CREMATION OPTIONS

The promotional materials for the National Funeral Directors Association’s 124th Annual Convention & International Exposition dubbed the event with the slogan, “Chicago Style.” While the convention was held in the Windy City, the theme shifted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to speak more about “local heroes.”

After Christine Pepper, NFDA’s chief executive officer, shared a message from President Bush that read,

“I appreciate NFDA members for promoting high standards in your industry. Your efforts demonstrate your dedication to your profession and reflect the compassionate spirit of our nation,” she noted how the association membership, nonmembers and suppliers rose to the occasion to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “Many NFDA members, nonmembers and the entire funeral service community rose to the occasion, selflessly volunteering their time, supplies, money and even their homes,” she said. “I am truly proud of our NFDA members, our staff and the entire funeral service community for the inspiring example you have set in the face of this latest challenge.” During his address to the general session, NFDA President Doggett Whitaker shared some of his thoughts, both pre-Katrina and after. “[Before Katrina] I was thinking about some of our past years, and how relatively calm this year had been, not that there hadn’t been some bumps in the road during the year, but nothing that seemed overly demanding,” said Whitaker, whose legacy as president will be having presided over the association’s response to the devastation. “And then Katrina and Rita have certainly changed this perspective. They have brought my presidency to a monumental close for me personally. “I was privileged to travel to Mississippi and Louisiana after the hurricane, representing NFDA to meet and work with some of the funeral directors in those states. I have seen unbelievable destruction. But I have also seen unbelievable reserve on the part of many funeral directors reaching out to fellow funeral directors supporting each other,” he added. Whitaker described one incident while helping out at one of the funeral homes in Biloxi, Mississippi. A woman came in with her daughter to make arrangements for her husband who had been killed in Katrina. “They [the family] were on the first floor and saw the water rising in their home and went upstairs,” Whitaker said. “It was the woman, her husband, her best friend and three dogs. As they looked out the window of the second story of this building, the water was reaching the window.” Seeing the rising water, the family ran to the back of the house. The woman, her friend and three dogs jumped on to the back porch, which then became separated from the house. “As she looked back, she saw the roof of her house pushing her husband under the water,” Whitaker said. “She told us that she thought he was dead before the water took him away.” The woman and her friend escaped by jumping on some debris that floated by and taking shelter in a tree. The two climbed onto the tree as the dogs floated away. The woman didn’t know exactly how long she was in the tree, but she guessed it was about two-and-one-half hours. When they were finally rescued from the tree, they didn’t know where they were. There weren’t any landmarks because everything had been destroyed. “But the dogs found them and came back to her,” Whitaker said. When the woman came to make the arrangements for her husband, funeral director Bubba Lang introduced Doggett and Christy Whitaker to her. “She didn’t know who we were but she thanked us for being there and for funeral service taking care of people like her in such a delicate situation,” Whitaker said. She told Lang, “I thank you for what you’re doing for me. I know you will take care of my husband when he is found but I have to leave to survive.” Whitaker said that the woman gave Lang a hug and she walked out the door. As she left, Lang turned to Whitaker and said, “Hurricanes are the great equalizer. They do not discriminate between the rich or the poor, black or white, educated or uneducated. They devastate us all.” “This experience has affected me personally,” Whitaker said. “Those things I used to worry about seem less significant today.” Whitaker then asked all those in attendance who had come from Louisiana and Mississippi, and those who had traveled to the stricken areas to come forward and receive wristbands inscribed with the words, “local hero.” “The blue bands unite your fellow funeral directors who care about you and your communities,” he said. “These words were chosen to describe how proud we are of you for the regard and responsibility you have shown so notably and demonstrated so well while
representing funeral service in the midst of tragedy.” The theme of local heroes continued to the convention’s closing session. Following the lead of Whitaker and Bob Biggins, who succeeded Whitaker as NFDA president at the conclusion of the convention, several funeral directors who are based in the Gulf region, traveled to Chicago to share their experiences. Without any fanfare or introduction, Whitaker took the stage for the final session and told the assembly that this would be a difficult presentation to make, unscripted and from the heart. “It’s good to be among friends,” he said. As the Whitakers drove into Gulfport, they passed caravan after caravan of military vehicles and utility trucks. “The closer we got to the gulf, the greater the damage to the trees, to the homes and to the cities,” Whitaker said, recounting his trip. “There were long lines for water and food, and there were extremely long lines for gasoline.” The destruction he saw in Gulfport and Biloxi was virtually beyond description.”Entire neighborhoods were gone, just piles of rubble on a square,” he said. “People were walking around the rubble just trying to find something that was theirs. “As we drove by and we had to stop as the military was directing us, I looked out of the car window and there was a pile of scrap,” Whitaker added. “In that pile was a DVD, a videotape, a scrapbook and a child’s pair of shoes. I didn’t know if it belonged to one family or different families. Standing near one of the funeral homes that had been destroyed, we knew that there had to be somebody nearby that was dead because the smell of death was acutely present.” What he did see in Mississippi and Louisiana were funeral directors living in funeral homes, in forensic centers and trailers. Some had lost their personal homes, their businesses, their cars, their clothes. Some had also lost friends and family.

