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

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:29:11 GMT

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

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 20:38:26 GMT

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

L’ASFC a été en communication régulière avec Sécurité publique Canada et d'autres représentants du gouvernement fédéral au nom des travailleurs des services funéraires. Vous trouverez ci-joint des détails sur ces communications. Le dossier téléchargeable comprend une copie de toutes les communications et une lettre pré-écrite que les entreprises funéraires peuvent envoyer à leur député local.

Après avoir reçu de nombreux courriels de l’ASFC, Sécurité publique Canada a considéré les travailleurs des services funéraires comme des « travailleurs essentiels ». C'était la première étape d'une grande victoire ! Suite à cette désignation, l’ASFC a écrit à la ministre de la Santé et au Comité consultatif national de l'immunisation (CCNI) pour demander qu'en tant que travailleurs essentiels, les travailleurs des services funéraires reçoivent la vaccination prioritaire COVID-19. Le 8 décembre 2020, le CCNI a reconnu que les travailleurs des services funéraires devraient être pris en compte dans la phase 2 du vaccin.

Avec une désignation fédérale de « services essentiels »" et une reconnaissance de vaccination prioritaire, le CCNI a rapidement passé à la vitesse supérieure pour soutenir les associations provinciales où le vaccin serait administré.

L’ASFC a mis au point un dossier téléchargeable comprenant toutes les communications avec les organismes du gouvernement fédéral qui nous ont permis d'en arriver là. Nous espérons que les firmes du secteur funéraire canadien enverront ce dossier à leur député local pour soutenir les efforts de leur association provinciale dans la confirmation de la phase 2 de la vaccination de tous les travailleurs des services funéraires. Vous pouvez télécharger ce paquet ci-dessous.

Une fois que vous aurez personnalisé votre lettre (au début), vous pourrez sauvegarder le dossier en format PDF et l'envoyer à votre député local. Si vous avez des questions ou si vous avez besoin d'aide, veuillez contacter Diane Hull à : diane@fsac.ca ou au 1-888-507-3722.

FSAC Develops 'Vaccination Support Package' for Local MPs

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 20:42:05 GMT

FSAC Develops 'Vaccination Support Package' for Death Care Workers to Send to Local MPs

FSAC has been in regular communication with the Public Safety Canada and Other Federal Government Officials on behalf of death care workers. Enclosed are details about these communications. The downloadable package includes a copy of all communication and a pre-written letter for funeral businesses to send to their local MPs.

After receiving numerous emails from FSAC, Public Safety Canada deemed death care workers as 'essential workers'. This was the first step in a great victory! Following this designation, FSAC wrote the Minister of Health and the National Advisory Committee of Immunization (NACI) to request that as essential workers, death care workers specifically receive priority COVID-19 vaccination. On December 8, 2020 NACI acknowledged that death care workers should be considered in stage 2 of vaccine.

With a federal 'essential status' designation and a priority vaccination acknowledgement, FSAC quickly shifted gears to support the provincial associations where the vaccine would be administered. As we write this today on January 13, 2021, two provincial associations have received verbal confirmation that the death care workers in their province will in fact be included in the phase two vaccination rollout.

FSAC has put together a downloadable package including all communication with federal organization that got us to this point. Our hope is that Canadian funeral homes will send this to their local MP to support their provincial association's efforts in confirming a phase 2 vaccination for all death care workers. You can download this package below.

Once you have personalized your letter (at beginning), you can save the package as a PDF and send this to your local MP. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Diane Hull at diane@fsac.ca or at 1-888-507-3722.

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

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 22:11:27 GMT

Information on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

There are a number of updated resources available on our website for the public, as well as for health professionals, including our Outbreak Update and the COVID-19 Virtual Assistant : Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) . Your organization may also be interested in:

NEW! COVID-19 pre-departure testing and Transport Canada’s Interim Order
UPDATED! Lists of Acts and Regulations - OIC 38 - Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States)
Authorization of Bamlanivimab with English-only Labels for Use in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19: Compassionate entry for travellers and limited release from quarantine
Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada
Help for ArriveCAN (cross border students information to non-exempt section)

Vaccines

Rapid Reviews and Evidence Briefs

Evidence Brief of COVID-19 quarantine length reduction strategies and effectiveness, Update 1 (Available upon request)

Recalls and Safety Alerts

UPDATED! Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel restrictions, exemptions and advice

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Guidance documents
For Health Professionals
UPDATED! Public health management of cases and contacts associated with COVID-19
Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccine(s)
Guidance on the prioritization of initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine(s)
For Health sector preparation
Planning guidance for administration of COVID-19 vaccine
Planning guidance for immunization clinics for COVID-19 vaccines

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Awareness resources

On behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada, thank you for your organization’s support in sharing credible information and guidance on Coronavirus to a range of professionals and the public. We greatly appreciate your efforts.

Email address: phac.hpoc.stakeholders-partiesprenantes.cops.aspc@canada.ca

We will be highlighting our new materials and messaging across our social platforms (below), and encourage you to share and amplify. The latest information and the status of measures in Canada are posted on Canada.ca/coronavirus or available to the public through the Coronavirus Information Line (1-833-784-4397). The website is available in English, French and simplified Chinese.

