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Funeral Director Insurance Policy Information

Funeral Director Insurance. Funeral directors have the critical job of arranging and managing most aspects of funeral services, including preparing the decreased for their final resting place.

Funeral directors or morticians prepare deceased bodies for burial or cremation. The director will work with the family or friends of the deceased to plan services.

This may include transportation of the body to the funeral home for preparation and embalming, the sale of caskets, urns, and memorial items, funeral services at any location chosen by the client, transportation of the body, flowers, and family members to the cemetery or crematorium, notification to the local newspaper, and submission of any required documents with regulatory authorities.

Drive-through viewings and live streaming of funeral services are becoming more common.

Individuals may discuss their preferred funeral arrangements in advance with the funeral director, who may offer a pre-payment option. Purchase of a pre-need contract places a long-term fiduciary responsibility on the funeral director.

These businesses, which are frequently family-owned and managed, may help the deceased family with paperwork, arrange for the casket or urn the family has chosen, prepare the body by embalming and dressing it, and arrange for transport to the cemetery or crematorium.

Families who have recently lost a loved one can rely on these skilled professionals during a difficult time, and there is no question that funeral directors perform an invaluable service. Because funeral homes also, like any other commercial venture, face a rage of risks, it is crucial for them to take steps to ensure that their business can overcome any unforeseen circumstances that may come their way.

What kinds of funeral director insurance coverage may help achieve this goal? Read on...

Funeral director insurance protects your business from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked funeral director insurance questions:

• What Is Funeral Director Insurance?
• How Much Does Funeral Director Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Funeral Directors Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Funeral Directors Need?
• What Does Funeral Director Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Funeral Directors Need Insurance?

Funeral directors need to invest in excellent insurance for a variety of reasons - to meet legal requirements and to satisfy lender conditions, but also simply to protect their business from devastating financial losses in the face of major perils.

Like any other business, funeral homes are vulnerable to threats that could damage or destroy their premises and the assets within it. Acts of nature, like wildfires, hurricanes, or earthquakes are examples of perils that can can cause extreme damage and immediately force you to close temporarily.

Theft, vandalism (which, in the worst cases, includes arson), and accidents are other perils that could lead to significant costs. Equipment vital to your business, such as cold storage, may also suddenly break down and need to be replaced or replaced.

Funeral homes also have to contend with significant liability risks. In this branch of commerce, employees may be exposed to hazardous substances such as formaldehyde, or to pathogens due to contact with deceased persons.

If you were to make a mistake in your work, a family who hired you to manage their loved one's funeral could also file a lawsuit, leading to massive expenses. Keep in mind that such claims can be filed even if you carried your duties out responsibly, and the lawsuit later proves to be groundless.

Only by carrying the correct funeral director insurance policies can businesses in this industry ensure that their company can survive these, and other, major threats - and that is why it is so important to evaluate your coverage carefully.

Funeral Director's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure is high as people entering the location to arrange and attend funerals are often in a fragile emotional state and may be unaware of their surroundings, or they may have physical impairments. The rooms and halls must be free of obstructions, and floor coverings must be in good condition. The number of exits must be sufficient and well marked, with backup lighting in case of power failure.

There should be sufficient personnel to direct and assist, and they must be able to handle emergency situations. Parking lots and sidewalks must be kept free of ice and snow and must be in good condition. Lighting should be sufficient for the situation.

Visitors may bring food into a designated area, which needs to be kept clean. If there is a playroom for children, it must be supervised at all times. Additional security may be required for high-profile funerals.

Off-premises exposures include visits to clients' premises and conducting services at houses of worship, event centers, homes, and gravesites. Equipment used during services can pose a tripping hazard.

Professional liability exposure is high. While damage to a body is considered property damage, any improper handling can result in emotional distress to the family. The funeral director should comply with FTC regulations regarding itemization of prices for any services rendered.

There should be excellent documentation regarding identification and handling of the deceased and any personal effects. The family's wishes concerning all aspects of the body handling must be documented, signed, and strictly followed. There should be procedures on checking latches on the casket and on the hearse.

Should cremation or other services be outsourced, the funeral director should be sure there is adequate liability coverage in place from the outsource vendor. Arranging transportation of bodies over long distances could result in a body being unusable for open-casket viewing.

There may be allegations of breach of contract, discrimination, fraudulent misrepresentation, invasion of privacy, theft of the deceased's organs, and unfair trade practices.

