S.C. Code Regs. § § 57-13

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Section 57-13 - Code of Ethics

(A) Responsibilities to the Family.

(1) A funeral director shall, where possible, fully inform the family of the deceased concerning the time, the place, and details of the funeral service.

(2) A funeral director shall consider the financial limitations of the family of the deceased when counseling the family in the selection of services and furnishings.

(3) A funeral director shall explain to the family of the deceased costs of the services and the merchandise and disclose the range of prices for funeral goods and services available.

(4) A funeral director shall review with the family of the deceased all death benefits and burial allowances of which he is aware.

(5) A funeral director shall provide a statement of goods and services for the family to approve showing the price of the services and merchandise that was selected, the price of each of the supplemental items of the service, and the amount involved for each of the items for which the funeral director will advance monies as an accommodation to the family.

(6) A funeral director shall not make any misrepresentation concerning any aspect of the services rendered or the funeral furnishings or disposition alternatives.

(B) Confidentiality.

(1) A funeral director shall not disclose the cause of death of the deceased, expenditures for the funeral, the cost of the service, the source of funds or other information of a personal nature except with the express permission of the immediate family, or their authorized representatives.

(C) Property.

(1) A funeral director shall dispose of the personal effects of the deceased in accordance with the wishes of the family.

(D) Organ Donation.

(1) A funeral director shall support the wishes of families who authorize organ or body donations, if the body is needed and medically acceptable.

(E) Responsibilities to the Clergy.

(1) A funeral director shall respect the customs and mourning habits of all religious creeds and denominations and shall adjust services to conform with the rituals and the beliefs of the family of the deceased.

(2) A funeral director shall honor the wishes and desires of the clergy in conducting the service whenever possible, except that the wishes of the clergy person shall be subservient to those of the family except when dogma is involved.

(3) A funeral director shall abide by the rules and regulations of the church when the funeral service is held in a church.

(4) A funeral director shall make appropriate referrals when religious or pastoral counseling is requested.

(F) Responsibilities to Medical and Hospital Personnel.

(1) A funeral director or embalmer shall promote public health by conforming with health laws and regulations.

(2) A funeral director or embalmer shall not discourage autopsy of the deceased unless instructed to do so by the immediate family.

S.C. Code Regs. § 57-13

Added by State Register Volume 23, Issue No. 5, eff May 28, 1999. Amended by State Register Volume 24, Issue No. 4, eff April 28, 2000.