ENGLISH

Facebook: Healthy Canadians

Facebook: Travel Advice from the Government of Canada

Twitter: @TravelGoC

Twitter: @GovCanHealth

Twitter: @CPHO_Canada

LinkedIn: Public Health Agency of Canada

Mise à jour : Informations sur maladie à coronavirus

Il y a un certain nombre de ressources mises à jour disponibles sur notre site Web pour le public, ainsi que pour les professionnels de la santé, y compris notre Mise à jour sur l’éclosion et la assistant virtuel COVID-19: Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) . Ce qui suit peut également présenter un intérêt pour votre organisation:

NOUVEAU! Dépistage de la COVID-19 avant l’embarquement et arrêté de Transports Canada
MISE À JOUR! Liste des lois et règlements - C.P. 38 - Décret visant la réduction du risque d'exposition à la COVID-19 au Canada (interdiction d'entrée au Canada en provenance des États-Unis)
Autorisation du bamlanivimab doté d'un étiquetage unilingue anglophone pour l'utilisation relative à la pandémie de COVID-19
COVID-19 : Entrée de voyageurs pour des raisons humanitaires et levée limitée de la mise en quarantaine
Utilisez ArriveCAN pour entrer au Canada
Aide pour ArriveCAN (information des étudiants transfrontaliers à la section non dispensée)

Vaccin

Revues rapides de données probantes sur la COVID-19

Evidence Brief of COVID-19 quarantine length reduction strategies and effectiveness, Update 1 (Seulement en Anglais - Revue disponible sur demande)

Rappels et avis de sécurité

MISE À JOUR! Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) : Restrictions, exemptions et conseils en matière de voyages

Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) : Document d'orientation
Professionnels de la santé
MISE À JOUR! Prise en charge par la santé publique des cas de COVID-19 et des contacts qui y sont associés
Recommandations sur l’utilisation des vaccins contre la COVID-19
Orientations sur l’administration prioritaire des premières doses du vaccin contre la COVID-19
Préparation du secteur de la santé
Guide de planification pour l’administration des vaccins contre la COVID-19
Guide de planification des cliniques de vaccination contre la COVID-19

Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) : Ressources de sensibilisation

Au nom de l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada, nous vous remercions pour le soutien de votre organisation en vue de partager des renseignements et directives crédibles sur le coronavirus à une gamme de professionnels et au public. Nous apprécions grandement vos efforts.

L’adresse de courriel: phac.hpoc.stakeholders-partiesprenantes.cops.aspc@canada.ca

Nous soulignerons nos nouveaux documents et messages sur nos plateformes sociales (ci-dessous) et vous encouragerons à les partager et à les renforcer. Les renseignements les plus récents et l’état des mesures au Canada sont publiés sur le site Canada.ca/coronavirus, et sont accessibles au public par l’entremise de la Ligne d’information sur le coronavirus (COVID-19) (1-833-784-4397). Le site Web est disponible en anglais, en français et en chinois simplifié.

FRANÇAIS

Facebook: Canadiens en santé

Facebook: Conseils du gouvernement du Canada à l’intention des voyageurs

Twitter: @VoyageGdC

Twitter: @GouvCanSante

Twitter: @ACSP_Canada

LinkedIn: Agence de la santé publique du Canada

FSAC Receives Acknowledgement of Priority Consideration for Vaccine

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 18:53:19 GMT

FSAC Receives Acknowledgement of Priority Consideration for Vaccine

FSAC has just achieved recognition from the Federal Government that Bereavement Sector workers should be considered in the 2nd round of vaccinations as essential workers.

According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Statement:

Guidance on the prioritization of initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine(s)

Canada’s National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure defines critical infrastructure as the processes, systems, facilities, technologies, networks, assets, and services essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of Canadians and the effective functioning of government. Deathcare workers would come in Stage 2 of vaccine delivery, after long-term care homes, 70+ seniors, healthcare workers, and some indigenous communities. Funeral service workers achieved essential service status as Workers performing mortuary services, including funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemetery workers under Public Safety Ministry guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This is a federal recommendation and now the Provincial Authorities must be requested to follow the guidance and create their vaccine protocols and priority lists for their citizens, workers and sectors. This is a great first step on behalf of our great profession, having laid the foundation for such a discussion at all levels.

Learn more here the National Structure for Critical Infrastructure here .

Learn more the Guidance on the prioritization of initial doses of COVID-19 vaccines here .

Learn more about Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic here .

National Advisory Committee on Immunization

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 20:40:26 GMT

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

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:40:59 GMT

FSAC President Requests Priority Sequence for Vaccine

"On April 2, 2020, in response to the issue of variations in exemptions provided for critical infrastructure and essential services in Provincial and Territorial emergency orders, the Government of Canada released the Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The guidance assists various jurisdictions and

businesses in their decision-making around the types of employees considered essential to maintain the health, safety, security and economic well-being of Canadians throughout this health crisis."

Read the full letter below:

Death Care Professionals Deemed Essential Workers

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 20:38:44 GMT

Death Care Professionals Deemed Essential Workers [Letter]

Following letter from FSAC, Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemetery workers have been designated as essential workers in Canada's response to COVID-19.

Read the full letter below:

COVID-19 Survey and Funeral Service Survey Available for Free

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 17:47:33 GMT

eFuneral and Homesteaders Sponsorship Makes Report Available to All

FSAC Provides Letters to Send to MP for CPP Benefit

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 19:53:26 GMT

FSAC Writes Letter Template to Local MP's for CPP Benefit

Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit

Many Canadian families rely on the Death Benefit to assist with paying funeral and cemetery costs at the time of need. It allows them to give a final tribute that celebrates and honours the deceased in a way that is fitting for that individual, their family and their cultural and religious beliefs. The current maximum death benefit rate of $2,500* does not even come close to meeting end of life expenses.

Restore the 1997 CPP Death Benefit rate to $3,580.00
Apply an annual index to the CPP Death Benefit to keep pace with inflation and;
Provide a mechanism for Canadians to assign the CPP Death Benefit to licensed funeral service providers to offset funeral expenses and reduce unnecessary administration costs.
A recent poll conducted by the Funeral Service Association of Canada found that the average cost of a funeral service was $6,000. The average cost is inclusive of fulfilling basic legal requirements upon death and services related to conducting bereavement rights and ceremonies befitting to an individuals cultural and religious beliefs. The cost does not include other provisions such as a casket, cemetery lot, crematorium fee, urn, or other items depending upon the services requested.

Supporting dignified funeral services for Canadians - the CPP death benefit has lost 37.8% of its value over the past two decades. Write your MP: English Form | French Form

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

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Wed, 27 May 2020 16:58:00 GMT

Significant Financial Losses for Funeral Providers During COVID 19

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

Help measure the impact of COVID-19 on health of Funeral Service Workers in Canada

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Tue, 26 May 2020 16:40:59 GMT

Funeral Service Workers and COVID-19

Preventive Medicine at the University of Alberta is conducting a study to help determine the impact of working during the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian Funeral Service Workers. We invite you to take part. Participation is entirely voluntary.