Environmental impairment exposure is high due to the potential for air, surface, or ground water, or soil contamination due to the toxic and corrosive impact of the embalming fluid and waste materials such as blood. The director must adhere to all federal and state guidelines for proper disposal.

Workers compensation exposure can be high due to the handling of bodies. Common injuries include cuts, puncture wounds, slips, trips, falls, foreign objects in the eye, and back injuries from lifting and preparing bodies. Musculoskeletal injuries can result from working in awkward positions or massaging limbs or facial muscles into place for viewing.

The use of chemicals can result in serious eye, skin, and lung injuries. Some chemicals, particularly formaldehyde used in embalming fluid, are toxic. Employees must be fully informed as to the potential effects of any chemicals, including long-term occupational disease hazards, so that they can take action as quickly as possible. Embalming operations require employees to wear gloves and masks to prevent contamination from bodily fluids, particularly blood, which can transmit communicable diseases.

Adequate ventilation is needed to carry formaldehyde fumes outside. There may be repetitive motion injuries from ongoing work with embalming equipment due to vibrations. Those transporting bodies to and from the funeral parlor, cemetery, or crematory can be injured in automobile accidents.

Property exposure consists of offices, a retail display area for caskets, urns, and memorial items, body preparation area, and viewing rooms. Ignition sources include electrical equipment, heating, and air conditioning. If the funeral home is located in a converted dwelling, all heating, cooling, and electrical wiring must meet current codes.

Furnishings are highly susceptible to smoke, water, and fire damage. Caskets are often wooden and lined with fabric that will help feed a fire.

If embalming takes place on premises, the embalming fluid should be stored in small quantities and kept in an approved cabinet due to its corrosive and toxic nature. There should be adequate ventilation to prevent the buildup of chemical vapors, which can ignite.

Theft can be a concern, as the embalming fluid has become an attractive additive to marijuana. Security is important to prevent unauthorized entrance to the premises.

An on-premises crematory increases the exposure to fire due to the extremely high temperatures required to consume a body. There must be adequate clearances as the flue exits the chimney and controls in place to prevent overheating. Fuels used for crematory ovens include liquid petroleum, natural gas, or home heating oil. These must be stored in approved containers.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the funeral director offers credit, bailees customers, audiovisual equipment if services are live-streamed, computers for recordkeeping and online obituaries, special floater, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information.

Bailees customers exposure is from taking custody of the body of the deceased and any personal items that accompany it, such as clothing or jewelry, plus personal items belonging to family and friends that are left in the funeral director's office or other designated area during visitations and the funeral.

Equipment used off premises to conduct the funeral, such as at a church or the deceased's home, should be covered with a special floater. Duplicates of all records should be made and kept off site.

Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty. Background checks should be conducted on all employees handling money. There must be a separation of duties between persons handling deposits and disbursements and reconciling bank statements. Regular audits should be conducted, particularly if prepaid policies have been sold.

Business auto exposures include transporting the body to the funeral home, then driving the hearse, flower car and other vehicles supplied to the family for funeral services. All traffic rules must be observed while vehicles travel in a funeral procession.

Additional services such as long distance body transport or emergency body pickup may be offered. All drivers must have the appropriate licenses and be aware of any local ordinances regarding funeral processions. Side trips should not be permitted.

MVRs should be ordered on a regular basis. Vehicles must be regularly maintained with documentation kept in a central location.

Garagekeepers liability exposure is moderate if the funeral director offers valet parking or places visitors' vehicles in line for funeral processions.

What Does Funeral Director Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Funeral directors, like any other professionals, can face legal challenges for a variety of reasons. Some common reasons for lawsuits against funeral directors include:

Negligence: A funeral director may be sued for negligence if they fail to exercise the appropriate level of care during the preparation, transport, or handling of a deceased person. Insurance can help by covering the legal defense costs and any financial settlements or judgments awarded to the plaintiff in such cases.

Breach of contract: If a funeral director fails to fulfill their contractual obligations, such as not providing the agreed-upon services or not adhering to the specific wishes of the family, they may be sued for breach of contract. In these cases, professional liability insurance can help cover the costs of defending against the lawsuit and any financial damages awarded to the plaintiff.

Emotional distress: Funeral directors may be sued if their actions or failure to act cause emotional distress to the family members of the deceased. This could include mishandling the deceased's remains, making insensitive comments, or any other actions that cause emotional pain. Insurance can help by covering legal defense costs and any financial settlements or judgments awarded to the plaintiff.

