Home COVID-19 Availability of PPE

Important Advisories

  • Your local and/or state public health officials may be making recommendations for the care of decedents and/or public gatherings that are more stringent than what the CDC and federal government have recommended. In these cases, you should defer to your state and/or local public health officials.
  • The CDC has advised if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. If you are concerned about a potential exposure, this risk assessment for healthcare personnel (HCP) from the CDC may be useful.

Availability of PPE

Due to the high number of orders we have received, FFP2, K95 and Surgical Masks are no longer available.

Updated May 15, 2020

Availability of PPE Continues to be NFDA’s Top Priority

We know the availability of PPE is a critical concern for funeral directors everywhere. Your access to PPE is vital to your ability to continue to safely serve families. NFDA is continually petitioning federal officials – CDC, FEMA, Health and Human Services, the President, Congress, state governors and others – about ensuring funeral home are on the priority list for receiving these critical supplies. We are also exploring private avenues from around the world that can offer PPE to funeral professionals.

Securing PPE continues to be a top priority for NFDA.

NFDA has learned that PPE in the Strategic National Stockpile and PPE being manufactured now are being sent to FEMA, which will distribute it to each state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) based on need. Each state EOC manages requests from entities within its respective state, including deathcare professionals. To place a request for PPE, you’ll need to contact your state’s EOC, which we understand many of you continue to do without reply.

Due to the unprecedented nature of this pandemic, we have observed shortcomings in communication between local, state and federal agencies and funeral homes making requests for PPE at the local or state level are being met with confusion. NFDA will continue to discuss logistics with our federal partners, and suggest you also contact your state association as they are on the front lines at the state level and have been working in conjunction with NFDA to address issues as they arise.

If you become aware of a solid lead for PPE, please contact NFDA at nfda@nfda.org.

We will continue to provide updates on this essential issue.

Other Important Guidance on PPE

PPE Burn Rate Calculator

The CDC has developed a “PPE Burn Rate Calculator” tool to help healthcare and other facilities/businesses estimate how long their remaining supply of PPE will last, based on the average consumption rate. Using the calculator can also help make projections for future needs. The tool is available as both an Excel spreadsheet tool and an app you can use on your mobile device. Click here to learn more and to use the tool.

Urgent Warning on KN95 Masks

In recent weeks, due to shortages of N95 respirators, the FDA approved the use of KN95 and other alternative respirators. However, officials have discovered that counterfeit KN95 respirators have flooded the marketplace. Additionally, some KN95 respirators that were pulled for random testing failed to meet performance standards. 

You should discontinue the use of KN95 and other alternative respirators until you can confirm their authenticity against the FDA’s list of approved alternatives to N95 respirators. You should also verify their performance through fit-testing. 

Supply Vendor List

Note: NFDA does not endorse these companies. This list is simply being provided for the convenience of funeral professionals.

Download COVID-19 Supply Vendor List