Ethics in Funeral Service (1)

What does the Golden Rule in funeral service state?

"TO DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU"

Why people are reluctant to report unethical behavior?

- "There for the Grace of God go I" -Being a squealer/snitch -Fear of physical harm

Values

Beliefs that are held in high esteem.

Consumer Needs

Economic, physical, and emotional

Employee Needs

Economic, physical, and emotional

What is the most important asset to a funeral home?

It's employees

What level is moral maturity gained at?

Level 6

Does ethics require you to like your competitors?

No

In funeral service, who/what regulates the issuing or revoking of licenses and maintenance of licensing rules?

State governments

Ethics

The branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions.

Utilitarianism

The morally right action produces the greatest good for the largest number of people.

Business Ethics

What is good or moral in business transactions.

Is this simple principle universally recognized in every one of the world's major religions?

Yes

Professionalism

professional character or spirit

Social Pressure

Determining what is the company's social responsibility.

Meta-ethics

Evaluates the meaning of ethical statements and the structure and reasons used at arriving at normative theories

What's a paradox in the funeral profession?

Even though most of us do not condone illegal or unethical behavior, we also don't condone reporting it.

Integrity

Fidelity to moral principles

Honesty

Having a sense of honor,upright, and fair dealing.

Normative Ethics

Involves formulating moral standards of conduct

What is important about management/supervision?

It's generally accepted that an employer has the ethical responsibility to train employees in all aspects of their position, compensate them justly, and give them a safe environment in which to work.

What personal belongings found on the decedent should be given to the family?

Jewelry, money, or clothing

Within the funeral service, what has been the biggest unethical and illegal behavior done?

Large pre-need companies have absconded with hundreds of people's pre-need funds.

Every profession that grants _________ to a practice carries with it certain legal and ethical rules that are expected to be adhered to.

License

Deontological Theory (Also known as non-consequential-ism)

Maintains that the morality of an action is determined by its motives or in accordance with some rules.

Teleological Theory ( Also known as consequential-ism.)

Maintains that the morality of an action is determined solely by its consequences.

Situational Ethics

Moral principles that vary with circumstances.

Does ethics require that additional embalming procedures (major restoration) be charged for above the standard embalming fee?

No

Confidentiality (During Embalming)

No information about the condition of the deceased, the procedures performed, or pre-existing conditions be given to anyone except immediate family or the proper authorities who need to know.

What is important about management style?

No owner, manager, or supervisor has the right to humiliate, embarrass, or ridicule an employee.

Privacy (During Embalming)

Only authorized individuals with reason should be present in the prep room during embalming.

Moral (synonymous with ethical)

Refers to the customs, values, and standards of practice of a group, age, or theory intended to be timeless.

When the family entrusts the body of a loved one into your care, they have a _______ to expect you to use the time and procedures needed to care for the body according to the accepted standards of the profession.

Right

What happens when failure to live up to these standards occurs?

The license is either revoked or suspended.

What has become one of the most challenging issues confronting the corporate community in this era?

The question of ethics

In funeral service, what area seems to be the most at risk for unethical or illegal behavior?

The use of pre-need monies and cash advances

Relativism

There is no one correct moral standard for all times and all people.

What must your intention be?

To use professional and sensitive care during this process whether you are alone with the deceased or in public view.

Government Regulations

Usually enacted to protect consumers

Where are our ethical responsibilities particularly important?

With any advertising or publicity

If the family instructs you to destroy or discard items, should you do it?

Yes

Should remains be moved to the stretcher as gently and in a dignified a manner?

Yes

Should the family be informed of the condition of soiled clothing and be given the option to take with them?

Yes

Absolute Moral Standard

a moral principle followed consistently regardless of the situation.

It is a common, and somewhat therapeutic way for people involved in _________ and/or _______ _________ to relieve stress by taking part in activities that individuals outside the profession may feel are inappropriate.

life ; death occupations

Code of Ethics

A declaration or public statement of professional standards of right and wrong conduct.

Golden Rule

A rule of ethical conduct found in some form in most major religions usually phrased, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

What was once considered unethical, but is now accepted as okay?

Advertisement of prices

Absolutism

An action is right or wrong because a higher authority of some kind says it is.

What are other examples of unethical and illegal behavior in the funeral industry?

-Crematories have cremated multiple bodies together and co-mingle their cremains. -Embalmers haven't prepared remains properly causing added grief to mourning families. -Funeral directors have switched caskets for less expensive ones before final deposition.

Restorative Art (During Embalming)

-Not proceeding with the restoration because it will be time consuming would no be ethical -Even recommending to the family that the deceased not be viewed because you or your embalmers don't have the level of skill necessary may be unethical.

Law

-Rules that govern society -Concerned with conduct

What are examples of such activities?

-The surgeon who sings while operating -Firemen who laugh and tell jokes at a bad disaster -A police officer on a murder scene who swears at the situation or those involved -The funeral director who finds certain actions of bereaved person humorous.

Steps for ethical problem solving

1. Identify the problem 2. Define the ethical issues of the problem 3. Break down the problem into smaller identifiable elements 4. Identify what options are available in solving the problem 5. Consider the consequences of each option 6. Do you need help with your efforts 7. Select the best solution 8. Implement your solution 9. Follow the situation until you see actual results of your decision

Firm's Financial Status

Complying to high ethical standards seems more prevalent during strong economic times. During times of financial difficulties, owners/managers are more opt to forgo ethics for economics.

What is something important about wages?

An employee should receive a salary that's commensurate with his/her skills and valuable to the business.

Between what level do most American Adults function ?

Between levels 3--levels 5

The _______ is the physical manifestation of the spirit (conscious); it talked to us, held us when we were frightened, beamed with pride at our accomplishments, cried when it hurt, and laughed when it was happy.

Body

Because of the imperfection of the law as a measure for the ethical decision making, most _________ ____ ________ use the law only as a minimal standard.

Codes of Ethics