The questionnaires are provided either in English or in French. To access the French version, please scroll down and access the link provided in the French version of this text.

Thank you for spreading the information to your collaborators and coworkers involved in Funeral Service.

Questions?

The university's research team welcomes any questions about this study: contact them by email ( FSWstudy@ualberta.ca ). The chance to ask questions is an important part of informed consent and you will be asked to acknowledge that you had this opportunity before moving on to the study's questionnaire.

Sign up today

Please use the button below to access more information, the consent forms and the online questionnaire in English (English version).

The information you give will be confidential to the research team. This study has ethical approval from the University of Alberta (Pro00100671).

Travailleurs des services funéraires et COVID-19

La division de Médecine Préventive de l’Université de l’Alberta conduit une étude pour mieux comprendre les conséquences professionnelles de la pandémie à COVID-19 chez les travailleurs des services funéraires. Nous vous invitons à participer. La participation est entièrement volontaire.

Les questionnaires sont disponibles en français ou en anglais.

Nous vous remercions de diffuser également cette information auprès de vos collaborateurs et collègues impliqués dans les services funéraires.

Des questions?

L’équipe de recherche de l’université se tient prête à répondre à vos questions concernant cette étude. Contactez-les par courriel ( FSWstudy@ualberta.ca ). Il est important que vous puissiez poser vos questions pour pouvoir donner votre consentement éclairé. Nous vous demanderons de confirmer que vous avez bien eu cette opportunité avant de remplir le questionnaire de l’étude.

Enregistrez-vous dès maintenant

Merci de cliquer ci-dessous pour obtenir plus de renseignements, la lettre d’information et le questionnaire en ligne.

Si vous préférez remplir un questionnaire en anglais, merci de cliquer sur le lien fourni dans le texte écrit en anglais plus haut.

Les renseignements que vous fournirez sont tenus confidentiellement par l’équipe de recherche. L’étude a reçu l’autorisation du comité d’éthique de l’université de l’Alberta (Pro00100671).

FSAC Provides Local MP & Health Letter Templates for Funeral Professionals

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 20:53:34 GMT

FSAC Provides Local MP & Health Letter Templates for Funeral Professionals to Send to Local Officials

Following the recent FSAC accomplishment of Canadian funeral professionals being deemed federally essential , we have prepared a few templates for funeral professionals to use in their individual provinces to assist with gaining access to PPE and work closely with local health care professionals:

TEMPLATE #1:
How to Send a Letter to your Local Member of Parliament

The following instructions are to send a letter to your local Member of Parliament. To send a letter to your provincial elected official, simply Google their name or constituency to find their email address, and send them a copy too. Your provincial association may be able to assist you in finding your local representative.

>> Download Instructions Here

TEMPLATE #2:
Letter Template for Your Local Member of Parliament

" Dear [Name],

I am writing you today as a funeral professional and a constituent of yours. As you probably know, our profession continues to serve during these unprecedented times. We have been deemed an essential service by the majority of provinces and the federal government due to our critical role in supporting frontline healthcare workers with the deceased of COVID-19. Furthermore, we also continue to provide services to grieving families in every part of the country..."

>> Download the MP Letter Template Here

TEMPLATE #3:
Letter Template to Work with Your Local Health Care Professionals

" Dear [Name],

...We are looking for your assistance on keeping the lines of communication open during this pandemic. This will make sure that we can continue to work together in supporting the communities that we serve. However, like many other professions, we have a pressing need for PPE to ensure the health and safety of our workers. In order to continue supporting families, we require the necessary PPE when dealing with the deceased as our workers are at a heightened risk for exposure to the virus. Funeral professionals understand the critical role they play, and how their responsibility in a pandemic supports public health...."

>> Download the Letter to Local Health Care Professionals Template Here

If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Diane Hull, FSAC Executive Director at diane@fsac.ca or at 1-613-505-0277.

Funeral Directors Deemed Federally Essential Following FSAC Letter to Government

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 20:32:27 GMT

Funeral Directors Deemed Federally Essential

April 13th , 2020, Ottawa (Ontario)

On April 2nd , Public Safety Canada released their Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Following a letter from the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC), the guidance included “workers performing mortuary services, including funeral homes, crematoriums and cemetery workers.”

"Acknowledgement by the government of our important work will allow us to continue to serve the communities in which we live and deliver dignified funerals to loved ones.” stated Brett Watson, President of FSAC. “This is also a realization that funeral professionals are at the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be ready to support governments in their response.”

In the majority of provincial lists of essential services, funeral professionals have been included as they are called upon during times of mass fatalities. Funeral workers are necessary in all aspects of dealing with the deceased after they are released from healthcare facilities.

“Funeral professionals are already working with governments within their jurisdictions to ensure that those who have passed away from COVID-19 are respectfully and properly handled. These frontline workers are essential, but also require the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure they remain safe and healthy. They leave the safety and comfort of their homes and families every day to continue to support thousands of Canadians” continued Watson.

While there continues to be shortages of PPE throughout Canada, all frontline workers including funeral professionals, who play an important role in public health, require the equipment in order to be able to continue to serve their communities. Funeral professionals understand the critical role they play, and how their responsibility in a pandemic supports public health.

“We are calling on all levels of government to make sure that funeral professionals receive the necessary PPE. While our frontline healthcare professionals should continue to be the number one priority in receiving the necessary PPE they require, funeral workers should also be a priority due to the higher risk they face.” concluded Watson.

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

IMPORTANT:
FSAC Provides Local MP & Health Letter Templates for Funeral Professionals Following Federally Essential Designation: https://www.fsac.ca/fsac-provides-local-mp-health-letter-templates-for-funeral-professionals-to-send

FSAC Board Director, Jayson Gordon Featured in Globe & Mail Article

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:31:05 GMT

Below is a copy of the original article from the Globe & Mail, which can be seen here .

