Our Code of Good Practice

Our Code of Good Practice In 1965, Selected Independent Funeral Homes developed its Code of Good Practice as the definitive example of our concern for service in the public interest. The Code was updated in 2009 to better reflect the needs of today's consumers. Every day, around the world, our members pledge to uphold the high standards of the Code.

The full text of The Code is shown below. For greater detail on the purpose, function, importance and meaning of each provision in the Code, you can download The Explanatory Guide to the Selected Independent Funeral Homes Code of Good Practice (PDF). It provides concrete examples of what it means to be a Selected firm and why families can depend on Selected members to serve families with compassion and integrity.

Download the Code of Good Practice

Our Code of Good Practice

In accepting our responsibilities, and as a condition of our affiliation with Selected Independent Funeral Homes, we affirm the following standards of good practice and hereby pledge:

As funeral directors, our calling imposes upon us special responsibilities to those we serve and to the public at large. An important obligation is to provide information so that everyone can make knowledgeable decisions about funeral and cremation services.

To provide the public with information about funeral and cremation services, including prices, functions and the responsibilities of funeral directors
To make services available in as wide a range of price categories as necessary to meet the needs of all segments of our community, and to affirmatively extend to everyone the right to inspect and freely consider them all
To quote conspicuously in writing the charge for every arrangement offered, and to clearly identify the services, facilities, equipment and merchandise included in such quotations
To adhere to the highest standard of conduct in all aspects of business
To afford an ongoing opportunity to all persons to discuss or arrange funerals in advance
To ensure that pre-need contracts fully disclose those items which are guaranteed and those which are nonguaranteed, in terms that are clear and easy to understand
To manage prepaid funds responsibly, ensuring that promises are honored and expectations are met, within the letter and spirit of the law
To make no representation, written or oral, which may be false or misleading and to apply a standard of honesty in all dealings
To furnish each family, at the time arrangements are made, with a written memorandum of charges and to make no additional charge without their approval
To respect all faiths, creeds and customs, and to give full effect to the role of the clergy/celebrant
To maintain qualified and competent staff, appropriate facilities and suitable equipment required for comprehensive funeral and cremation services
To assure those we serve the right of personal choice in making service arrangements

We pledge to conduct ourselves at all times in a manner deserving of the public trust, and to provide a copy of this Code of Good Practice to the families we serve.