New York State Funeral Directors Adopt a Code of Ethics

Transitions by Bonnie McCullough

ALBANY, NY (09/10/2009)(readMedia)-- A recent Gallup Poll of consumers ranked funeral directors as "very high" or "high" for honesty and ethics in their service to consumers.

Although funeral directors are viewed in this very positive light by the public, the leadership of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) recently voted to adopt an enforceable Code of Ethics which will apply to all 800 members of the state trade association, and those who apply for membership in the future.

While we are well aware that NYSFDA members already observe the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct, we believe that the adoption of a Code of Ethics will send a strong message to consumers that NYSFDA members take their responsibility to serve the public as funeral directors very seriously.

The Code was passed overwhelmingly by NYSFDA's Board of Directors after extensive research into the nature and structure of existing codes in a variety of organizations and corporations, as well as that in use by the National Funeral Directors Association.

Included in the Code is a list of preferred behaviors in five categories: Service to Families, Care of the Decedent, Obligations to the Public, Obligations to the Government and Obligations to NYSFDA. Specific guidelines in the Code are already being followed by NYSFDA members throughout their careers, and include such things as not engaging in "any unprofessional conduct which is likely to defraud or deceive the public," or to not "knowingly make or file false records or reports in the practice of funeral directing."

Enforcement procedures spell out in detail all the steps the Ethics Committee will take if a complaint is properly filed. If it is determined that further investigation is warranted, one of five actions, or a combination, could result: dismissing the case, reprimand, probation, suspension or termination of NYSFDA membership. There is also an appeals process in place.

Reinforcing the focus on the consumer is a requirement that the person filing the complaint "cannot be a member of NYSFDA, an employee of an NYSFDA member, or any other licensed or registered funeral director in the State of New York, a member of their immediate family, or an agent acting on their behalf."

The second requirement addresses instances where the complaint filed with the Ethics Committee is a clear allegation of a violation of New York State law or regulations, or is the subject of a current case within the courts. In these cases, the Ethics Committee would dismiss the complaint until a decision in the case has been reached by the NYS Bureau of Funeral Directing or the judiciary. After a decision has been issued, the Ethics Committee could still choose to conduct its own investigation and decide on an appropriate penalty.

The Code of Ethics and Enforcement Procedures went into effect on January 1, 2009.

Consumers may read the full text of the Code of Ethics, as well as the procedures for filing a complaint, on NYSFDA's website (www.nysfda.org).

The Code of Ethics is another example of consumer protections put in place by the state's funeral directors to assure families that they will receive the compassion, dedication and care of the deceased that they expect.

(Bonnie McCullough is executive director of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, an organization of more than 800 funeral homes.)

(If you have a question about funeral service or would like a list of NYSFDA member funeral directors in your area, contact NYSFDA, 426 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or visit the website: www.nysfda.org)

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Editor's Note: For more information, or to schedule an interview with NYSFDA Executive Director Bonnie McCullough, please call Vera Nuspliger at 518-882-9816; cell 518-424-8719 or Randy McCullough at 518-452-8230.