‘Plan for the worst and hope for the best’: Canada’s funeral industry in upheaval as coronavirus deaths mount

Contingency plans are being made across the country to avoid the fate of places like New York, where mass graves on public land are being considered to accommodate the deceased.

In urban centres across the country, crematoriums are preparing to operate 24/7 if needed, cemeteries are taking stock of available land, funeral homes are renting out refrigerated vehicles and officials are drawing up worst-case scenario plans to use arenas as temporary morgues if necessary.

All of this is to avoid the fate of places such as New York, where decision makers are contemplating digging temporary mass graves on public land as city morgues are overwhelmed. So far, more than 4,000 New Yorkers have succumbed to the virus.

In Toronto, contingency plans include looking at existing municipal facilities that could serve as morgues – such as ice rinks, because of their size and ability to maintain cool temperatures – and procuring enough vehicles and drivers to transport bodies.

“These are discussions that none of us like to have … but [we] put the contingency plans in place regardless of how difficult or uncomfortable they are,” said Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, who heads the city’s Office of Emergency Management.

The federal government has yet to release its projections for how many deaths the country can expect during the outbreak, but last week Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the country’s most populous province is bracing itself for between 3,000 and 15,000 fatalities over the next two years. In Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney said between 400 and 3,100 people could die from the virus. And public health officials in Quebec say that their modelling indicates at least 1,263 people will die from COVID-19 by the end of this month.

These are daunting numbers for Montreal funeral director Bridget Fetterly.

“I hit a low point five minutes ago,” she said Tuesday afternoon – day 27 of the pandemic. “I’ve been working seven days a week more than 12 hours a day for –,” she can’t remember how many days in a row.

Just as the virus has pushed Canada’s health-care system to the brink, the country’s bereavement sector is also feeling the strain. Rules and protocols around transport, funerals and “disposition” of the body – such as burial or cremation, change daily. Ms. Fetterly has had to reorganize her staff into two teams that don’t interact, so that if someone gets sick the whole operation doesn’t need to close.

So far, the Kane Fetterly funeral home has handled three confirmed COVID-19 cases. In these instances, the deceased were cremated immediately and no service was held. But the implications of the virus spread beyond those specific deaths.

Regular funeral services are more complicated now. No more than 10 mourners are allowed to congregate at a time and guests must maintain two metres of distance. These new rules are in place to prevent a situation like what happened in Newfoundland, where at least 167 cases have been linked to a single funeral home in St. John’s.

There are other practical challenges, like the fact that Kane Fetterly’s primary crematorium temporarily shut down this week after staff members tested positive for the coronavirus. Ms. Fetterly was able to make other arrangements, but these types of setbacks are becoming commonplace.

In 2009, the year of the H1N1 outbreak, the federal government prepared a plan to be used in the event of mass fatalities as a result of a pandemic flu. The document includes considerations around cemetery space, additional grave digger staff and recommendations for what happens if the bereavement sector is overwhelmed. “If local funeral directors are unable to handle the increased numbers of deceased and their funerals, it will be the responsibility of municipalities to make appropriate arrangements,” it states.

David Brazeau, the communications manager with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, said that’s not going to happen in the province, because the industry has been taking steps to avoid this for weeks.

“Arenas being used – that is not at risk of happening in Ontario … as the regulator, we’re instructing our licensees not to – and I’ll put this starkly – stockpile bodies,” Mr. Brazeau said.

Families are being encouraged to proceed with disposition, meaning burials or cremation, as soon as possible, and the regulator is strongly discouraging embalming, which also uses valuable protective gear.

Rick Cowan, the assistant vice president of marketing communications for the Mount Pleasant Group, said the regulator was very clear that it did not want to see a New York City scenario happen in Ontario.

“So, the challenge was put out to the funeral and cemetery industry: What do you have to change in your system, your process, to ensure we don’t have that situation,” Mr. Cowan said.

For his company, which owns and operates 10 cemeteries, nine funeral establishments and four cremation centres in the Greater Toronto Area, that means retooling staff models in the event that they need to operate the crematoriums at all hours of the day. Mr. Cowan added that they aren’t concerned about running out of burial space.

Similar conversations are happening across the country.

Jayson Gordon, the British Columbia representative with Funeral Service Association of Canada, said funeral homes are focused on finding additional capacity, including portable refrigerated storage and utilizing existing space that may have been decommissioned.

In Alberta, equipment is one the sector’s most pressing concerns, said Tyler Weber, the president of the Alberta Funeral Service Association. Already funeral homes are starting to report shortages of N95 respirator masks, hand sanitizer and body bags, he said. And because they are a lower priority than health-care workers, funeral homes don’t have the ability to order new stock. They have been able to access small amounts of protective gear through the province, but this not a long-term solution.

“We are a key stakeholder in this fight against the transmission of COVID-19 that is often overlooked,” Mr. Weber said.

(The Globe reached out to other large Canadian cities – including Vancouver, Winnipeg and Montreal – to discuss pandemic preparedness and in each was told to contact the province.)

So far, Quebec has been the province hardest hit by COVID-19, with more than 10,000 cases record as of Wednesday. At a news conference on Tuesday, officials announced that under their most pessimistic modelling, the province could expect nearly 9,000 deaths in total.

But David Scott, the executive director of Mount Royal Commemorative Services, which operates three cemeteries and four funeral homes in Montreal, said he thinks the sector will cope.

“My job is to try and anticipate when we will approach an area where our capacity starts to get stretched. We’re not there yet,” Mr. Scott said. “Certainly, in our organization, we have the capacity to deal with a more significant case load if necessary.”

Mount Royal Commemorative Services prepared a pandemic plan back in 2009 during H1N1.

“We hauled it out in early January and have been building off of that for what we’re doing now [with COVID-19],” Mr. Scott said.