“But they were still at work taking care of others who needed their help, but they were also looking after each other,” Whitaker said. It was his mission to go into these areas to see how funeral directors were faring and what their greatest needs were both personally and for their businesses, as well as to let them know that funeral directors across the country were there for them. Whitaker stayed in Mississippi for three and a half days and then drove into Lafayette, La., for three more days. “It was not easy to leave either state at week’s end,” he said. “I wanted to stay and work alongside these people. I had become part of it.” Whitaker was followed to the stage by Biggins, who spearheaded NFDA’s volunteer efforts. “While Doggett and Christy were in the Gulf Coast, Doggett asked me to coordinate volunteer efforts with our NFDA staff in Brookfield, Wis.,” Biggins said. “Every day during this crisis we met via teleconference at 9:30 a.m., never once finishing our discussions before noon. Our mission and our vision was to reach out and help. Our mission and vision was to what we as funeral directors do best, that is to step up in crisis, step up to serve our fellow funeral directors so that they can best serve the living while caring for the dead.” Biggins called the volunteer response “overwhelming.” NFDA members, nonmembers and suppliers across the country participated in the effort. “I am so proud of the efforts of NFDA,” Biggins said. “I am so proud of our staff and what they did, giving of themselves.”

One of the stories of selflessness that Biggins shared with attendees was the story of Chad Riemann, president of the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association. Riemann’s wife, Heather, was pregnant with their third child. She went into premature labor as Katrina was bearing down on the Gulf Coast. Riemann took his wife and toddler twins to Jackson, Miss., some 200 miles away from their home, where she delivered a baby girl named Emma. “Once Chad knew that Emma, Heather and his twins were all alright, he got in his car and returned to Gulfport and Biloxi,” Biggins said. “He left a newborn baby, toddler twins and his wife and put his life on hold to care for those who had lost life. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s what we do. We put our lives on hold to help others.” Later Biggins said he felt the need to go to the gulf to help the volunteers. “[Doggett] tried to talk me out of it,” Biggins said. “But I just went and I did what I had to do.” Once the volunteers began to arrive in the Gulfport area, they rolled up their sleeves to help families. “They sleep on visitation room floors, they slept on chapel seats,” Biggins said. “Unless you have been there you cannot imagine what had taken place,” he added, “which is what I wanted to talk about with you today. “I was asked, ‘when do you think things will be back to normal there?” “I thought for a moment and my response was a simple one,” Biggins said. “As far as funeral service is concerned, it’s back to normal and it wasn’t because we continued to do what we do. People who had lost their own homes reached out to serve families. A gentleman who had a brand new baby delivered in the midst of this mayhem, returned to serve. Funeral service never missed a beat. The structures, the infrastructures and the other things that were so impacted, I don’t know if they will ever return to normal. I pray that they will. Funeral service stood tall.”

Want to learn more about cremation services and how they honor local heroes in their time of need? To contact Cremation Options, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.

