1. THE IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS IN FUNERAL SERVICE Presented by: Ken Whittaker Whittaker Funeral Support Services

2. ETHOS
Stands for
“CHARACTER”

3. ETHICS
That 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 action

4. LAW vs. ETHICS LAW (External) ETHICS (Internal)
Concerned with acts and conduct
Concerned with the interest of society
ETHICS (Internal)
Concerned with motives
Concerned with the interest of the individual and society

5. FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN ETHICAL BUSINESS
DECISION MAKING
Laws
Government Regulations
Employee Needs
Consumer Needs
Social Pressure
Firm’s Financial Status

6. ETHICS IN FUNERAL DIRECTING

7. Ethical Obligations: Family Allied Professions Medical Clergy
Confidentiality
Knowledgeable and factual representation
Professional Service to Everyone
Allied Professions
Medical
Cemetery & Cremation
Clergy
Legal & Judicial
Florists
Military
News Media

8. ETHICS IN THE PREPARATION ROOM

9. Areas of Importance Security and Privacy 2. Respect for the Deceased
3. Work Properly Authorized
4. Maintaining Complete Confidentiality
All Work Done Must be Thorough and Complete
Complete Documentation Necessary

10. SELECTED TERMINOLOGY

11. Ethical decisions can involve:
Honesty
Fairness
Integrity
Genuineness
Decency
Esteem
Credibility
Kindness
Compassion
Loyalty
Dependability
Forthrightness
Impartiality
Accountability

12. CODE OF ETHICS A declaration or statement
of the professional standards of right and wrong conduct

13. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
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.”

15. For Funeral Home Display

17. Beliefs that are held in high esteem
VALUES
Beliefs that are held in high esteem

18. Synonymous with ethical.
MORAL
Synonymous with ethical.
Refers to the customs, values and standards of practice of a group, age or theory intended to be timeless.

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

20. Fidelity to moral principles.
INTEGRITY
Fidelity to moral principles.

21. Let’s Take A Short Break!

22. STEPS FOR ETHICAL PROBLEM SOLVING
Identify the problem
Define the ethical issues of the problem
Break down the problem into smaller identifiable elements
Identify what options are available in solving the problem
Consider the consequences of each option

23. STEPS FOR ETHICAL PROBLEM SOLVING (Continued)
Do you need help with your efforts
Select the best solution
Implement your solution
Follow the situation until you see actual results of your decision

24. MAKING A CODE OF ETHICS WORK
Adherence to the code must be expected of everyone in the
company, and a violation of the code must be dealt with
fairly for everyone.
The code must be reviewed periodically and revised as needed,
and there must be a method to measure effectiveness of the
code.
The wording in the code must be succinct and easily under-
stood and an educational training process must be implemented
to teach the code.

25. MAKING A CODE OF ETHICS WORK
The involvement and commitment must start with top
management. This commitment must be recognized in
all management discussions and actions.
There must be employee recognition of the company’s
commitment to ethical behavior. Employees should
have input in the developing, monitoring, and revision
of the code.
The introduction of the importance of the code of ethics
should start with recruiting and hiring.

26. CONTENT OF A CODE OF ETHICS
Confidentiality
Conduct with: families, suppliers, allied professionals, stockholders/partners, etc.
Commitment to excellence in service and products
Commitment to employees
Responsibilities to community
Commitment to the profession
Respect for the deceased

27. WHEN A QUICK ETHICAL DECISION MUST BE MADE

28. QUICK TEST 1
Actions are ethical as long as they serve the public interest.
They cease to be ethical when they serve only the interests of those who serve, rather than the people being served.
Using this standard, is your decision ethical?

29. QUICK TEST 2 3 QUESTION “ETHICS CHECK”
Is it legal? Will I be violating either civil law or company policy?
Is it balanced? Is it fair to all concerned in the short term as well as the long term? Does it promote win-win relationships?
How will it make me feel about myself? Will it make me proud? Would I feel good if my decision were published in the news paper? Would I feel good if my family knew about it?

30. QUICK TEST 3 KLICKER’S “HOW WOULD IT” MODEL
How would it look on the 50 yard line of a football stadium filled with 80,000 people?
How would it make my parents and children feel, proud or ashamed?
How would I feel if it happened to me or someone I loved?
How would I feel if I had to talk about it on TV of radio?
How would it be helpful to others?

31. Are There Any Questions?

32. THE END