Funeral Directing CH-3 Arrangement Conference

Payment Options

Immediate Payment (most FD's offer a discount for this) Insurance Assignment (Because of time and work, some FD's may charge a fee for this) Credit Card (Becoming more common) Financial Institution Loan Wait Until the Estate is Settled (Used to be most common. Least favorable)

Death Certificate

Legal document containing vital statistics, disposition information, and final medical information pertaining to the cause of death. -Vital statistic information is supplied by an informant (one who supplies information concerning the deceased) -Funeral directors/Embalmers information - pertaining the place of death, date, and location of funeral disposition Registrar's Information - official signature and data of the legal government agency

Burial, Cremation or Transit Permit/Disposition Permit (BTP)

Legal document issued by the proper government agency authorizing transportation and/or disposition of human remains -Issues upon the filing of the completed death certificate with proper agency -Is the legal permit that allows the funeral director to transport and/or dispose of a dead human body -Is the legal record that final disposition has occurred (Burial, removal, or cremation) -Some states, a release from the coroner or medical examiner is required

Vital Statistics Content

Name Address Place of death Date of death Gender Race Marital status Date of birth Veteran Doctors name Cause of death Spouse, name, age Informants name, age Informants phone number Father's name Father's birthplace Mother's maiden name Mother's birth place Cemetery/crematory Service number Date entered service Date discharged Occupation SSN Place of business Name of hospital Grave number Grave owner Section Date of funeral Clergy person Church Service at Time of service

Vital Statistics

Needed for the death notice, death certificate, and funeral home's records

Non-Traditional

Religious oriented but follows a more modern interpretation, including favorite music, poems, and readings

Humanistic Service

Service devoid of religion

Death Notice/Obituary Information

Spouse Father Mother Sons Daughters Brothers Sisters Grandchildren Organizations Visitation Funeral Funeral Home

Arrangement Conference

The meeting between the funeral director and the client family during which the funeral arrangements are discussed

Funeral Celebrant Service

To meet the needs of families funeral directors can use these instead of the clergy to conduct a non-religious service

Statement of Good and Services

When all items of service and merchandise have been selected, the funeral director will complete and give the clients this. -Required by the FTC to be given at the end of the arrangement conference

Death Benefits

Funeral Director's should be familiar with the most common forms. -Social Security (CH-20) -Veterans (CH-20)

Funeral Options

(1) A funeral with the body present with public viewing, service, and committal (burial, entombment or cremation) (2) A funeral with the body present with private viewing, public or private service and committal (burial, entombment or cremation) (3) A funeral with the body present but all facets are private (4) A funeral with the body present with no viewing but a public service and public or private committal (5) A funeral with the body present with no viewing and everything else private (6) A public graveside service with the body present to be distinguished from a committal service only (7) A direct disposition by cremation or interment preceded or followed by a public or private service without the body present (8) A direct disposition by cremation or interment preceded by viewing (9) A direct disposition by cremation or interment with no viewing or attendant rites or ceremonies (10) A body donation preceded or followed by a public or private service with the body or cremated remains present (11) A body donation without any public or private service

Suggestions for the Arrangement Conference

(1) Avoid reaching for your pen for the first 15 minutes of the arrangement conference (2) Help make a funeral more personal and meaningful by including the deceased's things (what they liked to evoke memories) (3) Keep arranging funeral directors fresh and prepared for the conference by not scheduling too many arrangements per day (4) Try meeting families at the door when they enter, or even in the parking lot (5) Learn from others and experience. Strive for greatness.

Before Entering the Selection Room

(1) Permission to touch (2) Number of caskets (3) Range of prices (4) Explanation of the different types of caskets (5) Reason for the large selection (6) Explanation of what will occur (7) If the funeral director will stay or leave

Purposes of the Death Certificate

(1) Shows cause of death for medical or actuarial research (2) Is the legal, permanent record of death (3) Is a permanent statistical record of the deceased (4) Assist with settling estate/legal affairs

What to Expect in the Next Day or Two

(1) When to arrive for the first viewing (2) What to expect during public visitation (3) What will be done with flowers that are received (4) Any items or information they need to bring with them

Planning Process Details

(1) Writing a death notice or obituary (2) Date and time of visitation (3) Date and time for disposition (4) Coordinates with the clergy or funeral celebrant (5) Merchandise selection (6) Floral selection (7) Automobiles needed (8) Explanation of expenses (9) Explanation of government forms (10) Personalization options (11) Special requests (12) Service details such as music selections, religious or inspirational readings (13) Financial arrangements

Death Notice

A classified notice publicized the death of a person, listing survivors and giving those details of the funeral service that the survivors wish to have published. -Usually a charge for this announcement

Memorial Service

A service without the body present usually held days or weeks after

Obituary

An announcement of death that has a biographical sketch of the person's life, listing occupation, organizations, and notable informations, sometimes with a photograph. -There is not usually a charge for an obituary (ig?)

Location of Arrangements

Can be made anywhere. -Funeral home or the home of the client family