Cremation, News, funeral

The practice of cremating a deceased person has existed for centuries. After cremation services, the ashes of the deceased were stored in urns. At some point in time, cremation was restricted to the affluent sections of our society. However, in the present time it is an environmentally viable and popular choice. In addition, many people are also looking for ways to preserve the memoirs of a deceased loved one. Often, people look for ways to keep the memories of a loved one close to the heart and alive in their mind.

Cremation jewelry provides you comfort by maintaining a physical connection with the loved one. A few people find solace in holding the ashes of a loved one close to their heart. Displaying a cremation memento as a memorial to a loved one or wearing an ash pendant is personal. It is definitely a better alternative than visiting a columbarium or gravesite. Often, families can share the ashes and get an appropriate piece of jewelry for each member. This allows you to memorialize the deceased. Extremely small quantities of ashes are placed within a sealed compartment in the jewelry.

When majority of the people think about cremation jewelry, they visualize ash pendants worn in the form of cremation necklaces. While it is true that most pieces of cremation jewelry fit the description, other forms of memorial jewelry are also available that are discreet and attractive. Cremation necklaces remain the most attractive form of jewelry. Not only does it adorn your neck, but also helps in maintaining a connection with a departed loved one. Generally, any piece of jewelry includes a small compartment that holds a small quantity of cremated ashes.

Depending upon the selected style, the ashes could be shown or hidden inside the jewelry. These pieces of jewelry could be cremation necklaces, pins and bracelets. The cremated ashes could also be incorporated into crystals and displayed in an extensive array of sizes and colors.

There can be many varieties of cremation necklaces. Select a distinct design, shape and size according to your choice. Moreover, the availability of different designs allows you to have a plethora of options to choose from.

Gold and silver necklaces are available in all themes. The pendant of your necklace can also take several distinct shapes. Your necklace need not be made of something as costly as gold or silver. Instead you can also opt for some cost-effective options. When the jewelry is worn discreetly, it looks as beautiful as any other necklace worn for fashion!

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Remember, Cremation Options is here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.

News Cremation Services, death, funerals, memorials

Shrinking profits, changing neighborhoods and the escalating price of real estate are some of the problems that face those in the funeral service profession. Years ago many chose to simply relocate their funeral home to follow migration patterns of the families they serve. But today’s funeral service professional may be finding that it is better to stay where you are and serve your clientele in your current market area. Serving emerging markets can be done easily and effectively. If you want to remain in your current market area, if you want to serve those around you but the area has changed.

FIND OUR WHO IS IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Finding out who lives in your community is an essential beginning. Many of us drive to work each day and then drive home without noticing what is going on around us. Many of us haven’t taken a look around our communities in a long time to find out who is now living and doing business around our funeral homes. Finding out who lives in your neighborhood gives you a starting point for marketing your business and possibly for the types of services you might offer, too. The first step is to take a walk around your neighborhood. See who is living there. Don’t just look at a business note the apartments above the business and who occupies them. Notice also the types of businesses that are operating, as well as those that have closed. Businesses are indicators as to who lives in the community and who comes into the community for services. As much as the people who live in your community are potential clients so too are the people who travel into that community for services. Another way to find out who is in the neighborhood is to canvas the churches in the area.

I spent a few hours one afternoon in a 27 square block area around my funeral home, writing down church names and addresses. Doing this netted some surprising results. I found a monastery several emerging market congregations and several churches that had been in the neighborhood for a number of years and yet I had never done any business with them. I was able to create a database and now I communicate with these pastors and their congregations on a regular basis. Being able to correspond with these churches gives our firm increased visibility and a chance to serve. Look around at your local schools, and find out what the population of the school is like. Students of course have parents and you may want to concentrate your marketing and advertising in the languages of those who are in the school system. Reaching out in a foreign language proves that you are willing to serve. Finally consider using the U.S. Census (www.factfindre.census.gov) for information on population and economic trends. This information can be accessed by zip code and is fairly up to date. This site also allows you to chart population increases and decreases, home ownership, median family income, level of education and much more.

