Funeral SOPS

[NYSmokey]

After reading about all of the recent LODD's, it occurred to me that our department doesn't have a written funeral policy. It's one of those issues no one likes to talk about until it's made a necessity. I'd like some feedback from all of you. What did you see at fallen firefighter funerals that impressed you or showed a great deal of respect? I realize that the family is priority one and that their wishes will dictate a lot of it but we still need to have something in place. It's an SOP I hope I never have to use!

[Captain 12]

Last week we lost one of our firefighters. Not in the line of duty. but we still need to do something... Not just for him and his family but our members as well...
One thing I am NOT Happy to say I have been to TOO Many of these...

A.First of all we are firefighters we are ready for any emegency, Why sould this be any diferent...

B.See Lighthouse Uniform Company web site. They have some proticals on is matter.
BUT. remember these are not the end all. and you can and sould change then as needed and you will...

C. The Wish's of family come first and farmost... some wife's don't ever want to see another fire truck again never mind 80 pumpers 16 ladders 22 med units 45 cheifs cars and two ladders up with the American Flag draped off them.

D. Bunting for station and trucks badge covers. Dress Uniforns white gloves ect...and honor gaurd YOU NEED TO GET NOW
somethings like bunting you can barrow from another FD in area or if they don't have any maybee split the cost with them and you can share them also crome or brass ax's and pike poles... you can also use these for parades..

E. Have this ready because when you need them, you need them Now. The overnight shipping cost will kill you... and you don't have time to shop price. or what you want...I am still looking for a good place to get bunting for trucks and station. I am not happy with what I have found so far on the web...

[hctrouble25]

Captain 12, I am truly sorry for your loss..losing a brother or sister fire fighter is so hard. I wish you and your department the best in dealing with this.

For funerals always always always respect the family's wishes. Most times the family understands how important "the job" was to their lost one so they expect and understand that fire trucks, ambulances, etc. will be a part of the service. We had a member die several years ago and we had a bag pipe player posted outside the doors into the funeral home playing various songs including taps...it was well received by everyone coming into the funearl home. We also had a collage of pictures made up by a printing company where all the pictures (fire pics, family pics, friends, etc.) were in black and white and only Rich (the one who had passed) was in color. It was very beautiful and so many people were pleased that we did this to honor him. We all placed something small in the casket that reminded us of him...a small ff pin, etc. The family was so touched that we all came there with all these things to honor him and that so many other departments showed up. They told us they never knew how many people's lives their son had touched. It was so heartwarming. All I can really tell you is to do something that is special for your friend that has passed...if your passed member had a special hat, or t-shirt, etc. do something unique with that like have it framed with pictures, etc. The family will always treasure the momento...and it will bring them joy through the years.

[mtnfyre21]

we had a past assn. chief die a year and a half ago
we had buntimg on two trucks
the pumper carrying the casket and
our rescue truck because he was a past rescue cheif
gear on bumper on rescue
honor guard did service and had personnel riding on truck
had a caravan that was a mile and a half long
all fire appartus has emergency lights going and we blocked traffic at all intercation
also had the medical helo fly over the truck
then had our dispatch set last tones and read a small message
retired his number
2197
stay safe and have fun

[ 07-31-2001: Message edited by: ff21 ]

[WRENCH]

we are selves as I write in the middle of a f\f funeral non lod. There are several good sources of protocals ,one being the LRC at the nat fire acad. Also Ret Bat Chief Bill Peters of the Jersey City NJ FD also has written a good book on the subject , I believe it is available thru Fire engineering books.

[eCappy]

While it is very important for firefighters to mourn our loss and to make an attempt at some sort of closure, it is my opinion that we should first honor and respect the family's wishes, and follow all their ethnic and religious practices.

Some examples:

My experiences have shown that it's important to know if sending a floral arrangement is wanted, or if it is allowed by their religious beliefs. Maybe a donation to the family's favorite charity in lieu of flowers is more appropriate.

I've found that it has also been important to know which side of the aisle our male and female members are allowed to be seated at or stand at during some services. You don't want to cause a stir by violating any centuries old religious or ethnic practices by having the females sit or stand on the mens' side.

For some religions the time of day, and which day of the week or weekend will affect burial rites and procedures, making eulogies and/or honor guards inappropriate.

Your fire department may not have the ethnic and religious diversity that mine has, and the above issues may never concern you, but as Captain 12 very wisely said above, you've got to be ready for anything.

[E229Lt]

My department has lost far too many members. Only recently, something called "the blue book" has begun to circulate.
This book is a journal of all events, contacts, notifications, etc... that must be completed in a blink of an eye.

Which company started it, I'm not sure. I do know it is delivered to any company suffering a LODD by the last company to suffer the same.

The mourning process in our job doesn't begin until our brothers are buried. Prior to that we are all to busy to mourn. This may be our best therapy.

[NUMBY]

Fortunately, we have not had to deal with this since sometime back in the 50's. Recently there was a LODD in our area and we realized that we need to establish a more formal policy. A good place to research this topic is www.fallen-firefighter.com

[R.G. SMITH]

FIRST OF ALL TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE LOST A BROTHER OR SISTER, YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. I HAVE JUST BEGUN LOOKING AT OUR FUNERAL SOP'S I WAS NOMINATED BECAUSE MY FATHER IS A FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND I GREW UP AROUND IT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION HAS A PROTOCOL BOOK WRITTEN FOR LODD. I HAVEN'T CHECKED YET BUT I CAN LET YOU KNOW. OUR STATE FIREFIGHTER'S UNION HAS AN EXCELLENT FUNERAL SOP THAT IS VERY THOROUGH. IT TOUCHED ON SO MANY THINGS SUCH AS WHO IS TO NOTIFY THE FAMILY AND HOW. IF FOR INSTANCE THE FALLEN FIREFIGHTER AND THE CHIEF NEVER GOT ALONG, IT MIGHT NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO NOTIFY THE NEXT OF KIN, ALSO IF ANY FAMILY MEMBER HAS KNOWN PAST MEDICAL HISTORY SUCH AS HEART PROBLEMS, YOU MAY WANT A MEDIC UNIT STAGED A BLOCK OR SO AWAY. I AM NOT WELL VERSED IN IT BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ WE MAY NEED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE MEDICAL EXAMINER (AS UNPLEASANT AS MAY BE) TO MAKE SURE ALL PROPER TESTS ARE PERFORMED DURING THE AUTOPSY TO MAKE SURE THE FAMILY GETS ALL THE BENEFITS THEY ARE ENTITLED TO. IT IS PROBABLY A STATE BY STATE ISSUE. CHECK WITH ANY STATE ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS YOUR LOCAL CLERGY. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE, LIKE THE OTHERS HAVE SAID, ALWAYS KEEP THE FAMILY WISHES ABOVE OUR OWN. STAY SAFE