Misrepresentation: Funeral directors may be sued if they are found to have made false or misleading statements about their services or the services of a third party (such as a cemetery or crematory). Insurance can help cover the costs of defending against the lawsuit and any financial damages awarded to the plaintiff.

Violation of regulations: Funeral directors must comply with various federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to their industry. If a funeral director is found to have violated any of these regulations, they may be subject to fines, penalties, and potential legal action. Insurance can help cover the costs of defending against such lawsuits and paying any financial damages or penalties.

Discrimination: If a funeral director is found to have discriminated against a client based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics, they may be sued for discrimination. Insurance can help cover the costs of defending against the lawsuit and any financial damages awarded to the plaintiff.

For each of these scenarios, having an appropriate insurance policy in place can help funeral directors protect themselves and their businesses from the financial burden associated with legal claims. Some policies that can help in these situations include general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and employment practices liability insurance. These policies typically cover legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments, helping to ensure that funeral directors can continue to operate their businesses despite facing a lawsuit.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 7261 Funeral Service And Crematories
• NAICS CODE: 812210 Funeral Homes and Funeral Services, 812220 Cemeteries and Crematories
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9620 Funeral Director & Drivers

7261: Funeral Service And Crematories

Division I: Services | Major Group 72: Personal Services | Industry Group 726: Funeral Service And Crematories

7261 Funeral Service And Crematories: Establishments primarily engaged in preparing the dead for burial, conducting funerals, and cremating the dead.

• Crematories
• Funeral directors
• Funeral homes or parlors
• Morticians
• Undertakers

Funeral Director Insurance - The Bottom Line

To protect your business, employees and the people you help, having the right funeral director insurance coverage is essential. To see what options are available to you, how much coverage you should invest in and the cost - speak to a reputable commercial insurance agent.

Additional Resources For Professional Services Insurance

Get informed about small business professional services insurance, including Professional liability, aka errors and omissions (E&O insurance), that protects your business against claims that a professional service you provided caused your client financial loss.

• Accounting
• Actuaries
• Answering Service
• Architects
• Armored Car
• Attorney Lawyer
• Auctioneer
• Auditor
• Background Music Services
• Bookkeeping
• Business Consulting
• Chemical Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Claims Adjuster
• Commercial Laundries
• Commodity Broker
• Corporate Wellness
• Couriers
• Court Reporter
• Credit Bureaus
• Debt Collection Agency
• Draftsman
• Detective Agency
• Diaper Services
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering
• Environmental Consultant
• Executive, Career & Life Coaching
• Executive Search Firm
• Expert Witness
• Financial Planner
• Financial Services
• Funeral Directors
• HR Consultant
• Inspection Bureaus
• Insurance Agents & Brokers Insurance
• Interpreter
• Mediator - Arbitrator
• Medical Billing
• Music, Drama & Dance Therapy
• Notary
• Office Machine Repair & Maintenance
• Piano Tuners
• Project Management
• Safety Consultants
• Speakers Bureaus
• Stockbrokers
• Surveyor
• Tax Preparer
• Temporary Staffing
• Title Abstractors
• Valet Parking
• Specialty Consultants
• Specialty Service Business

The professional services industry, which includes occupations such as lawyers, doctors, accountants, and architects, often deals with sensitive and complex issues that carry a high risk of liability. These professionals are expected to provide their clients with expert advice and guidance, and any mistakes or oversights can result in significant financial consequences for both the client and the professional. This is where insurance comes into play.

Business insurance provides protection against the financial repercussions of potential mistakes or accidents that may occur while providing professional services. For example, a lawyer may make an error in their legal representation that leads to a financial loss for their client. Without insurance, the lawyer would be personally responsible for covering the cost of this loss. Insurance helps to protect professionals from these types of financial burdens and allows them to focus on providing high-quality services to their clients.

In addition to protecting against financial losses, commercial insurance can also provide legal defense for professionals facing legal action as a result of their work. This can be especially important for professionals in high-stress or high-risk fields, such as doctors or architects, who may be at a higher risk of being sued for professional negligence.

Overall, the professional services industry needs insurance to protect against financial losses and legal action, ensuring that professionals can continue to provide high-quality services to their clients without the added stress and burden of potential financial consequences.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Professional Liability, Umbrella Liability, Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Money and Securities, Special Floater, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and Stop Gap Liability.