NAMING YOUR ESTABLISHEMENT

Most funeral homes are named after the owner. However a change in name may better include entire community, demonstrating that you are willing to serve everyone. I once served an Islamic family from West Africa. They said they were hesitant to patronize my funeral home because of the name: Churchman. They thought I only provided services for people who went to church. While this might be an extreme example, it is worth consideration. Many funeral homes are shedding their ethnic identities and taking on names that reflect who they now serve. Take a look around in your market to see if there are any funeral homes designated “funeraia” “capillias” “jewish chapels” or “multinational.” At a minimum consider adding information to your business card that shows a willingness to serve, such as “serving all faiths” or international shipping.

ENVIROMENT SCANNING

Is your funeral home environment one that is friendly to all who enter? Consider an environment scan. The environment of your funeral home is comprised of art work, magazines, photos and signage. Is your signage easy for everyone to read? Consider using universal signage that has no words, only pictures. For example take a look at the signs for public rest rooms and you will notice that ever present male or female picture telling who may enter. Use Readers Digest as an example. The magazine comes in Spanish as well as English and large print versions. If you have a large Spanish speaking population in your community, consider subscribing to a Spanish language magazine. Take a look at the art work on your walls. If it’s not all landscapes and seascapes is it reflective of those who live in your community? Your funeral home should be a welcoming place for everyone in the area. Art work is a simple way to provide that welcome a focal point and a conversation starter.

LEARNING ABOUT NEW RELIGIONS AND FUNERAL CUSTOMS

There is no reason to be put off about new religions and cultural customs. Again start with the very basics. If you are confused or don’t understand as someone. The logical place to begin asking questions is with the family you are serving, with a friend of the family or with the clergy person who is serving the family. Review those mortuary school text books on religions; they will give you a helpful starting place. Read, read and read again all relevant material on ethnic and religious funeral customs. Learn the background of the country so you can converse with the family in a knowledgeable manner. You may want to hire someone from the community who can serve as a community liaison as well as a translator.

BEING THERE AND GIVING SUPERB SERVICE

Now that you have identified the markets you wish to serve, get out there and mingle with people. Attend family and community celebrations. Think about advertising in ethnic media (in the language that media is targeted for). Have celebrations at your funeral home or sponsor celebrations especially those that are particular to a certain ethnic group. For example if you are serving a Mexican community consider having a Dia de Muertos (day of the dead) celebration or giving out information about this celebration. Gary Laderman associate professor of religion at Emory University, wrote in his book, “Rest in Peace: a Cultural History of Death and the Funeral Home in 20th Century America,” that …..funeral directors in addition to all these other things they provide are some sort of …cultural repositories in the sense that they
know these (funeral) traditions. Funeral directors often have to advise second and third generation families on proper funeral rituals. Become a repository of knowledge. Remember that a funeral service professional is there to serve. In providing service to people from emerging markets, think of how you would want to be treated. Families are often uncertain of funeral traditions and accommodations that can be made for them in their new surroundings. While families will often want to cling to what is familiar in terms of funeral services they must understand what is possible in the current environment. With explanations and give and take most families can have the type of services they desire. Make sure during the arrangement process you go slowly and explain what may be very commonplace to you. Act as if you want the business not as if the family is an inconvenience for you. That said you must decide what you will or will not allow in your funeral home. For example will you remove furnishings such as photos, mirrors and fixed seating if asked? Are you in a state that allows food in the funeral home? If so are you willing to serve food to families? Are you willing to stay open all night for viewings if requested? Having a policy for families on these and other matters will prove helpful.
Another element to consider when service first generation immigrant families: many of these families will choose to ship loved one “home.” It is easy to become proficient in international shipping simply by reading and contacting the consulate from the county of the deceased. Remember that remains may lay‐over for more than a day in intermediate airports. Remains may be in less than optimal situations in the receiving country and there may be extended time between death and time of final disposition. It is essential to use excellent embalming protocols. With preparation, planning and a desire to serve humankind you too can provide excellent service to emerging markets in your service area. Ready? Set? Serve.

Remember, Cremation Options is here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.

Cremation, News, funeral Cremation Services, funeral homes, funerals, marketing

You’re a widow or widower you have started to outlive your friends.

Family members live far away, have grown emotionally distant, or are simply busy with their own lives. You wonder if you will soon find yourself alone‐and that is a real concern to you. You fear being lonely, and worry about your safety if you have to live alone. You wonder whether you will be able to cope with whatever life brings along, from the simplest tasks to the larger issues. Is there any way to lay these fears to rest and move into your later years with confidence?

