National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
We are a member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and as such, we adhere to a strict code of professional conduct,
http://nfda.org/about-nfda-/code-of-professional-conduct.html, that ensures the highest professional standards and quality of service to our funeral and cremation families.
In accordance with the NFDA Code of Professional Conduct, we acknowledge and adhere to the obligations of the funeral and cremation profession in five (5) key areas, which follow an Ethical Principle that sets forth the goals and ideals of the profession.
These obligations to all of our funeral and cremation families are:
I. To the Family
Ethical Principle: Members have an ethical obligation to serve each family in a professional and caring manner, being respectful of their wishes and confidences, being honest and fair in all dealings with them and being considerate of those of lesser means.
II. For the Care of the Decedent
Ethical Principle: Members have an ethical obligation to care for each deceased person with the highest respect and dignity, and to transport, prepare and shelter the remains in a professional, caring and conscientious manner.
III. To the Public
Ethical Principle: Members have an ethical obligation to offer their services and to operate their businesses in accordance with the highest principles of honesty, fair dealing and professionalism.
IV. To the Government
Ethical Principle: Members have an ethical obligation to maintain strict compliance with the letter and spirit of all governmental laws and regulations that impact the funeral consumer, the funeral profession, and the public health.
V. To NFDA
Ethical Principle: Members have an ethical obligation to promote, participate and support the National Funeral Directors Association in its mission to help all members enhance the quality of funeral service to families.
NFDA Consumer Tips for Arranging a Funeral or Cremation
At some time in our lives, most of us will make or assist in making funeral or cremation arrangements.
This will not be an easy time, but the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) offers these tips for smart funeral or cremation planning.
1. Be an informed consumer. Don't be reluctant to ask questions.
2. Today's funeral director offers a variety of options to meet your financial needs and wishes. Families should discuss all funeral and cremation options with their funeral director when making funeral or cremation arrangements.
3. When selecting a funeral director, choose one who is licensed and has a good reputation in the community. Give thought to this decision as you would when choosing a doctor, attorney or other professional.
4. Be prepared! Avoid the burden of making decision while under emotional stress by organizing details with your funeral director ahead of time. Remember ... preplanning doesn't necessarily mean prepaying.
5. Plan a personal and meaningful funeral or cremation ceremony or service to help you begin the healing process. Getting through grief is never easy but having a meaningful funeral will help.
Funeral & Cremation Preplanning Can Offer Emotional and Financial Security
Thinking about one's funeral or cremation leaves most people feeling a little uneasy, but more adults are finding that preparing for the inevitable is a wise decision. Those preplanning their own funerals or cremations say it offers great emotional and even financial security.
Approximately 98 percent of American funeral homes offer funeral and cremation preplanning options to families in their communities, according to the National Funeral Directors Associations (NFDA). Among the biggest reasons families prearrange funerals and cremations is the peace of mind that comes with knowing a spouse or child will not be left with making important decisions at a stressful time.
Preplanning ensures the family that their loved one's final wishes for funeral or cremation will be met. Many families are comforted knowing the funeral reflects what their loved one wanted. Preplanning may or may not involve prepaying. NFDA recommends prearranging for everyone and suggests discussing with a licensed funeral director the benefits prepayment can offer.
There are generally three basic ways to prepay a funeral or cremation.
A regulated trust can be established by a licensed funeral director.
A life-insurance policy can be purchased, equal to the value of the funeral.
Individuals can establish a savings or certificate of deposit account earmarked for funeral expenses. The account can be designated as "payable on death" (POD) to the funeral home.
As with any contract, it's wise to read the prepayment agreement carefully to be sure you understand all the provisions. You may want to ask:
Who receives the interest on the account, and who must pay taxes on the interest?
Is the prepayment ever refundable, in part or in full?
Can the plan be used at a funeral home of my choice?
What happens if the funeral home goes out of business or is sold?
In the event the purchaser of the plan moves, is the prefunded plan transferable?
Once you've made your funeral or cremation prearrangements, keep a copy of your plan and any pertinent paperwork in a safe place and inform a close friend or relative what arrangements you’ve made and where the information may be found.
One of our funeral directors can walk you through the prearrangement process. NFDA recommends prearranging for everyone and developed the Bill of Rights for funeral consumers,
Copyright © 2006 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
www.nfda.org