The Funeral Service Association of BC (FSABC) is a trade association and training provider for the funeral service profession in BC. It promotes education, professional standards, and connects funeral homes. As the designated training provider, it works with partners like the Canadian College of Funeral Services and Industry Training Authority to provide certification programs. The FSABC acts as a resource and roadmap for apprentices going through the certification process.

1. Funeral Service
Association of BC
.. promoting education, networking, peer recognition, professional
development and cultivating business to business relationships …

2. Who Are We?
An Association …
“A group of people who voluntarily come together
to solve problems, meet common needs, and
accomplish common goals”

3. Who Are We?
A Trade Association
Which is a not-for-profit voluntary
membership organization that represents
a group of companies having a business
or trade in common ….

4. Fundamentals of a Trade
Association
Promoting business
Encouraging ethical practices
Setting industry standards
Conducting research
Co-operating with other organizations
Holding conferences, professional development
seminar

5. What Is our Mission?
To promote the highest standards of ethics and
service in the funeral service profession with the
public through education, communication and
leadership!

6. Our Vision?
Every Life Celebrated!

7. In addition to being a Trade
Association we are a “school” …

8. Funeral Services Programs
Who is the Training Service Provider for
Funeral Service Education in British
Columbia and who are our partners?

9. Mission
To train funeral service apprentices through
quality education programs and support
employers to meet those training needs.

10. The FSABC Is
The Designated Training Provider
THE SCHOOL
Funeral Service Association
of British Columbia
THE CREDENTIAL THE INSTRUCTORS
THE LICENCE ISSUERS
THE FUNDERS Canadian College of
Business Practices & Consumer
Industry Training Authority Funeral Services
Protection Authority
Responsible for managing BC’s Contractual Agreement With
Licenses Apprentices
industry training systems The FSABC to provide instruction.
pursuant to the CIFSA regulations
Sets Training Standards

12. Your Sponsor / Your school? The Funeral Service Association of BC
Your Mentor & Workplace Instruction? Your employer and peers
Your Workplace Assessment? The Fulford Harbour Group
Your Academic Instruction? The Canadian College of Funeral Service
Your Academic Assessment? The Canadian College of Funeral Service
Your Certification of Apprenticeship? The Industry Training Authority
Your Certificate of Qualification? The Industry Training Authority
Your life-long credential … Your proof as being a qualified professional
Your License / Regulator? Consumer Protection BC
Oh My Those Are A Lot Of
People To Remember!!

13. No Worries ….
The FSABC acts on your behalf and is YOUR ROADMAP
to get you where you are going ….. CERTIFICATION!

14. 1. Completion of Academic Training
(June)
(Online, classroom, final exams)
2. Completion of Practical Training
(Sept) Steps To Certification /
(Logbooks, evidence, declarations, Licensing
3600 workplace hours)
3. Submission to ITA for Certification
(Sept)
4. Receipt of ITA Certificate of
Qualification (Nov)
5. Your C of Q will be forwarded to you
along with License Application Forms
for CPBC

15. Can I attend the graduation ceremony even though I
haven’t completed my practical (workbased) training?
Will I get my license before the graduation
ceremony?
Can I bring anyone to the graduation ceremony?
When is the graduation ceremony?
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 –
RICHMOND – Grad Banquet

16. So What Is New?
 Substantive modification of the existing programs and
development of new programs that will lead to
Certification of Qualification (ITA issued)
Funeral Director – Updated
Embalmer – Updated
Embalmer and Funeral Director – Updated
Foundation Program - New
Cremationist – New
Launches September 2011
Extensive input from the profession and input from Industry
Subject Matter Experts.

17. Pilot Just About Completed! …
 New log books & workplace assessment
tools for apprentices and mentors
Well defined Workplace
Competency Standards
Still being perfected!!
Thank YOU!!

18. Other FSABC Tips and Tools
Easy to Navigate website
www.bcfunerals.com
Human Resource Toolkit To Support
Employers and Employees
Legislation & Regulation Links

19. Common Challenges
You’ve Got Me
Stumped!

20. Expected / Planned Home
Deaths
What is the document called?
Joint Protocol for Expected / Planned
Home Deaths In BC
Is there a “legal” requirement in BC
that deaths be pronounced?
No … there is not legal requirement
that a death be pronounced.

21. Joint Protocol For Expected /
Planned Home Deaths
Planned home deaths are a planned,
expected home death where an individual
has chosen to die at home and plans have
been clearly documented before hand
Including ……

22. The Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation form is completed and signed by the
physician and original form is kept with the individual.
No legal requirement that death be pronounced although it is recognized
that it is sound clinical and ethical practice to do so. Health care
professionals that my pronounce include physicians, registered nurses
and licensed practical nurses.
For individuals who decline pronouncement?
A Notification of Expected Death form MUST be completed by the physician

24. The form verifies that …
The family has declined pronouncement and has
agreed to wait for at least how long after
breathing has stopped before they can call the
funeral home to remove the body?
1 hour
The person with the right to control disposition of
the deceased has provided authorization to the
funeral home to transfer the body
The funeral home ensures that the person
authorized to control disposition of the deceased has
signed the form.

25. TRANSPORTATION OF
HUMAN REMAINS
Do Human Remains Need To Be Embalmed
Before They are Transported?
No - Health Act – Communicable Disease Regulation
repealed in 2006 thus eliminating 72 hour clause
Part 3 (16)
No person shall ship a dead body by rail, air, ship or truck without a
valid transit certificate
A properly completed burial permit, issued under the Vital Statistics Act
attached to the head of the box containing the casket constitutes a valid
certificate.

26. Ministry of Social Development
Funeral Supplement –
Basic Legal Requirements - $ 1,285
Additional Services - $ 815
Common Challenge …. Can the casket / service be
upgraded by anyone?
Anyone … but ….
The spouse, the parent of a minor child, or a sponsor of
a sponsored immigrant

27. If the Ministry has “control of disposition”
and is the legal authority of the deceased
(i.e. no next of kin) – does the Ministry
have to select Burial?
No
Ministry Staff must use discretion when the deceased’s
cultural or religious beliefs support burial.
Otherwise the Ministry will select most common form of
disposition in BC – Cremation. On average 80% of
British Columbians will select cremation.

28. BC VITAL STATISTICS AGENCY
Yes
Can You Photocopy A Death Certificate?
No
Can You Certify A Death Certificate?
Funeral Directors who certify copies of death certificates are in
contravention of the Evidence Act. For CPP purposes only Vital
Statistics allows the statement “this photocopy is a true copy of
the original document which has not been altered in any way”.
Can You Issue A Funeral Director’s Statement of
Death?
Who else in BC can issue a death certificate other
than a funeral home district registrar?
On who’s behalf are you acting when you receive an
appointment as a District Registrar?

29. When a mass fatality incident occurs
within the Province of BC, who is
responsible for leading the mass
fatality management process?
NEW – MAY 12, 2011 – Just released … the British Columbia Coroner’s
Service Mass Fatality Response Plan.
The importance of fatality management preparation cannot be overstated.
Document and updates can be downloaded from the FSABC website.

30. We Are Here For You!
Let us know if you have moved …
Let us know if you have changed your employer …
Let us know if you have any questions ..
Email: careers@bcfunerals.com or
info@bcfunerals.com
Toll Free: 1-800-665-3899
Website: www.bcfunerals.com