This article will suggest some things you can begin to do now to create the conditions that can lead to a full and happy life whether or not you find yourself living alone following the death of your partner.

Working your way through Your fears are hardly a new experience.
When you drew your first breath you expelled it with a cry because you were cold and frightened until someone’s loving arms cradled you. In no time at all you screamed at the sight of an unfamiliar face and had to somehow muster the courage to let go of a parental hand and take your first step(think for a minute how hard that was: Walking requires throwing ourselves off balance with each step!). Every major change in life is filled with risk: leaving home for the first time, saying “I do” to someone, raising children, changing jobs, moving to a new location. You have already proved yourself a survivor, and you will also manage this latest challenge, even if you find yourself doing so largely on your own.

Tend to relationships. You will surely say final good‐byes to people you have loved for many years, for every human life comes to an end. An ancient prayer attributed to the Aztecs protests this inevitability: “Oh, for so short a time you have loaned us one to the other!” make good use of the time you have, for any relationship needs to be tended to as carefully as a potted plant. When can never tell the people who are closest what they mean to use too often because the opportunity to do so can slip away in a split second.

One of my dearest friends recently suffered a massive stroke and died without warning. We had enjoyed a lengthy long distance phone conversation just a few days before her death, and I will always be grateful that our last words to each other were “I love you.” There is, of course, no way to replace someone dear, for each person is a unique and special gift. Nevertheless, there are a lot of people out there who could become close.

I recently went out to lunch with a young woman from church and her two young sons. I offered the invitation because I am head over heels in love with her 6 year old, but I quickly discovered that this mom and I have much more in common than one delightful little boy. Get involved in activities that bring you into contact with people who may become friends. Test out a senior citizens center or throw yourself into a new volunteer effort. And wherever you are, look around at the people you know only casually. Is there someone you sense you’d like to know better? When we were young, we could afford to let a casual relationship develop into friendship at a leisurely pace, but now that time is growing shorter, it’s better to give things just a little nudge.

Give yourself a nudge, too. Now might be a good time to heal some long‐estranged relationships. Begin by putting old injuries in perspective. Whatever the harm that drove a wedge between you and another family member or friend it is surely less important than being close at a time in your lives when you really need each other. Try, however tentatively, to reestablish loving contact. The person from whom you have been estranged hasn’t grown any younger either, and may respond better than you dare to hope. It is basic human truth that people desperately need each other. Remember that human beings not only need to be loved; they also need to love and nurture others. No one ever has to look far to find someone who needs a friendly word or some other kind of assistance. Spread a few smiles even as you run your errands, and be attentive to people who are ill or grief stricken.

Become more safety‐conscious. One of the most serious hazards for an older person is a fall. The tumble that might have left us bruised and achy when we were younger may cause more serious injury when we’re older. So take a good look around for things that might trip you up. Start with that most dangerous place home: the bathroom. The tub or shower should provide non‐slip footing.

Consider adding a shower stool and/or grab bars (some simply attach with suction cups). Be sure the “throne” is high enough or has something you can brace yourself with. Clear out the clutter so that you have a wide and easy pathway wherever you are going in your home. You can also sell or give away things you really don’t need. Move the things you use frequently to accessible shelves (get someone to help you do this!) or invest in a sturdy stepstool with a rail to hold onto for those times when you have to reach a little higher. Try to take good care of your health.

According to statistical studies, people are living longer and healthier lives than ever before. Half of the folks over 65 report no significant disability, and according to the 2000 census, less than 5 percent of us end up in nursing homes. Do your best to stay in the majority by seeing your doctor regularly and observing instructions to the letter. Plan ahead for emergencies. Ask someone to call you at an arranged time every day (this is a kindness you could exchange with another elderly person).

Consider something like an alert system that will bring help whenever you press the button hanging around your neck (check with your pharmacist for possible options). You can redefine your concept of independence. There is no shame in needing help! At their best, human beings are interdependent. It is a wonderful thing to be generous to other people when they need help. It is no less a gift to allow others even strangers, perhaps‐to give you a hand when you need it.