Their plan spells out steps for each stage of an outbreak. When COVID-19 was first identified in China, it activated the first phase of their pandemic protocol, which triggered weekly check-ins on the situation among the executive team. After the virus touched Canadian soil, it moved to the next level. Work done at this stage included becoming familiar with the type of contagion they were dealing with, so steps could be taken to protect staff from infection. Next the organization checked in with suppliers and assessed its inventory. Did it have enough protective gear? Cleaning products? Caskets?

So far, things have been running smoothly and the organization has the ability to ramp up cremations and burials if needed.

“Our job is to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” he said.

FSAC's COVID-19 Press Release Featured in 4 Major Canadian Newspapers

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:54:24 GMT

Reposted from Toronto Sun , Ottawa Sun, Calgary Sun, and Sudbury Star

The Funeral Service Association of Canada says it is ready to serve during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Our members, who are funeral professionals located across Canada, are doing their best to serve the needs of the communities they serve during this pandemic,” said Brett Watson, president of the FSAC.

“We want to reassure Canadians that we continue to support grieving families and that their loved ones are still able to receive dignified funerals.”

Recommendations by the federal government and provincial governments to work from home and self-isolate does impact funeral providers, but the profession continues to operate.

Watson said funerals continue to take place with smaller gatherings limited to immediate family and with limited interaction between mourners.

All physical contact is discouraged.

“Unfortunately, Canada has seen its first deaths in several provinces due to COVID-19,” Watson said. “Funeral professionals are on the frontline of dealing with the deceased of this virus, and while we stand ready to serve, the health and safety of our professionals must be considered.”

Personal Protective Equipment is required for funeral providers to handle the deceased in a safe and sanitary way.

Gloves, masks and gowns are all part of the required protocols for routine practices and there are additional precautions for mortuary care.

Community and Public Health depends on the safe and sanitary handling of deceased persons.

Difficulty obtaining Personal Protective Equipment impacts funeral workers too, potentially impeding their ability to serve the needs of their communities.

“Although some provinces have designated death care professionals including funeral, crematorium and cemetery workers as essential, but others have not, we are calling on all governments to take the necessary actions to make funeral professionals an essential service and provide them with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment in order to allow them to continue to perform their duties,” Watson said.

“Our members are ready to continue serving their communities with the right government framework in place.”

As of Thursday morning, there were 818 COVID-19 cases in Toronto with 19 deaths. In Ontario, there has 2,392 cases with 37 deaths. And nationally, there have been 9,731 cases and 111 deaths.

Funeral Providers Stand Ready to Serve

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 23:09:54 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Funeral Providers Stand Ready to Serve

March 30th, 2020, Ottawa (Ontario) – The President of the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC), Brett Watson, made an announcement today on behalf of funeral professionals across Canada.

“Our members, who are funeral professionals located across Canada, are doing their best to serve the needs of the communities they serve during this pandemic. We want to reassure Canadians that we continue to support grieving families and that their loved ones are still able to receive dignified funerals.” Stated Watson.

Recommendations by the federal government and provincial governments to work from home and self-isolate does impact funeral providers, but the profession continues to do their best to serve their communities. Funerals continue to take place with smaller gatherings limited to immediate family and limited interaction with mourners. All physical contact is discouraged while this situation unfolds.

“Unfortunately, over the last week, Canada has seen it’s first deaths in several provinces due to COVID-19. Funeral professionals are on the front-line of dealing with the deceased of this virus, and while we stand ready to serve, the health and safety of our professionals must be considered.” Continued Watson.

Personal Protective Equipment is required for funeral professionals to safely handle deceased in a safe and sanitary way. Gloves, masks, gowns are all part of the required protocols for routine practices and additional precautions for mortuary care. Community and Public Health depends on the safe and sanitary handling of deceased persons. Difficulty obtaining Personal Protective Equipment impacts funeral workers too and potentially impedes their ability to serve the needs of their communities.

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

--- FRANCAIS ---

PUBLICATION IMMÉDIATE

Les fournisseurs de services funéraires prêts à servir

Le 30 mars 2020, Ottawa (Ontario) – Le président de l’Association funéraire du Canada (ASFC), Brett Watson, a fait une annonce aujourd’hui au nom des professionnels des services funéraires du Canada.

« Nos membres, des professionnels de partout au Canada, font de leur mieux pour répondre aux besoins des collectivités où ils travaillent pendant cette pandémie. Nous voulons rassurer les Canadiens pour qu’ils sachent que nous continuons à soutenir les familles en deuil et à offrir à leurs êtres chers les funérailles empreintes de dignité auxquelles ils ont droit », a indiqué M. Watson.

Les recommandations faites par les gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux demandant à la population de travailler de la maison et de s’isoler volontairement ont un impact sur les fournisseurs de services funéraires, mais nos professionnels continuent de faire tout leur possible pour servir leurs collectivités. Les funérailles ont toujours lieu, mais avec des groupes restreints qui se limitent aux membres de la famille immédiate, auxquels nous demandons d’interagir de façon limitée avec les personnes endeuillées. Les limites imposées par le gouvernement provincial sur les rassemblements sont rigoureusement respectées, tout comme la règle de distanciation sociale. Tout contact physique est à proscrire tant que cette situation ne sera pas réglée.

« Malheureusement, au cours des dernières semaines, le Canada a enregistré les premiers décès dus à la COVID-19 dans différentes provinces. Les professionnels des services funéraires sont en première ligne pour s’occuper des personnes décédées du virus et, bien que nous soyons prêts à répondre aux besoins, il faut tenir compte de la santé et de la sécurité de nos professionnels », a poursuivi M. Watson.

Les professionnels des services funéraires doivent porter l’équipement de protection individuelle afin de manipuler en toute sécurité et de façon hygiénique les dépouilles des personnes décédées. Le port de gants, de masques, de sarraus fait partie des protocoles exigés pour les tâches habituelles, et des précautions supplémentaires doivent être prises pour la préparation des corps des défunts. La santé communautaire et publique dépend de la manipulation sécuritaire et hygiénique des personnes décédées. La difficulté d’obtenir de l’équipement de protection individuelle a aussi un impact sur les travailleurs des services funéraires et peut les empêcher de répondre aux besoins de leurs collectivités.

