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COVID-19 Survey and Funeral Service Survey Available for Free

Thomas A. Parmalee • Jul 14, 2020

eFuneral and Homesteaders Sponsorship Makes Report Available to All

WALL, N.J.– Kates-Boylston Publications recently published a 36-page report examining how COVID-19 has affected funeral service. Due to the generous support of eFuneral and Homesteaders Life Company, the report is available to everyone – for free.


The report, titled “COVID-19 and Funeral Service” examines how the global pandemic has forced funeral professionals to pivot toward technology and change the way they approach preneed. It also examines how firms are navigating restrictions, an increase in livestreaming, the shortage in personal protective equipment and more.


“We continue to hear from our readers how much COVID-19 has affected funeral home operations, and so we reached out to the profession to find out how – and also to learn what they are doing to continue to serve families,” said Allison Sullivan, the longtime publisher of Kates-Boylston Publications. “Almost 250 responded, allowing us to share some great insights on how funeral professionals are navigating the pandemic.”


“There is no way to overstate the impact this health crisis has had on the funeral profession as a whole,” said Steve Shaffer, Homesteaders president and CEO. “This report gives us a better understanding of the scope and scale of that impact, while highlighting the encouraging shifts we’ve seen toward creative problem solving and innovation.” 


“This report is full of helpful insights into the many ways the funeral profession has stepped up with creativity and compassion to serve families throughout this crisis,” observed Luke Frieberg, president of eFuneral. “I hope that the thoughtful digital solutions many have started to offer will be the norm moving forward – rather than the exception – as more and more people become adept at and comfortable with emerging new technology.” 


The report is filled with comments from survey takers, graphs and insights from some of the profession’s thought leaders. It was originally published in two parts in Funeral Service Insider, a weekly electronic newsletter for funeral professionals, and it is now available as a free digital download.


Visit kates-boylston.com/covid-survey to request your copy of the free report.


Contact:

Thomas A. Parmalee

732-746-0201

tparmalee@katesboylston.com
View Original News Release View Report

Response Received from the National Advisory Committee for Immunizations (NACI)

By jgreen • 18 Mar, 2021
FSAC has received a letter from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, confirming that frontline essential workers are recommend to be vaccinated in the 2nd round of vaccinations. Read the full letter below.

L’ASFC élabore un « dossier de soutien à la vaccination » à l'intention des députés

By jgreen • 14 Jan, 2021
L’ASFC élabore un « dossier de soutien à la vaccination » à l'intention des députés

FSAC Develops 'Vaccination Support Package' for Local MPs

By jgreen • 13 Jan, 2021
FSAC Develops 'Vaccination Support Package' for Death Care Workers to Send to Local MPs

Information on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) / Mise à jour : Informations sur maladie à coronavirus

By Kerry Robinson • 07 Jan, 2021
Information on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

FSAC Receives Acknowledgement of Priority Consideration for Vaccine

By jgreen • 08 Dec, 2020
FSAC Receives Acknowledgement of Priority Consideration for Vaccine

National Advisory Committee on Immunization

By Allan Cole • 03 Dec, 2020
December 3 rd , 2020 Dr. Matthew Tunis Executive Secretary, National Advisory Committee on Immunization 130 Colonnade Road Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9 Dear Dr. Tunis, Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, deathcare workers in Canada have worked alongside frontline healthcare workers to ensure that the deceased from the virus are safely dealt with. We have appreciated Health Canada’s and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s support with the provinces to ensure that our sector is supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE) and through other means. However, as news emerges of potential vaccines on the horizon, I am writing you regarding the priority sequence for vaccination. While we encourage frontline healthcare workers who deal with COVID-19 patients on a daily basis to be at the top of the list for vaccinations, we believe because of the risk that our sector takes on that deathcare workers should have priority over the general public. When an individual passes away from COVID-19, the responsibility falls to deathcare workers to ensure that the body is properly dealt with in a safe manner in order to not spread the disease further. Our workers attend the facilities in which the death occurred and interact with staff that have been directly exposed to the virus, which represents an increased risk to the individual. While deathcare workers have been specifically trained to minimize risk through procedural alterations and use of PPE, this does not remove the potential for infection completely. This is why we believe the federal government must work with its provincial counterparts in ensuring that deathcare workers are included in the list of priority for vaccination. The National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) in the U.S. recently released their framework which included deathcare workers in the highest priority phase for vaccine allocation, and we believe Canada should follow suit. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach me at info@fsac.ca . We understand that your office is preoccupied with this situation, and appreciate any time you can give to considering our members. Thank you, Allan Cole President Funeral Service Association of Canada 800-1730 boul. St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON K1G 3Y7 613-505-0277 · info@fsac.ca · www.fsac.ca

FSAC President Requests Priority Sequence for Vaccine

By jgreen • 25 Nov, 2020
FSAC President Requests Priority Sequence for Vaccine

Death Care Professionals Deemed Essential Workers

By jgreen • 25 Nov, 2020
Death Care Professionals Deemed Essential Workers [Letter]

FSAC Provides Letters to Send to MP for CPP Benefit

By jgreen • 05 Jun, 2020
FSAC Writes Letter Template to Local MP's for CPP Benefit

[Press Release]: Significant Financial Losses for Funeral Providers During COVID 19

By jgreen • 27 May, 2020
May 12th, 2020, Ottawa (Ontario) – The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) ran a member survey over the past weeks to gauge the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on funeral providers. 244 members from across Canada responded to the survey, which represents a 6% margin of error on a 95% confidence level. “Funeral providers across Canada have been dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple ways.” began Brett Watson, President of FSAC.“ The survey results are alarming, as they show that 34% of funeral providers in Canada have dealt with COVID-19 related deaths and that 32% have not been able to obtain sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).” Funeral professionals are part of a cross-section of industries that are at the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. When an individual passes away with COVID-19, the profession is called upon to handle the deceased. Without sufficient PPE, these professionals are at a heightened risk of contracting the virus.“ While funeral providers are stepping up in responding to COVID-19, they are also dealing with widespread financial losses. The survey found that 77% have had their revenue negatively impacted, with over 35% having lost more than 30% of their revenue. This represents a significant impact on the industry.” continued Watson. Funeral providers have also had to adapt their practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic and tight restrictions on gatherings. The survey found that 63% are providing live steam video for funerals and ceremonies, while nearly 62% did not provide this service prior to the pandemic. “Our profession is adapting as quickly as we can to the current situation and continuing to serve families who have lost a loved one. While we have been deeply impacted by the current economic situation, we will continue to serve alongside our frontline healthcare workers. With a sufficient amount of PPE, we can also ensure the health and safety of all of those helping.” concluded Watson. -30- The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) is the national association representing funeral homes and professionals from across Canada. Media Contact: Kyle Larkin, FSAC Liaison Telephone: 905-449-9077 Email: kyle@impactcanada.com
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