Explore available resources now. There is a lot of help available to older people. Begin with what’s closest at hand: your faith community. What kind of support is available for people living alone? My own community offers help with meals, transportation to medical appointments, phone calls, visits. Your city or region may offer services such as Meals on Wheels, visiting nurses, and transportation. Call your local Council on Aging or contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Elder Care Locator (see “Sources of additional help” below) to learn what services are available where you live. Make a list of agencies you may someday have to use so that all you have to do when the need arises is make a phone call.

Learn to enjoy your own company. There is no end of satisfying things you can do alone (some of us have always known that!) in fact, most creative efforts require a degree of solitude. Make something beautiful with whatever tools you wield comfortably: a needle or a paint brush, carpentry or gardening tools. Write a story or record your memories for the local historical society. Read or work crossword or jigsaw puzzles. Try your hand at something you
have never done before. Most of all enrich your prayer life. Experiment with forms of prayer you haven’t tried before. Buy a tape that offers guided meditations. Try contemplation‐ just relaxing in the arms of your God. Explore the riches of your tradition’s scriptures. Or fall back into a prayer style you were once familiar with but haven’t used for a while.

Take heart your relationship with God is the one thing that will continue to sustain you all the days of your life and even beyond. Turn to God in faith and prayer, and reach out to those God puts into your life as companions on the journey. There is a path forward, and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Remember, we are here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.

News Cremation Options, death, life, widowers, widows

Recent events in Idaho and an increased number of inquires by funeral service professionals on NFDA’s OSHA support line justify a refocus on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and the proper precautions an embalmer should take when facing a confirmed CJD case in order to minimize potential transmission of the disease and remain in compliance with OSHA laws, standards and regulations. CJD infectivity is found in high concentration in the brain, spinal cord and the eye itself. It also is found to a much lesser degree, in cerebral spinal fluid, and possibly in blood. The disease apparently does not cross barriers of intact skin or adjacent mucus membranes, but transmission is possible through a penetrating injury. CJD is always fatal and based on current scientific data is still considered untreatable. The primary hazard in embalming and preparation is that CJD has a high resistance to customary means of decontamination, such as boiling, irradiation and the use of chemicals, such as alcohol, phenols and formaldehyde. In their place the use of steam under pressure for instruments (autoclaving) incineration and chemical exposure to sodium hydroxide or bleach for an extended period has been recommended. OSHA still does not provide a separate funeral specific standard for hazardous exposure to CJD and instead relies upon its existing Bloodborne Pathogen disinfection recommendations for CJD are not directly referenced in this standard, however leaving the question open as to what steps a funeral director should follow in the removal, handling and embalming process in order to remain in compliance with the standard and moreover to safely handle a confirmed CJD case, given its undisputed resistance to disinfection.

CJD & OSHA

The funeral and cremation service professionals must be aware that OSHA considers CJD a known hazard in the health-care profession and in funeral service. Therefore this fact clearly requires employers to take all additional steps necessary-beyond those required by a specific OSHA standard -to protect employees against exposure to CJD. In general the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires universal precautions, meaning that all human blood and certain body fluids must be treated as if they are known to be infectious for HIV, hepatitis B and other Bloodborne pathogens. Per an OSHA inspection Directive this includes CJD. In addition employers must implement engineering controls that isolate or remove the Bloodborne pathogen hazard from the workplace and initiate work-practice controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure to the Bloodborne pathogen by altering the manner in which employees perform a task. When an occupational exposure to a Bloodborne pathogen exists, employers must provide-at no cost to the employee-appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks, and eye protection. Each of these items will only be considered appropriate if the device does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through or reach the employee’s work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth or other mucus membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time that the personal protective equipment will be used. Requirements also exist for disposable equipment, housekeeping, an exposure control plan, training and the labeling of biohazards.