« Même si certaines provinces ont classifié comme essentiels les professionnels des services funéraires, incluant les opérateurs de crématoriums et les travailleurs de cimetière, nous demandons à tous les gouvernements de prendre les mesures nécessaires pour reconnaître que les professionnels des services funéraires font partie intégrante de nos infrastructures essentielles et de leur fournir l’équipement de protection individuelle nécessaire pour qu’ils puissent continuer à accomplir leurs tâches. Nos membres sont prêts à servir leurs collectivités moyennant un encadrement approprié de la part des gouvernements », observait M. Watson en conclusion.

-30-

L’Association des services funéraires du Canada (ASFC) est l’association nationale qui représente les salons funéraires et les professionnels des services funéraires de partout au Canada.

Contact média :

Kyle Larkin, agent de liaison pour l’ASFC

Téléphone : 905-449-9077 Courriel : kyle@impactcanada.com

Bodies Found Stored In Conference Rooms As Ottawa Morgues Overflow

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 23:52:11 GMT

Cadavers have been left in unusual places at hospitals in Ottawa.

OTTAWA — Lou Burri says a body stored in a hospital conference room first set an alarm bell ringing in his head last October.

The hospital denies that happened, but the union leader at the Ottawa Hospital says his members have kept encountering cadavers in unexpected parts of its buildings, because there are more bodies than the hospital can contain in its morgues.

Burri said the issue has grown as the hospital’s infrastructure is stretched further beyond capacity, with no evident way to clear the overflow.

“I’ve been talking to senior management at the Ottawa Hospital and they’re not happy that this is going on. They don’t have the money to do anything — it’s all funding, everything’s funding,” Burri said.

“It is a black eye for the Ottawa Hospital, for sure. They strive on being health care leaders and it’s unfortunate this is happening, but maybe this will light a fire on trying to get some stuff resolved for them.”

The hospital has two major campuses and is the largest health institution in the capital.

In a statement, the hospital said bodies had to be placed outside morgues during “an extraordinary period in December.” Space once used for autopsies has been converted to manage the “unexpected surges in demand,” the statement said, adding that conference rooms aren’t used to house bodies.

The Ottawa Hospital suggested its experience was not unique: “Because of the growing aging population, the shortage of morgue spaces is a challenge for many hospitals across the province.”

In Vancouver, the opioid epidemic has put a strain on resources. In Alberta, the province’s chief medical examiner had to rent a refrigerated trailer last year after an Edmonton morgue reached capacity.

It’s not going to get better. In fact, it’s going to get worse with an aging population.

In Ontario, the provincial auditor general flagged the issue in her most recent report in early December. Bonnie Lysyk noted that one hospital in the province kept bodies in hallways, or in body bags ``sometimes stored side by side or on top of each other in storage spaces″ because it had nowhere else to put them.

“It’s not going to get better. In fact, it’s going to get worse with an aging population,” said Allan Cole, vice-president of the Funeral Services Association of Canada.

Ottawa’s hospitals conduct autopsies on many people who die in and around the region and bodies can sit for weeks or longer before they are claimed, if they are claimed at all.

Ontario’s chief coroner reported in June that there were 473 unclaimed bodies in 2018, an increase from the 401 in 2017. The office attributed that rise to better figures from a centralized tracking system. Figures for 2019 are not yet available.

The claiming process can be relatively fast for someone who dies in hospital _ a funeral home often takes charge of a body almost right away _ but can take longer if an autopsy is required or a body is brought in from the surrounding community.

“Usually people claim _ the families and others claim the body soon after the autopsy is completed,” said Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, the regional supervising coroner in Ottawa.

“And there is the other group where somebody passes away in the community and the body has to be stored until family is found, or next-of-kin is found.”

A difficult search for a next-of-kin involves police and checks of financial records, required under provincial law. When that fails, municipalities become responsible for burials.

In the meantime, the unclaimed bodies take up space in hospitals. McNaughton-Filion said each hospital usually has its own morgue, but the type and size can vary.

Down the highway from Ottawa is another regional centre in Kingston, Ont.

Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s chief operating officer, Troy Jones, said the hospital faces “challenges accommodating a high number of deceased persons in its morgue from time to time,” usually from delays in release. Those challenges, he said, should ease when a planned redevelopment of Kingston General Hospital enhances the morgue space.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 7, 2020.

What you legally can and can’t do with your body when you die

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 17:22:26 GMT

FSAC Director, Allan Cole spent this morning with CTV Toronto representing Canadian funeral service. With educating the public being such a large focus for our association in 2020, we couldn’t be more proud watching this. The interview speaks about burial, cremation, executors and more. What an incredible message for the public to hear, great job Allan!

Congratulations Graduates!

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 17:02:48 GMT

Alberta

2019 Mount Royal University Graduates

Funeral Service Diploma

Carla Eskow

Sarah Ingram

Ashley Knash

Adriana Nauta

Dallas Simpson

Maxime Vandevelde

Funeral Director Certificate

Harry Jay Coote

Jordan Grant

Dwayne Henley

Salwa Kadri

Randee Urbina

Embalmer Certificate

Alesia Desjardins

Myfanwy Hughes

Curtis Johnson

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Missing from photo;

Gabriel Joseph Dennis White from Brenan's Funeral Home, Saint John, NB

Arthur Colin Smith from Carleton Funeral Home & Crematorium, Jacksonville, NB

Jerico Drapeau from Maher's Funeral Home, Campbellton, NB

Funeral Service Foundation Welcomes New Trustees and Elects 2019-20 Executive Committee

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 19:43:47 GMT

(Above, left to right) Bob Arrington, Arrington Funeral Group, Jackson, Tennessee (2018-19 Chair); Anthony Guerra, Guerra & Gutierrez Mortuaries, Los Angeles, California (2019-20 Chair); Allan Cole, MacKinnon & Bowes, Toronto, Ontario (Current Chair-Elect, 2020-21 Chair)

The Funeral Service Foundation’s Board of Trustees welcomed three new trustees and elected its 2019-20 executive committee at its annual fall meeting held during the NFDA International Convention & Expo in Chicago. Voted onto the board in July, Stephen Phelps, CEO of National Guardian Life Insurance Company, and David Falconer, Senior Vice President, Regions Funeral and Cemetery Trust Manager began three-year terms as Foundation Trustees. Christopher Robinson, vice president and general manager, Robinson Funeral Home, Easley, North Carolina, joined Foundation trustees as the NFDA liaison, and NFDA Board-appointed role.

