First Call
Without these 3, a phone message is incomplete.
What is caller's name, number, and reason for calling?
This pressure-induced skin breakdown often found on immobile bodies can complicate embalming and is better known by its hospital nickname.
What is a decubitus ulcer (bedsore)?
This respiratory virus changed funeral services worldwide, from Zoom memorials to sealed body bags.
What is COVID-19?
In a military casket setup, the U.S. flag is traditionally placed with this side over the deceased’s head.
What is the field (blue) on the left (head)?
This piece of personal information about the deceased’s mother is required on a death certificate.
What is mother's maiden name?
If there's been a tumble, obtain this or we'll have to rumble.
What is a turndown number?
This viral infection can cause jaundice and poses a biohazard risk to embalmers.
What is Hepatitis B?
These tiny hitchhikers love to infest mattresses and funeral home couches, leaving itchy welts and lawsuits behind.
What are bed bugs?
These small cards, often attached to floral arrangements, identify the sender and offer condolences.
What are Flower Cards?
This section of the death certificate records what the deceased did for a living.
What is Occupation and Industry?
Not just looking for a price, this type of call is often seeking information, reassurance, and support when confronted with an immanent or sudden loss.
What is a shopper call?
These cropped pants may be comfy for the living, but they’re a questionable choice for dressing the dead.
What are Capris?
This airborne virus mutates yearly and fills funeral homes every winter with coughing clientele.
What is Influenza?
This acronym, commonly associated with the end of the workweek, reminds us which way the casket is placed into the hearse.
What is TGIF (Toes Go In First)?
To fully and accurately complete a death certificate, funeral staff must collect these p's.
What are 3 proofs?
More than words to show me how you feel, this way of communicating conveys the most meaning over the phone.
What is tone of voice?
This postmortem discoloration, caused by blood pooling due to gravity, helps determine body position at death.
What is Livor Mortis?
This bacterium wiped out a third of Europe in the 14th century and still haunts plague pits today.
What is Yersinia pestis?
This Jewish purification ritual is performed before burial to cleanse the deceased.
What is the Tahara?
This government office is responsible for issuing certified copies of death certificates.
What is the Department of vital records?
Every telephone call plays a role in either initiating, developing or enhancing one of these.
What is a relationship between the caller and the funeral home?
A Southern funeral punch made with grape soda and grain alcohol, this nickname also lovingly refers to a 30-index arterial fluid.
What is Purple Jesus?
This prion disease causes rapid neurodegeneration and is a nightmare for crematory operators due to its resistance to heat.
What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)?
This art of protection, presentation, and preservation is a must for open-casket services and public viewings.
What is Embalming?
If a mistake is found on a filed death certificate, this legal document is used to make corrections.
What is an Affidavit of correction?