Coroner and Funeral Director Program

Coroner and Funeral Director Program
As part of its continuing efforts to facilitate organ and tissue donation, LifeBanc has launched programs to reach coroners and funeral homes in Northeast Ohio. In 2001, LifeBanc added a coroner/funeral service coordinator to its staff. It is the responsibility of this person to actively work with the 20 Coroners and Medical Examiner offices as well as the nearly 500 funeral homes of Northeast Ohio. We provide in-service programs to the Coroner/Medical Examiners' staff to promote cooperation and understanding of the donation process; in turn, these in-services become a valuable exchange of concerns and ideas. We have implemented some routine referral programs whereby LifeBanc can evaluate coroner cases that do not go through a hospital but rather go directly to a coroner's office from place of death. Plans include implementing a similar process in other coroner offices throughout Northeast Ohio.
It also is LifeBanc's goal to make its staff aware of the affects of organ and tissue procurement on funeral home practices. LifeBanc builds relationships with funeral directors through various educational programs, enabling them to facilitate the donation process. We have implemented a post-donor follow up program where we personally visit a funeral home after they have worked with a donor family; each year hundreds of visits are made, along with a host of in-service workshops to funeral director/embalmer associations. To serve funeral directors and embalmers, LifeBanc has initiated the following: Routine Notification: LifeBanc notifies the funeral home of donation consent, anticipated recovery time, organs and tissue to be recovered, next of kin information, pertinent family dynamics, any changes in the donation process that may affect the funeral home's practices and when the body will be released. Reimbursement of Reasonable Costs: LifeBanc reimburses funeral homes for reasonable costs directly incurred as a result of the donation process. Any costs related to donation are not passed on to the donor family. Educational Programs: LifeBanc offers in-service and educational programs for all funeral home staff, including managers, funeral directors, embalmers and pre-planning counselors. LifeBanc can help apply for continuing education hours if the funeral home desires. Funeral Service Support: LifeBanc's funeral service coordinator is a resource for funeral homes with questions regarding organ and tissue procurement, recovery and post-donation care. Your Part of the Gift: A Guide for Funeral Directors and Embalmers. This practical booklet explains general information regarding donation, such as religious views. It also contains suggestions for obituaries as well as specific embalming techniques for organ and tissue donors. This booklet is available by requesting a copy at fs@lifebanc.org or a printable version is available on this website by clicking on Your Part of the Gift.

As part of its continuing efforts to facilitate organ and tissue donation, LifeBanc has launched programs to reach coroners and funeral homes in Northeast Ohio. In 2001, LifeBanc added a coroner/funeral service coordinator to its staff. It is the responsibility of this person to actively work with the 20 Coroners and Medical Examiner offices as well as the nearly 500 funeral homes of Northeast Ohio.

We provide in-service programs to the Coroner/Medical Examiners' staff to promote cooperation and understanding of the donation process; in turn, these in-services become a valuable exchange of concerns and ideas. We have implemented some routine referral programs whereby LifeBanc can evaluate coroner cases that do not go through a hospital but rather go directly to a coroner's office from place of death. Plans include implementing a similar process in other coroner offices throughout Northeast Ohio.

It also is LifeBanc's goal to make its staff aware of the affects of organ and tissue procurement on funeral home practices. LifeBanc builds relationships with funeral directors through various educational programs, enabling them to facilitate the donation process. We have implemented a post-donor follow up program where we personally visit a funeral home after they have worked with a donor family; each year hundreds of visits are made, along with a host of in-service workshops to funeral director/embalmer associations.

To serve funeral directors and embalmers, LifeBanc has initiated the following:

Routine Notification: LifeBanc notifies the funeral home of donation consent, anticipated recovery time, organs and tissue to be recovered, next of kin information, pertinent family dynamics, any changes in the donation process that may affect the funeral home's practices and when the body will be released.
Reimbursement of Reasonable Costs: LifeBanc reimburses funeral homes for reasonable costs directly incurred as a result of the donation process. Any costs related to donation are not passed on to the donor family.
Educational Programs: LifeBanc offers in-service and educational programs for all funeral home staff, including managers, funeral directors, embalmers and pre-planning counselors. LifeBanc can help apply for continuing education hours if the funeral home desires.
Funeral Service Support: LifeBanc's funeral service coordinator is a resource for funeral homes with questions regarding organ and tissue procurement, recovery and post-donation care.
Your Part of the Gift: A Guide for Funeral Directors and Embalmers. This practical booklet explains general information regarding donation, such as religious views. It also contains suggestions for obituaries as well as specific embalming techniques for organ and tissue donors. This booklet is available by requesting a copy at fs@lifebanc.org or a printable version is available on this website by clicking on Your Part of the Gift.