Code of Good Funeral
Practices (page 1)
As funeral directors, our
calling imposes upon us special responsibilities to those we serve and to the
public at large. An important obligation is to provide information so that
everyone can make knowledgeable decisions about funerals and funeral
directors.
In acceptance of our
responsibilities we affirm the following standards of good funeral practice and
pledge:
- To provide the public with information
about funerals, including prices, and about the functions, services and
responsibilities of funeral directors.
- To afford a continuing opportunity to all
persons to discuss or arrange funerals in advance.
- To make funerals available in as wide a range
of price categories as necessary to meet the needs of all segments of the
community, and to extend affirmatively to everyone the right of inspecting and
freely considering all of them.
- To quote
conspicuously in writing the charges for every funeral offered and to identify
clearly the services, facilities, equipment and merchandise included in such
quotations.
- To furnish each family, at the time funeral
arrangements are made, a written memorandum of charges and to make no
additional charge without the approval of the purchaser.
- To make no representations, written or oral,
which may be false or misleading, and to apply a standard of honesty in all
dealings.
- To respect all faiths, creeds and customs, and
to give full effect to the role of the clergy.
- To maintain a qualified and competent staff,
complete facilities and suitable equipment required for comprehensive funeral
service.
- To assure those we serve the right of personal
choice in making funeral arrangements.
- To be responsive to the needs
of the poor, serving them within their means.
We pledge to conduct ourselves
in every way and at all times in such a manner as to deserve the public
trust.