Funeral directors frustrated with government's failure to implement industry regulations

 

The Jamaica Association of Certified Embalmers and Funeral Directors is expressing frustration at the lack of promised regulations to govern the funeral industry, noting that too many funeral homes are failing to observe established best practices.

 

Calvin Lyn, president of the association and director of Lyn's Funeral Home in Mandeville, said some of the practices of concern are the playing of lewd, inappropriate and loud music from hearses at funerals or near churches where funeral services are being held.

 

Mr. Lyn, who gave an update at a press briefing this week, said the issue has been raised with the authorities and complaints published in the media, but they persist. 

 

"We of the association are trained embalmers and funeral directors. We uphold the standards and the dignity of this industry because it is a dignified profession and we who are trained, goes (sic) through the rigours. We were taught at mortuary school what we are to do and what we are not to do. So we want to disassociate ourselves from those who are playing this type of music," Mr. Lyn declared. 

 

The Ministry of Health created guidelines in August 2014 for the operation of funeral establishments and mortuaries.

 

It said the guidelines were intended to mirror the Public Health Funeral Establishment and Mortuary Operations and Regulations, which was being reviewed by Cabinet.

 

Mr. Lyn said an update is needed from the Health Ministry. 

 

"We have two copies of draft regulations from 2014, amended 2019, presented to us 2020 and to date nothing has been done. So the members are asking and I as leader of the Association am asking, calling on the government and the Ministry of Health in particular to tell us when these regulations will be made into law," he demanded.