funeral home workers - Funeral Home Owners
See here for funeral service specific guidance, human resources/labor issues/financial relief and more - Frequently Asked Questions
Visit an array of topics here that you need more information on - Practical Guidance Webinars
Must-have documents are also included, such as The Complete Legal Packet for Streaming or Posting Recorded Funeral Services, Letter Verifying Critical Infrastructure Worker Status, Directions to Hold Embalmed Remains for Future Funeral Service, News Release Template for Your Funeral Home, Best Practices Sign for the Public During a Funeral or Visitation, Authorization to Conduct Identification by Photograph Due to COVID-19 Concerns, and Authorization for Viewing of Unembalmed Remains of a COVID-19 Case.
Source Name: National Funeral Directors Association
Source URL: https://www.nfda.org/covid-19