Formed in 1935, Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) is the only national funeral service organisation with Member firms in every State and Territory. AFDA is a public company, limited by guarantee, that is administered by an elected Board with a National Office and six Divisional Offices.
AFDA Member firms are chosen by more than 60% of families to provide funeral arrangements for their loved ones. AFDA is widely recognised as the authoritative voice on all funeral matters and its key objective is to optimise the funeral experience and ensure quality delivery of service to the wider community by enhancing and promoting professional funeral standards.
Members of the Australian Funeral Directors Association agree to honour the spirit and provisions of the Code and as subscribers to the Code to hereby affirm and accept willingly the responsibilities and privileges that are implied by membership of the Association.
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 AFDA Code of Professional Conduct which lists specific types of conduct that is either required or prohibited.
Ethical Principles are goals that every funeral professional should strive to achieve. They serve as the justification for the specific requirements of the Code of Professional
Conduct. Both the Ethical Principles & the Code of Professional Conduct is binding upon every AFDA Funeral Director and violations may subject the Funeral Director to disciplinary action in accordance with individual State Regulations.
It is the duty of every AFDA Funeral Director to know and strictly adhere to the requirements of the AFDA Code of Professional Conduct for the protection of the families served, the deceased that are cared for, the profession that Funeral Directors dedicate themselves to, the communities in which they live & the importance of their membership of the AFDA and adherence to its Code of Professional Conduct.
Ethical Principle:
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.
1a) Funeral Directors shall provide funeral services to families without regard to religion, race, colour, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability or cause of death.
1b) Funeral Directors shall comply with all applicable Federal or State Laws or regulations relating to the prearrangement and prepayment of funeral services or merchandise.
1c) Funeral Directors shall understand and comply with all applicable Federal and/or State legislation regarding the legal right to enact funerals and the release of deceased.
1d) Funeral Directors shall not use any funeral merchandise that has been previously used.
1e) Funeral Directors shall protect confidential information pertaining to the deceased or the family of the deceased from disclosure.
1f) Funeral Directors shall carry out all aspects of the funeral service in a competent and respectful manner.
1g) Funeral Directors shall properly account for and remit any monies, documents, or personal property that belongs to others that comes into the Funeral Directors possession.
1h) Funeral Directors shall 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.
Ethical Principle:
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.
2a)All deceased persons shall be treated 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.
2b) Only authorised personnel of the funeral home or those persons authorised by the family shall be in attendance during the preparation of the remains.
2c) All deceased persons in the preparation room shall be treated with proper care and dignity and shall be respectfully covered at all times.
2d) Funeral Directors shall not transport, hold or carry out the disposition of human remains without all permits andauthorisations required by law.
2e) Funeral Directors shall not violate any statute, ordinance, or regulation affecting the handling, custody, care or transportation of human remains.
2f) Funeral Directors shall 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.
2g) Only personal items relating to the deceased, or as directed by the family, will be placed inside the coffin.
Ethical Principle:
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.
3a) Funeral Directors shall not engage in any unprofessional conduct which is likely to defraud or deceive the public.
3b) Funeral Directors shall not engage in false or misleading advertising.
3c) Funeral Directors shall 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.
3d) Funeral Directors shall 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.
3e) Funeral Directors shall 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.
Ethical Principle:
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.
4a) Funeral Directors shall not knowingly make or file false records or reports in the practice of funeral service.
4b) Funeral Directors shall comply with all Federal, State or local laws, rules or regulations governing or impacting the practice of funeral service.
4c) Funeral Directors shall comply with all Federal, State or local laws, rules or regulations that were enacted to protect consumers.
4d) Funeral Directors shall comply with all Federal, State or local laws, rules or regulations that were enacted to protect the environment.
Louise and her staff were the perfect guides for this difficult process. They were knowledgeable, considerate, and above all, they listened actively and allowed us to conduct the kinds of funeral rituals that we wanted. I cannot praise them highly enough.
Blue Mountains Funerals were very helpful, considerate, kind, efficient and sensitive to our needs. Would thoroughly recommend them.
Louise and the staff at Blue Mountains funerals were caring and professional, which really helped myself and my family at this time of grief. My mother had a pre-paid and pre-planned funeral arrangement with clear instructions and choices that the staff had on record which made following our mothers wishes comforting and easier at the time. Thank you to all staff for your professional support
Our Mother died under the trying circumstances of Covid19 restrictions. The funeral we had planned for her could therefore not proceed. The staff at Blue Mountains Funerals were exemplary in their care, compassion, empathy and support as well as practicality as we organised a virtual loving farewell for our mother. We have been overwhelmed by the feedback from our family and friends. Much of the credit needs to go to Blue Mountains funerals namely Louise, Rose and Asha for making the virtual option real and personal.
A very caring and supportive company. They made a very sad occasion in very difficult times easy to negotiate.
Blue Mountains Funerals made a very hard time much easier. All the ladies were excellent.
You can be confident that Blue Mountains Funerals will carry out your loved one’s funeral with professionalism, care and concern for your all your wishes to be met. Highly recommended.
The staff at Blue Mountains Funerals were absolutely wonderful! They went above and beyond to ensure my mother’s funeral service was personalised to her. During a time of immense grief, you really need someone who understands what the family needs, and the staff of Blue Mountains Funerals really delivered in terms of service and compassion. Highly recommended!
Thank you for all you have done for us. We did your appreciate your input into our mother’s funeral. You displayed love and concern for us as a family, thank you.
The staff of Blue Mountains Funerals were so sympathetic and sensitive to our needs both at Emu Plains when we visited for my sister to view our mother and on the day of the funeral. They were ready and on hand when we needed to ask for advice on anything.
I would not hesitate in spreading the word to others if they are in need of a funeral to be arranged to use Blue Mountains Funerals.
Kind regards
Heather
“Thank you and the team for all the assistance and genuine thoughtfulness you gave me and the family throughout Joy’s funeral. We’re truly blessed by choosing you guys!”
“Not only were you all very patient but showed compassion in this difficult time. Tom we thank you and all your wonderful staff. The women looked so beautiful on the day and we were all touched at how everything fell into place. We think Dad would have been honoured.“
“Your professionalism, graciousness, love, comfort & support show to us at this most difficult time of losing our beautiful mother will never be forgotten. Every detail was handled with perfection, everything was very well co-ordinated in a very tight timeframe.”
“Words cannot express our thanks and gratitude to you. You kindness and assistance made the day a beautiful memory for us to reflect back on.“
“The funeral service that you put together was absolutely perfect and was exactly what mum would have wanted. Please know that if I ever need a funeral director again you will be my first call.“
Blue Mountains Funerals Springwood
5 Raymond Lane , Springwood, NSW, 2777
Ph: 02 4751 6166
Email: info@bluemountainsfunerals.com.au
Grace Funerals Emu Plains (Sister Company)
61 Great Western Hwy, Emu Plains, NSW, 2750
Ph: 02 4735 6900
Email: info@gracefunerals.com.au