Funeral directors and allied professionals alike serve on the 17-member volunteer board, and offer their expertise and insight to advance to Foundation’s mission to support meaningful relationships with families and communities. The Foundation’s impact includes 250 scholarships and continuing education grants annually, and major grants to organizations whose work supports funeral service and aligns with our mission.

“David, Steve and Chris are solid and inspiring additions to the Board,” said Anthony Guerra, who was elected as the Foundation’s 2019-20 Chair. “They are respected leaders within the funeral service profession and have been longtime Foundation supporters.”

In addition to electing Guerra, vice president of Guerra Gutierrez Mortuaries in Los Angeles, California, as 2019-20 Chair, the Board of Trustees elected Allan Cole, president and owner, MacKinnon and Bowes, Toronto, Ontario, as chair-elect. Cole is the first-ever international board member to serve in a leadership role. “We are so honored to have Allan on our Board and serving as a member of our Executive Committee this year,” said Lee Wiensch, Foundation Executive Director. “We are looking forward to his service as Chair in 2020-21, and especially pleased that he is the first international Chair of the Funeral Service Foundation. We know that he will lead us to new heights!”

The Board also re-elected Eric Tanzberger, senior vice president and CFO, Service Corporation International, Houston, Texas as secretary/treasurer. Bob Arrington, owner, Arrington Funeral Group, Jackson, Tennessee, serves as immediate past president.

Jay Dodds, chief operating officer, Park Lawn Corporation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Dave McComb, chairman and owner of Inman Shipping and Eagles Wings Air, Fort Wayne, Indiana, both transitioned off the board after six years of dedicated service to the Foundation.

Introducing Home & Auto Insurance for FSAC Members - Exclusive Savings

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 23:54:06 GMT

New Member Benefit: exclusive discounts on Home and Auto Insurance from PROLINK, FSAC's exclusive insurance partner. Member Companies and their Full-Time Employees can now save up to 15% through FSAC and PROLINK's Home and Auto Insurance Program!

Statement from FSAC President, Brett Watson in Response to Incident Behind OCME, Alberta

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:25:40 GMT

"On September 9th, 2019, CBC News videotaped the remains of the deceased person being inappropriately handled outside the Edmonton Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). The process witnessed was not in keeping with the standards and practices of Canadian funeral professionals as they care for the needs of the families they serve. Funeral professionals throughout Alberta and Canada are educated, trained and regulated to treat the remains of deceased persons in a manner that reflects dignity, respect and compassion. Funeral professionals across the country continue to hold a sacred trust with families when a loved one is entrusted to the care of a funeral home. We look forward to working with the OCME and the government in ensuring that the standards and practices are followed in the future.” - Brett Watson, FSAC President

Learn More About the Incident Being Responded to Using the Media Links Below:

Funeral Professionals Speak Out Following Misconduct in Winnipeg

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 20:13:15 GMT

(Winnipeg, Manitoba) – The elected President of a national association who represent funeral professionals from across Canada is speaking out following the tragic circumstances that led to the cancellation of Chad Wheeler’s funeral director’s license. The license was cancelled by the Funeral Board of Manitoba on January 29th, 2019 after the board found that Wheeler had broken several laws and regulations.

“Funeral directors and funeral establishments are regulated across Canada to ensure that our profession continues to provide exceptional and respectful services to families during their time of need.” stated Brett Watson, President of the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC). “The situation that took place earlier this year and in 2018 with Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematorium is unfortunate and we strongly condemn all the pain and frustration they put families through.

Funeral directors, and other funeral professionals, are regulated throughout Canada to ensure that situations like the one in Winnipeg do not happen. Regulatory authorities issue licenses to individuals after they have successfully gone through rigorous checks. For example, Wheeler continued to sell prearranged funeral services after March 2016, despite his license lapsing allowing him to sell such services.

“Funeral professionals across Canada take great care to support grieving families in organizing end of life arrangements for their loved ones. We pride ourselves on being a regulated profession across Canada that ensures that all of our services, from handling remains with dignity, to helping to create trust accounts for families, are legitimate and transparent. Canadians trust us to help them during their time of need, and we will continue to do so.” concluded Watson.

The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) is a national association that represents funeral professionals who are regulated by bodies throughout Canada.

The Funeral Service Association of Canada Announces Diane Hull as Executive Director

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 20:06:32 GMT

[OTTAWA, ONTARIO] The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) has announced the appointment of Diane Hull as the Association’s Executive Director. Diane Hull brings with her over four decades of experience with a diverse background in financial management, office administration, and event coordination, in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She has been acting as the Association’s interim Executive Director since August of 2018.

FSAC Responds to CBC Winnipeg Regarding Wheeler Cemetery Search Warrant

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 19:59:29 GMT

On June 12th, FSAC was contacted by Joanne Levasseur of CBC Winnipeg. Ms. Levasseur was doing a follow up article regarding an alleged event taking place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was seeking an interview with an FSAC representative who could provide comments from a National Association and funeral service professionals’ perspective.

The story concerned the Winnipeg Police serving a search warrant on the Wheeler Cemetery. Police indicated they had reasonable grounds to believe Chad Wheeler "indecently offer[ed] an indignity to the human remains placed in his care as a funeral director/embalmer by throwing cremated ashes sealed in a plastic bag into the retention ponds" between July 5, 2011, and March 19, 2018. CBC News · Posted: Jun 17, 2019 4:00 AM CT

Jayson Gordon was available to give an interview which aired on CBC Radio, Monday, June 17.