Protection against CJD requires additional protection and procedures specific and unique to this disease. Because of its unusually high risk, mortality rate and resistance to normal disinfection procedures, these CJD specific procedures, workplace controls and engineering controls must appear in the employer’s Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, and specific training must be given and documented in their appropriate use. If using sodium hydroxide as a disinfectant as some have recommended for a CJD case, funeral professionals must be aware that sodium hydroxide is a regulated air contaminant under Table Z-1 of the OSHA Air Contaminant Standard, 1910.1000. According to the table an employee’s exposure to sodium hydroxide is limited to two milligrams per cubic meter, during an eight hour time-weighted average. If using sodium hydroxide as a CJD disinfectant funeral service employers must ensure that an employee’s exposure to this substance does not exceed this time-weighted average during any eight hour shift of a 40 hour work week. To achieve compliance with this requirement if using sodium hydroxide, employers must conduct air sampling to determine if an overexposure hazard exists and if so implement administrative or engineering controls to reduce exposure to within the stated limit. When such controls prove infeasible, employers must provide personal protective equipment, such as respirators. In addition if a respirator is required because of the potential overexposure to a disinfecting chemical, such as sodium hydroxide, the respirator must be provided and used in a manner consistent with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, 1910.134.

This not only requires providing an appropriate respirator as protection against a specific chemical exposure, but also requires a Respiratory Protection Program, fit-testing of the respirator, a medical determination regarding the employee’s ability to use a respirator, an inspection and maintenance program for the respirators, and employee training regarding their safe use and maintenance, along with other stated requirements. Many writers and organizations such as the World Health Organization do not encourage embalming autopsied remains of remains with traumatic injuries. Others have claimed however that embalming can be performed using disposable masks, gowns and gloves; placing the body on an impermeable sheet to contain leakage; arranging drain sites to limit surface contamination; collecting body fluids in a stainless steel container; closing incisions with glue and wiping down the body with bleach; an decontamination the container of body fluids using sodium hydroxide while avoiding spillage and the heat the fluid will generate. There are also specific requirements for the amount of time that mortuary waste must be kept in the container, requirements for the disposal of sheets and disposable items via incineration and flooding contaminated surfaces with sodium hydroxide or bleach. The latter again might create a chemical hazard and require CJD specific disinfection instructions. If following these procedures pay rigorous attention to the containment of potentially infectious materials including the prevention of penetration injuries by possibly contaminated instruments, and the avoidance of splashing of blood or spinal fluid onto the skin, lips or eyes. Significantly such cuts must be treated like a venomous bite, which would include bleeding the cut, chemical disinfection and washing with large amounts of water.

CJD & WORKERS COMP

A second issue concerning CJD concerns its potential workers compensation impact should exposure occur while embalming a CJD case. Workers compensation statues are creatures of state law, with each state enacting and enforcing its own version of workers compensation. In general however for an employee to recover for an injury or illness, the employee would have to show that the condition occurred, arose out of or had a relationship to employment. Given the relatively long time that it takes for CJD to develop after an initial period (which could be up to 25 years), it would be difficult to establish a casual relationship when the disease surfaces. In practical terms this means that a workers’ compensation insurance carrier might deny coverage and the exposed employee would face the dilemma of proving a work relationship and jobsite work exposure for CJD even I the diagnosis of CJD is not in dispute. This is especially problematic since a number of CJD cases apparently have been and continue to be, inadequately documented or mischaracterized, even though CJD is considered an emerging infectious disease. IF preparation is to be performed on a confirmed CJD case a funeral home owner should consider providing increased health and life insurance coverage for the embalming staff and verify that any existing insurance policies do not contain exclusionary language that might limit or prevent a claim for CJD being brought. In some cases this might require additional coverage or adding a rider to an existing policy.

PARTING THOUGHT

It is clear that when facing a confirmed CJD case in which the remains are not intact, due to either autopsy or physical trauma, direct cremation or direct burial is still the safest procedure. If the remains before cremation or direct burial are placed in a sealed casket a memorial service can also be held without hazard. If embalming a CJD case in which the remains are intact and were not autopsied, the presence of CJD still requires scrupulous compliance with applicable safety and health regulations, even though the hazard to the embalmer is greatly reduced. Unless a funeral service practitioner is trained to handle the specific requirements needed for CJD case and is fully committed to scrupulously complying with these requirements the preparation of a CJD case should not be attempted.

Remember, Cremation Options is here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.

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