May 2023

Page A41 MAY 2023 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Section A by KNAUER INDUSTRIES July 21–26, 2023 Emory Conference Center Hotel Atlanta, Georgia iccfa.com/university ICCFA University is a one of a kind educational event that blends practical classroom learning with continuous idea sharing. Choose from one of eight colleges taught by experts within deathcare, then spend a week learning and networking with fellow students. Experience the U for yourself by registering today! EXPERIENCE ICCFA FOR YOURSELF! tations, and dignity to maintain confidentiality for our families. A funeral director maintains integrity and competence to increase confidence in our families with an adherence to public health/safety. Having high standards and a proper education, we can conduct proper business practices while being in compliance with all federal/state laws, rules, and regulations. Professionalism extends to all members to cooperate and fulfill the needs of our families in a competent manner without dishonesty and/or unethical practices. A Code of Ethics is paramount and must be followed to protect those we serve in good faith and by definition of what a funeral director, mortician, and undertaker is.” Slone states, “Professional standards are important to public protection because they provide a guideline for funeral directors and funeral service providers to adhere to when servicing families. Professional standards in the funeral service industry outline the quality of care that families are expected to receive. These standards provide families with protection from being treated unethically and immorally. By setting standards surrounding the quality of care for families, we are protecting families from being treated with behaviors that render unprofessional or inappropriate in the funeral setting.” “Professional standards are also important to ensure public protection in the funeral service industry because they NEWS Educational CONTINUED Harvey Leavitt, III NBE Scholarships Awarded include the universal precautions taken when handling the deceased body. These standards ensure that funeral directors are treating deceased bodies as if they are dangerous in order to ensure proper disinfection and sanitation. This standard protects the public from possible contamination,” says Slone. Stocker says, “The Funeral Industry is unique in that those who serve it are put in charge of maintaining an aura of empathetic professionalism. A type of professionalism that is a perfect balance of natural and learned. Serving the community and family members after a loss comes with a level of care that is higher than typical in the service industry. The NBE alongside the ABFSE and most state’s individual licensing processes, all work diligently to create a safe environment for both employees and consumers within a funeral home.” “Everything from improper work safety practices, to understanding the complex emotions that result from loss, the implementation of standardized curriculum, and active apprentice or internship periods helps to better prepare mortuary science students and aspiring funeral directors for the real world they will be working in. Professionalism is a show of how we keep our communities safe, and how we serve them properly,” says Stocker. Wadley says, “Professional standards ensure that we are accountable for our decisions, actions and for, maintaining a certain degree of competency during one’s career. The exam reflects on current practice in funeral services and assesses a candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform their professional duties according to a national standard. The publics protection is one of our top priorities, considering families are trusting us at a very vulnerable time in their lives. The National Board Exam is designed to guarantee funeral service professionals are knowledgeable enough to represent the profession in an appropriate manner. Standards allow us to make ethical and professional decisions in the industry and with the people we serve.” Harvey Hamilton Leavitt, III volunteered on The Conference’s National Board Examination Committee for twenty-two years. He was a dedicated funeral director and embalmer from Wadesboro, NC where he owned and operated Leavitt Funeral Home, established in 1914, as a third-generation funeral practitioner. Harvey defined professionalism, was an eternal optimist and his volunteer spirit was catching. He will be remembered for his honesty, integrity and generosity of time and talent. In 2023 the board of directors officially named the National Board Examination Scholarship program in his memory. The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards is headquartered in Fayetteville, AR. Founded in 1904, the membership of The Conference is composed of funeral service licensing boards and regulatory agencies throughout the United States and Canada. For more information on The Conference, visit www.theconferenceonline.org. Continued from Page A40 Send Us Your News! We welcome news of the industry. info@NomisPublications.com PO Box 5159, Youngstown, OH 44514 CALL 1-800-321-7479 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS

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