May 2020

Page A14 MAY 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A Funeral Directors Research,Inc. AMRA INSTRUMENT, LLC 623 N. Tower (P.O. Box 359) Centralia, WA 98531 “the shorter the supply line the better off you are” WEB DIRECT GIFT & PRICING TM ® www.amrainstruments.com www.preproomdirect.com By Glenn Lafitte At the time of this writing, COVID-19 cases and fatali- ties continue to rise and proliferate across the country. By the time you read this (May 2020), we all hope that we have seen the apex of cases and that a decline in prevalence is occur- ring. Obviously this pandemic is teaching us a lot about the need for preparedness and infection prevention and control. As deathcare professionals, we continue to provide a vital ser- vice within this pandemic and the exposure risks can be high if proper precautions are not taken. What many of you have already seen and read about is the need to continue to stress universal precautions and heightened infection control mea- sures when handling the deceased as it relates to COVID-19. In essence, the foundational practices associated with uni- versal precautions are very effective in protecting funeral workers from this virus. One of the things I believe will happen as a result of this experience for us all in the death- care industry is a renewed and heightened focus on work- er health and safety and OSHA compliance. Experiencing something like this reminds us all of the various health and safety risks we face day-to-day in our business. Everything from wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), formaldehyde exposure monitoring, and training to proper disinfection and cleaning practices, and many others should all receive new focus at your funeral home. OSHA regulations exist to do one thing and that is to protect workers on the job. And in our industry, the risks we face are many and we have taken the right steps to protect ourselves. The following information is from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about COVID-19 and funeral practice. It is being reprinted here in its entirety. Frequently Asked Questions: Am I at risk if I go to a funeral or visitation service for someone who died of COVID-19? There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19. Am I at risk if I touch someone who died of COVID-19 after they have passed away? COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads. The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to mainly spread from close contact (i.e. within about 6 feet) with a person who is currently sick with COVID-19. The virus likely spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, simi- lar to how influenza and other respiratory infections spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. This type of spread is not a concern after death. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. People should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. There may be less of a chance of the virus spreading from certain types of touching, such as holding the hand or hugging after the check for any additional state and local requirements that may dictate the handling and disposition of the remains of individuals who have died of certain infectious diseases. What should I do if my family member died from CO- VID-19 while overseas? When a US citizen dies outside the United States, the de- ceased person’s next of kin or legal representative should no- tify US consular officials at the Department of State. Con- sular personnel are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide assistance to US citizens for overseas emergen- cies. If a family member, domestic partner, or legal repre- sentative is in a different country from the deceased per- son, he or she should call the Department of State’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, DC, from 8 am to 5 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday, at 888- 407-4747 (toll-free) or 202-501-4444. For emergency as- sistance after working hours or on weekends and holidays, call the Department of State switchboard at 202-647-4000 and ask to speak with the Overseas Citizens Services duty officer. In addition, US Embassy closest to or in the coun- try where the US citizen died can provide assistance. My family member died from COVID-19 while over- seas. What are the requirements for returning the body to the United States? CDC does not require an autopsy before the remains of a person who died overseas are returned to the United States. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the death, some countries may require an autopsy. Sources of support to the family include the local consulate or embassy, travel insurance provider, tour operator, faith-based and aid or- ganizations, and the deceased’s employer. There likely will need to be an official identification of the body and official documents issued by the consular office. CDC requirements for importing human remains depend upon if the body has been embalmed, cremated, or if the person died from a quarantinable communicable disease. At this time, COVID-19 is a quarantinable communica- ble disease in the United States and the remains must meet the standards for importation found in 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 71.55 and may be cleared, released, and authorized for entry into the United States only under the following conditions: • The remains are cremated; OR • The remains are properly embalmed and placed in a her- metically sealed casket; OR • The remains are accompanied by a permit issued by the CDC Director. The CDC permit (if applicable) must ac- company the human remains at all times during shipment. • Permits for the importation of the remains of a person known or suspected to have died from a quarantinable communicable disease may be obtained through the CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine by calling the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770- 488-7100 or emailing dgmqpolicyoffice@cdc.gov . Please see CDC’s guidance for additional information. What is CDC doing? This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available. CDC works 24/7 to protect people’s health. More information about CDC’s response to COVID-19 is available online. OSHA Compliance body has been prepared for viewing. Other activities, such as kissing, washing, and shrouding should be avoided before, dur- ing, and after the body has been prepared, if possible. If wash- ing the body or shrouding are important religious or cultural practices, families are encouraged to work with their commu- nity cultural and religious leaders and funeral home staff on how to reduce their exposure as much as possible. At a mini- mum, people conducting these activities should wear dispos- able gloves. If splashing of fluids is expected, additional per- sonal protective equipment (PPE) may be required (such as disposable gown, faceshield or goggles and facemask). Cleaning should be conducted in accordance with manufac- turer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. After removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that con- tains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Soap and water should be used if the hands are visibly soiled. What do Funeral Home Workers need to know about han- dling decedents who had COVID-19? A funeral or visitation service can be held for a person who has died of COVID-19. Funeral home workers should fol- low their routine infection prevention and control precautions when handling a decedent who died of COVID-19. If it is nec- essary to transfer a body to a bag, follow Standard Precautions, including additional personal protective equipment (PPE) if splashing of fluids is expected. For transporting a body after the body has been bagged, disinfect the outside of the bag with a product with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g. concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). Wear disposable nitrile gloves when handling the body bag. Embalming can be conducted. During embalming, follow Standard Precautions including the use of additional PPE if splashing is expected (e.g. disposable gown, faceshield or gog- gles and facemask). Wear appropriate respiratory protection if any procedures will generate aerosols or if required for chem- icals used in accordance with the manufacturer’s label. Wear heavy-duty gloves over nitrile disposable gloves if there is a risk of cuts, puncture wounds, or other injuries that break the skin. Additional information on how to safely conduct aerosol-gen- erating procedures is in the CDC’s Post-mortem Guidance. Cleaning should be conducted in accordance with manufac- turer’s instructions. Products with EPA-approved emerging vi- ral pathogens are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufactur- er’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). After cleaning and removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available. Soap and water should be used if the hands are visibly soiled. Decedents with COVID-19 can be buried or cremated, but Glenn Lafitte is the President and principle owner of Ecolomed LLC. Ecolomed LLC has offered comprehensive OSHA compli- ance services to the funeral home industry since 1992. For more information, please visit www.ecolomed.com or call 918-625-4755. FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.nomispublications.com Monthly Columns online at Marketing That Works: 5 Steps for Creating an Effective Marketing Plan By Charlie Kanet, Kanet Advertising Charlie Kanet The word “Marketing” conjures up, for most people, vi- sions of sleek offices on Madison Avenue where Perrier- sipping young Turks create million-dollar advertising cam- paigns. Now put that picture out of your head. Marketing is not a luxury available only to corporate giants with eye- popping budgets. Marketing should be an essential part of every successful business, including yours, because it gives you what we all seek: the competitive edge. You may not have Procter & Gamble’s advertising budget, but effective marketing is still within your reach. And it all must begin with a solid, well-thought-out marketing plan. Like a business plan or a budget, a marketing plan is a framework. It takes careful consideration and a commitment of time on the front end, but once it is in place it gives you direc- tion, keeps your efforts on course and keeps you pro- actively promoting your business. Where do you begin in creating a market- ing plan? Let me show you. Creating a marketing plan may seem overwhelming at first glance, but when you break it into steps it becomes not only manageable but also an exercise that will compel you to take a close look at your business. Step 1: Identify Your Marketing Goal. Now, you might say, “Isn’t that obvious? I want to increase my business.” Typically, that’s true, yet often there is a more specific underlying goal. For instance, your actual objective might be to edu- cate the public about cremation so they understand that cremation as an alternative to burial is not limited to di- rect cremation and can incorporate traditional funeral ser- vices. Or you may have moved to a different location or opened an additional facility, so location is a primary mes- sage. Identifying your goal will keep your message consis- tent and goal-oriented. And you’re correct, these specific goals share a common thread: increasing your business. Continued on Page A15 www. nomi spubl i cat i ons . com Market Research by MKJ Marketing Too Many Brand Names? Consider an Umbrella Brand. © 2020 MKJ Marketing 1-888-MKJ-1566 www.mkjmarketing.com Glenn Gould CEO, MKJ Marketing