On April 1, NFDA shared information regarding alternate guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) on embalming COVID-19 cases. On April 3, NFDA learned the CDC stands by its recommendation that pandemic victims can be safely embalmed so long as the funeral professional follows proper safety protocols.

Whether you’re a livestreaming novice or the pandemic has prompted you to experiment with broadcasting services online, our experts will help you understand the kinds of equipment you need and best practices for delivering a quality experience.

As you know, the CDC has issued guidance indicating that embalming confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases is safe, so long as funeral professionals take precautions such as wearing proper PPE and making every possible effort to minimize splashing and aerosolization of fluids. Recently, NFDA found alternate guidance on embalming from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The importance of having a funeral to honor the deceased and giving loved ones an opportunity to celebrate that life and begin to grieve is unquestioned. While NFDA is deeply committed to promoting the value of a funeral, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic requires us to balance our long-held values with the health and safety of the public. Unless a state’s guidelines are more restrictive, NFDA strongly recommends that, until further notice, funerals be limited to no more than 10 of the decedent’s immediate family members.

Because states are adopting “shelter-in-place” or “safer at home” mandates, NFDA has prepared a Certification of Employment document you can show to authorities verifying your status as a critical infrastructure worker.

The Funeral Service Foundation today announces the launch of its COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund, which will help funeral service professionals and organizations working throughout the country who are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. 

Securing PPE continues to be a top priority for NFDA. We are continually petitioning federal officials, 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 for securing PPE for funeral professionals. 

At the request of NFDA and as a followup to the postmortem guidance released by the CDC in late-February, the agency has released specific information about funeral and visitation services to help funeral directors safely care for people who have died of confirmed or suspected COVID-19.