|
MABAS Division 41 News |
|
MABAS 41 - Funeral Outline
MABAS DIVISION 41
FUNERAL COMMITTEE GUIDELINES INTRODUCTION
The Funeral Committee is there to provide assistance to both the family and the department affected. The following
are some of the roles and responsibilities that members of the Committee can help with. These responsibilities are to begin
when the President of the Division or his designee informs the Committee of the passing of a member. The EC is responsible overall
management of the event. The EC is a resource the department. The EC should contact the Chief of the hosting department as
soon as possible to determine a Family Liaison. Some of the things the EC should over see include: q
Posting of casket guards at the service/visitation. These can be members of other departments
or the military if the fallen was a veteran q
Pallbearers Unless the family has already chosen
the EC should ensure that there are adequate personnel available q
Folding/ Presentation of Flag q
Blowing of Taps/ Bagpipers q
Forming and leading a procession q
Performance of the q
Any additional services or materials the family or department request Remember, the EC is to assist the family
and the stricken department. You are there to make sure things go smoothly. FAMILY
LIAISON
The Family Liaison (FL) should be a member of the host department and agreed upon by the family. Since the Chief of
the affected department will be extremely busy, the FL should be another member of the department. The FL should coordinate
with the EC to ensure that the family’s wishes are being met. Remember we are there to assist the department and the
family during one of the most traumatic times they will ever face.
The FL may help the family determine the following: 1.
Level of fire department involvement 2.
If the deceased will be buried in uniform ( if so ensure that the uniform is correct; i.e. name tag, collar
pins) 3.
If other services (military, social clubs) wish to be involved,
coordinate their efforts with the EC The FL will be the main point of
contact between the EC and the family. FUNERAL
HOME COORDINATOR The FHC duties
include working with the funeral director and FL to ensure that the family’s wishes are being met as far as the memorial
service is concerned. Additional duties include: 1.
If there is an honor guard for the casket, a room where member can change into their uniforms or relax. 2.
If fire apparatus are to be used, the placement of the apparatus at the funeral home. 3.
Coordinate fire service walk through time ( if it will be different than civilian walk through) with the funeral
director 4.
Seating arraignments for uniformed personnel 5.
Develop a schedule for uniformed personnel at the funeral home
including: A. Arrival Time
B. Where to gather
C. Develop a formation for removal of coffin if Uniformed
people are involved
D. Briefing of proper protocols for entering and leaving the
Funeral
home PROCESSION
COORDINATOR
The Procession Coordinator (PC) has the primary responsibility of coordinating the funeral procession. The following
duties fall within the PC’s responsibilities: 1.
Staging of Fire Apparatus at the site of the memorial service 2.
Will the procession involve walking 3.
Ensure all drivers know the route to the place of internment 4.
Placement of Aerials if they are to display the Flag 5.
6.
Bunting is placed on Lead Fire Apparatus 7.
The protocol for aligning vehicles in a funeral procession is as follows Escort car Flower caisson Hearse of Fire Apparatus (if used
for carrying the casket) Immediate family Pall Bearers and Honor Guard Friends of the family in private
vehicles Chief of Department Host Department Apparatus Local Police Department vehicles Community Leaders Other Fire Apparatus Other Police Departments Other municipal vehicles Rear Police vehicles CHURCH
COORDINATOR The Church
Coordinator (CC) is responsible for coordinating all activities and ceremonies at the church. Some of the responsibilities
include but are not limited to: 1.
Ceremonial item needed (bell, pre folded flag) 2.
Any special needs the family have 3.
Dedicated seating for Pall Bearers CEMETERY
COORDINATOR The Cemetery
Coordinator is responsible for coordination and preparation of the events from the time the procession vehicle are stopped
and people exit them. The CeC is also the liaison with the cemetery operators. Other things to consider include: 1.
Coordinate with Veterans Organizations if involved 2.
Stage Bagpipers/ Buglers if they are being used 3.
Area for the Honor Guard 4.
5.
If ceremonial items are to be presented at the ceremony make sure they are readily available. CONCLUSION
The MABAS 41 funeral committee is there to make sure the wishes of the family are followed to the best of our ability.
We are there as support and aid for the family and the stricken fire department.
These guidelines are just that. We are there for the family. It would be great if all these jobs are filled and everything
goes smoothly. But we all know that it probably will not, and there will not be enough people to cover all the needed jobs.
Just remember if we do our best our efforts will be appreciated.
|