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THE IMPORTANCE
OF ETHICS IN
FUNERAL SERVICE
Presented by: Ken Whittaker
Whittaker Funeral Support Services
ETHOS
Stands for
“CHARACTER”
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
LAW vs. ETHICS
• LAW (External)
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
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN
ETHICAL BUSINESS
DECISION MAKING
Laws
Government Regulations
Employee Needs
Consumer Needs
Social Pressure
Firm’s Financial Status
ETHICS
IN
FUNERAL DIRECTING
Ethical Obligations:
Family
Confidentiality
Knowledgeable and factual representation
Professional Service to Everyone
Allied Professions
Medical
Clergy
Florists
Cemetery & Cremation
Legal & Judicial
Military
News Media
ETHICS
IN THE
PREPARATION ROOM
Areas of Importance
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Security and Privacy
Respect for the Deceased
Work Properly Authorized
Maintaining Complete
Confidentiality
All Work Done Must be Thorough
and Complete
Complete Documentation Necessary
SELECTED
TERMINOLOGY
Ethical decisions can involve:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Honesty
Fairness
Integrity
Genuineness
Decency
Esteem
Credibility
•
•
•
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Kindness
Compassion
Loyalty
Dependability
Forthrightness
Impartiality
Accountability
CODE OF ETHICS
A declaration or statement
of the 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.”
For Funeral Home Display
VALUES
Beliefs that are held
in high esteem
MORAL
Synonymous with ethical.
Refers to the customs, values and
standards of practice of a group,
age or theory intended to be
timeless.
HONESTY
Having a sense of honor,
upright and fair dealing
INTEGRITY
Fidelity to moral principles.
Let’s Take A
Short Break!
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
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
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 understood and an educational training process must be implemented
to teach the code.
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.
CONTENT OF A CODE OF ETHICS
• Confidentiality
• Conduct with: families, suppliers, allied
professionals, stockholders/partners, etc.
• Commitment
products
•
•
•
•
to
excellence
in
Commitment to employees
Responsibilities to community
Commitment to the profession
Respect for the deceased
service
and
WHEN A QUICK
ETHICAL DECISION
MUST BE MADE
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?
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?
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?
Are There
Any Questions?
THE
END