Professional Codes
Code of Ethics
Members of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand and
the individual funeral directors on its register recognise the
responsibilities entrusted to them in their relationships
with:
(a) the bereaved they serve
(b) the public at large
(c) the profession of which they are a part.
Specifically they have agreed:
- To accept as a duty the maintenance of truth, accuracy ,
dignity and good taste.
- To maintain in all matters the highest standards of business,
professional and personal conduct.
- To respect in all circumstances the confidentiality and trust
placed in them by reason of their function and calling.
- To preserve within the bounds of dignity, good taste and
practicality, the right of personal choice and decision-making for
the families they serve, and due regard for the ethnic origin and
spiritual beliefs of the deceased person.
- To maintain qualified and competent personnel with facilities
and equipment adequate to provide a comprehensive funeral
service.
- To provide accurate information concerning the range of
services and merchandise available, the prices of the same, and the
functions and responsibilities accepted on behalf of their
clients.
Code of Professional Conduct
Minimum standard of service offered by a member of the
Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (Inc), and by
those whose names are entered in the Association's Register of
Funeral Directors.
STANDARD of CONDUCT
- In dealings with a client, member firms and funeral directors
will do everything in their power to ensure a standard of conduct
beyond reproach or criticism.
- Member firms and those on the FDANZ Register of Funeral
Directors shall not offer or give reward for recommendations, and
no one should cause or allow any action within a member firm which
by deliberate promotion or other means would be calculated to
attract business unfairly.
- Confidentiality will be preserved at all times and furthermore
the details and/or circumstances regarding the deceased or the
estate of the deceased will not be divulged except as required by
law.
- All funeral directors will be thoroughly conversant with and
abide completely with the laws of the land as they apply to
funerals and to allied industries and professions.
- Funeral directors will always deal fairly and honestly, and
will not intentionally injure the professional reputation or
practice of another funeral director whether a member or not.
FACILITIES
- Members must meet minimum requirements in relation to the
facilities they offer. These include
a. mortuary or holding room
b. viewing room
c. office/interview room
d. work/storage area
e. hearse
- Facilities offered by member firms are subject to the
Association's three yearly inspection.
TRANSFERS
- Transfers of human remains will be carried out with due care
and in a manner which is acceptable to maintain a standard of
decency and hygiene.
- All monies, documents, jewellery or personal property
accompanying the deceased shall be properly recorded.
- Transportation to the church, crematorium, cemetery or any
other place will be done in a manner which befits the occasion and
does credit to the profession. Funeral personnel will be dressed in
a manner that does not detract from the dignity of their
profession.
POLICE TRANSFERS
- Where a transfer to a mortuary is performed at the request of
an outside agency, the funeral director will await further
instructions and will not in any way make the first approach to the
deceased's next of kin.
MORTUARY SERVICES AND EMBALMING
- All human remains shall be prepared to ensure an acceptable and
safe standard of hygiene.
- The funeral director should ensure that the client family's
permission to embalm has been received.
- Where in such instance the act of embalming is expressly
declined during the funeral arrangements, then the funeral director
will for his/her own protection obtain a signed indemnity statement
to that effect.
- Whenever casketed remains are to be transported any distance by
another agency, arterial and cavity embalming should be carried out
before the commencement of the journey.
- The human remains and the casket will be so prepared to ensure
that any liquid or gaseous products of decomposition will not
escape or cause distress
THE CASKET
- The casket will be so prepared that it could be opened at any
time for inspection or viewing, the only exception to this rule
will be when the law, cause, or mode of death makes it illegal or
unwise to do so.
- Other than when required by religious orders, or at the
specific request of a client, the internal furnishings of a casket
will consist of at least a full length waterproof liner, side
drapes, and a pillow or cushion.
BUSINESS NAMES/ENTITIES
- Where a service to the public is offered in any name other than
the true business name of the member, then:
a. Only the member's true telephone number and address should be
used, and
b. The true business name of the member will be shown, preceded by
the words, "an associate of…", or "in association with…"
Further a member will not:
c. Create or operate a 'paper' funeral company, or 'paper' funeral
business for the business of inveigling clients
d. Publicise a company or business as if it were a fully equipped
funeral firm in its own right, when in reality it is a façade for
the true firm's operation.
ADVERTISING
- Members' advertisements will be dignified and in good
taste.
- Any third party endorsement must be authentic and specifically
approved by that third party.
FDANZ MEMBERSHIP
- In the best interests of everyone, members and registered
funeral directors will be loyal to the Association, its aims and
objectives; be active in its work, make every effort to assist the
development and progress of the profession, and willingly share
within the Association the benefits of their experience, and
conduct their business so as to avoid controversy.
- When a member or funeral director is charged with unethical
practices, or actions prejudicial to the good reputation of the
association, that member or funeral director will place all
pertinent facts before the executive of the Association in writing
for investigation and decision.
- Members and registered funeral directors will participate in
continuing education.
PREPAID FUNERAL PLANS
- All Members' prepaid funeral monies must be held
a. in the FDANZ Family Bereavement Plan
b. by a Trustee Corporation (as defined in the Trustee Act 1956 and
amendments); or
c. in a Trust Account
- Members shall comply with the Rules for Client Monies set out
by the Association in the FDANZ Rules and Bylaws.
- Members' prepaid funeral plans will be subject to an annual
audit by a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered
Accountants.
CREMATORIUM OPERATION
- Member firms having control or management of a crematorium must
comply with relevant legislation
a. Have in place a set of protocols and procedures for the
operation of the cremator
b. Control who may attend cremations and the conduct of persons
attending such cremations.
c. Keep a register of Applications for Cremation
d. Have in place a Policy regarding the storage and disposal of
ashes.
STORAGE AND RETURN OF ASHES.
- Member firms will maintain a register for the collection,
storage and return of ashes.
- The firm's policy regarding the storage of ashes will be
clearly conveyed to client families at the arrangement
interview.
ADMINISTRATION
- Member shall make available a written estimate of all funeral
charges and disbursements to be made on a client's behalf at the
time of taking instructions, or as soon as is practicable
thereafter.
- Members should provide a written agreement setting out the
contractual obligations of both parties at the time of taking
instructions or as soon as practicable thereafter.