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Ethics and Standards

Our Code of Ethics

Funerals Australia members commit to a shared code that upholds the integrity of our profession and the trust of the communities we serve. Our Code of Ethics is a promise – to act with dignity, transparency, and compassion.

We commit to:

  • Maintain in all matters the highest standards of business, professional and personal conduct.
  • Respect in all circumstances the confidentiality and trust placed in us by our clients and members of the public.
  • Ensure that staff is qualified and competent.
  • Ensure that facilities are adequate for all services rendered to the community.
  • Provide information concerning the range of services available, the prices of these services, and the functions and responsibilities accepted on behalf of our clients.
  • Give a written estimate of all funeral charges and disbursements to be made on a client’s behalf at the time of taking instructions, or as soon as is practicable.
  • Respect the personal choice of clients and have regard for their diversity of beliefs in religious and cultural practices.
  • Ensure that all advertising is in good taste and directed to informing the public.
  • Be thoroughly conversant with the laws of the land as they apply to funeral service and allied industries and professions.
  • Provide access to a client advisory service with conciliation and arbitration arrangements available to help resolve any disputes which arise between members and their clients.

Our Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct brings our ethical values into specific practice. It defines what is expected of every Funerals Australia member when serving families, caring for the deceased, working with the public, and meeting legal obligations.
Each area begins with an Ethical Principle that sets forth the goals and ideals of the profession. The Ethical Principle is followed by the applicable sections of the Funerals Australia Code of Professional Conduct which lists specific types of conduct that is either required or prohibited. 

Funeral Directors have an ethical obligation to serve each family in a professional and caring manner, being respectful of their wishes and confidences, being honest and fair in all dealings with them and willingly provide professional and quality service to every person’s stature within our community and to families of all socio-economic means.

Funeral directors must:

  • Provide funeral services to families without regard to religion, race, colour, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability or cause of death.
  • Comply with all applicable Federal or State Laws or regulations relating to the prearrangement and prepayment of funeral services or merchandise.
  • Understand and comply with all applicable Federal and/or State legislation regarding the legal right to enact funerals and the release of deceased.
  • Not sell any funeral merchandise that has previously been sold.
  • Not rent any coffin or casket without consent of the client.
  • Protect confidential information pertaining to the deceased or the family of the deceased from disclosure.
  • Carry out all aspects of the funeral service in a competent and respectful manner.
  • Properly account for and remit any monies, documents, or personal property that belongs to others that comes into the Funeral Directors possession.
  • Not engage in any unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the families they serve in the course of providing professional services.

Funeral Directors have an ethical obligation to care for each deceased person with the highest respect and dignity, and to transport, prepare and shelter the remains in a professional, caring and secure manner.

Funeral directors must:

  • Treat all deceased persons with proper care and dignity during transfer from the place of death, while in the care of the funeral director and during subsequent transportation of the remains.
  • Only have those authorised personnel of the funeral home or those persons authorised by the family in attendance during the preparation of the remains.
  • Treat all deceased persons in the preparation room with proper care and dignity and shall be respectfully covered at all times.
  • Not transport, hold or carry out the disposition of human remains without all permits and authorisations required by law.
  • Not violate any statute, ordinance, or regulation affecting the handling, custody, care or transportation of human remains.
  • Not knowingly dispose of parts of human remains that are received with the body by the funeral home in a manner different from that used for the final disposition of the body, unless the person authorising the method of final disposition gives permission that the body part may be disposed of in a manner different from the disposition of the body.
  • Only place personal items relating to the deceased, or as directed by the family, inside the coffin.

Funeral Directors have an ethical obligation to the public to offer their services and to operate their businesses in accordance with the highest principles of honesty, fair dealing and professionalism.

Funeral directors must:

  • Not engage in any unprofessional conduct which is likely to defraud or deceive the public.
  • Not engage in false or misleading advertising.
  • Not personally or through an agent or employee solicit deceased human remains, whether the solicitation occurs after death or while death is imminent; provided, however, that general advertising directed to the public at large would not constitute a violation of this section.
  • Not pay or offer to pay a commission or anything of value to third parties, such as medical personnel, nursing home and hospice organisations or employees, clergy, government officials or others, to secure deceased human remains for funeral or disposition services.
  • Not use alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use adversely impacts the funeral directors ability to carry out his or her obligation as a funeral professional.

Funeral Directors have an ethical obligation to maintain strict compliance with the letter and spirit of all governmental laws and regulations that impact the funeral consumer, the funeral profession, and the public health.

Funeral directors must:

  • Not knowingly make or file false records or reports in the practice of funeral service.
  • Comply with all Federal, State or local laws, rules or regulations governing or impacting the practice of funeral service.
  • Comply with all Federal, State or local laws, rules or regulations that were enacted to protect consumers.
  • Comply with all Federal, State or local laws, rules or regulations that were enacted to protect the environment.

Compliance

Before membership is granted, all prospective member firms must meet Premises, Equipment and Vehicles (PEV) standards. These are reassessed every three years to maintain high-quality care across all settings.

Members must:

  • Comply with all local, state and Commonwealth Occupational Health and Safety standards
  • Comply with all local, state and Commonwealth public health standards
  • Enable funerals to be arranged and conducted in accordance with the needs and wishes of client families

Funerals Australia members are covered for copyright for all licensing of publishable material (written or performed) in a funeral or associated service and for live streaming.

Continuing Education

Funerals Australia members are required to undertake a minimum number of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours each year. CPD is education and learning activities that develop knowledge and skill in a person’s work. The purpose of CPD is to ensure that Funerals Australia members maintain the highest possible standard of practice through a commitment to continued learning in their businesses. Funerals Australia members have access to the Funeral Learning Hub, a world class online learning portal with over 60 courses, in person education sessions held annually, webinars and events including an annual National Convention.

Working with Embalmers

Funerals Australia works with the Australian Institute of Embalming (AIE) which promotes excellence in professional standards and acceptance of embalming as part of the funeral process. Embalmers complete a two-year training program in order to become qualified practitioners. Members of the AIE are bound by a strict Code of Ethics.

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Help when something goes wrong

Funerals Australia is committed to helping families feel supported, heard, and respected even when something goes wrong. If a concern arises with a Funerals Australia member, we offer a fair and transparent path to resolving concerns.

Complaints Process

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