Radiation Protection Guidelines for Safe Handling of Decedents Update

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 20:39:09 GMT

Recently, FSAC updated members on a recent media release relating to the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and radiation protection guideline. We felt it was important to keep funeral service professionals informed about the latest unfolding news cycle in relation to the topic as the release has often been referenced to within Canadian media sources.

As members are aware, in Canada, Radiation Protection Guidelines for Safe Handling of Decedents provides guidance and recommended practices for minimizing radiation dose to death-care professionals and other members of the public who may encounter a decedent with residual nuclear substances from therapeutic medical procedures.

The CNSC does not regulate the safe handling of decedents. The CNSC publishes the Guidelines in accordance with its mandate to disseminate objective scientific and technical information. REGDOC-2.73 was also created in response to a growing number of requests from cancer treatment centres and death-care professionals for advice on handling decedents that contain nuclear substances. It does not purport to, and could not, regulate in this area, and readers are encouraged to consult applicable provincial law in this regard.

Legislation in Ontario and Saskatchewan prohibit cremation of human remains that have received radioactive implants.

Please refer to the most up-to-date information on the CNSC website .

Donation Made to Make a Wish Foundation

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 19:42:41 GMT

On behalf of the entire FSAC board and membership, thank you to Yves Berthiaume, President of the FSAC Board of Director who made a $5,000 donation to the Make a Wish Foundation. This was a commitment made at the 2018 FSAC Convention in Ottawa.

FSAC Sends Political Party Questionnaire Ahead of 2019 Election

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 12:01:28 GMT

FSAC Sends Political Party Questionnaire Ahead of 2019 Election

The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) sent a questionnaire to all political parties ahead of 2019 election to gain insight for how each party can help small businesses and in particular, the funeral profession. You can see the five questions asked to each party below and the responses at the bottom of this page. The FSAC team will upload responses as we receive them directly on this page.

QUESTION 1:

The majority of funeral homes and crematoriums in Canada are small-to-medium sized enterprises. They support individuals in planning for end-of-life arrangements and aid families who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. What are your party’s plans to support small businesses in Canada, including tax rates or credits?

QUESTION 2:

Over the past three decades, the cost of living has increased significantly which has increased the cost of end of life arrangements. Unfortunately, this has had the greatest impact on low-income Canadians who do not have the financial means of honouring their loved ones. While the CPP Death Benefit was recently pegged at $2,500, no matter an individual’s contributions, this is still behind previous lump sum payments available to Canadians. The previous rate in 1997 was $3,580 and at the time provided enough financial support to low-income Canadians. However, with the rising costs of end of life arrangements, as well as the reduced benefit, Canadians are now struggling more than ever. What is your party’s plans to support low-income Canadians who would like to properly honour their deceased loved ones?

QUESTION 3:

Funeral professionals quite often will agree to wait for the family to receive the CPP Death Benefit and will carry that amount on their accounts receivable as a gesture of good faith. Depending on when the family applies for the benefit usually determines when the funeral provider gets paid. Unfortunately, sometimes the family does not honour their promise and does not give the death benefit to the funeral home. In order to expedite the process, will your party allow the funeral home to apply for the benefit with the approval from the legal next of kin or executor of the estate?

QUESTION 4:

Every year thousands of Canadians contribute to Eligible Funeral Arrangements (EFAs) in order to be prepared for end of life arrangements. Funeral and cemetery pre-planning is encouraged for Canadians because it allows for the final wishes of the deceased to be fulfilled and helps prevent emotional overspending by the family. However, EFA limits have not increased since 1995, despite the rising costs of end of life arrangements. Would your party commit to raising EFA limits in order to allow for Canadians to properly save for end of life arrangements?

QUESTION 5:

As a convenience to the family of a deceased loved one, funeral professionals take on disbursements which are then passed along with the final invoice. For example, many funeral

professionals will pay for obituaries in newspapers, and pass along the charge and the HST/GST as

a disbursement. The challenge many still face however is when the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

audits their financials. The current law is unclear on the reporting requirements for HST or GST,

especially for pass through expenses which are billed back as a disbursement. Would your party

commit to examining current laws in order to add clarity for funeral professionals?

RESPONSES WILL BE UPLOADED BELOW AS WE RECEIVE THEM.

Funding Support for Modern Day Veterans' Funerals - News release

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 07:00:00 GMT

RESULTS: A TWELVE MONTH CAMPAIGN WITH 100% RESULTS!

The plan included direct advocacy, mini lobby days, media events, grassroots lobbying and a new relationship with the Royal Canadian Legion. This foundation laid a very successful framework, building relationships with all parties and with members of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee. Committee members then championed the issue with the Minister of Veterans Affairs. The media outreach was a resounding success. More than 80 news stories earned more than 32 million impressions between October-December 2012. On the grassroots level, more than 50 thousand letters were sent to MPs through the partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion. The end result was a 100 percent victory as the Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced a doubling of the federal funding and an additional $65 million investment.

FSAC was awarded the Canadian Society of Association Executives’ Associations Make a Better Canada award in Public Affairs/Government Relations in 2013.

Championing funding for Veterans for dignified end of life services.

jgreen@frontrunner360.com — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 07:00:00 GMT

CHALLENGE

The Last Post Fund is a non-profit organization that offers financial benefits for funeral related expenses to eligible veterans and disability pensioners. Despite a constant rise in funeral costs, funding rate levels for the Last Post Fund had remained constant since 2001. This discrepancy in funding was making it harder for funeral homes to provide veterans with the dignified burials they deserve.

The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) had waged a decade-long effort for the federal government to raise the amount paid for funerals of indigent veterans. Efforts by FSAC had maintained a narrow focus and resulted in little knowledge of the issue on Parliament Hill. Furthermore, there was a lack of pressure and discussion by the public to correct the problem. After ten years of being ignored, FSAC engaged Impact Public Affairs to correct this funding shortfall in the 2013 federal budget. A campaign style approach was implemented.

FSAC was honoured to accept the Canadian Society of Association Executives Make a Better Canada Award.