About Communicable Diseases

Funeral directors deal with sensitive and profound situations every day — that have to be handled with professionalism and care — with the families and loved ones of the deceased. Communicable diseases are an element of our profession that requires a level of attention and knowledge that protects ourselves, the people that we work with, the rights of the families and the deceased. 


This module will teach you the universal precautions, considerations, and safe handling that must be comprehended to deal with contagious and infectious diseases such as SARS, West Nile Virus, Hepatitis ‘B’, AIDS or HIV, Ebola, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.  


It will also provide you with the knowledge and facts that you need to know in regards to the opioid overdose epidemic that is taking place across North America. 


And lastly, you will finish the chapter with the knowledge you need to feel confident if you encounter highly infectious human remains to ensure the safety of yourself and your staff. 

Course curriculum

  • 1
    Let's Get Started!
  • 2
    CHAPTER 1: Contagious And Infectious Diseases
  • 3
    CHAPTER 2 - THE OPIOID OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC
  • 4
    CHAPTER 3: Handling and Preparation WHO Guidelines of Highly Infectious Human Remains
  • 5
    FINAL ASSESSMENT
  • Before We Begin...
  • Introduction Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Universal Precautions Safe Handling of Human Remains of SARS Patients Safe Handling of Human Remains of SARS Patients (Con't) West Nile Virus Hepatitis ‘B’ AIDS or HIV Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) (Con't) The Ebola Virus Disease The Ebola Virus Disease (Con't) General Test Your Learning
  • Introduction The Opioid Overdose Epidemic The Opioid Overdose Epidemic Protection Guidelines Protection Guidelines (Con't) Protection Guidelines (Con't) Protection Guidelines (Con't) Closing Comments Test Your Learning
  • WHO Guidelines WHO Guidelines WHO Guidelines (Con't) WHO Guidelines (Con't) WHO Guidelines (Con't) WHO Guidelines Con't Closing comments Test Your Learning
  • Instructions Final Assessment

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  • Self-Paced Learning

    Learn at your own pace, proceeding from one topic to the next at a speed that works for you. Your course progress will be saved for when you return.

  • Online Convenience

    A fully online experience. With no required textbook and an online resource library, you can complete this course while on the go.

  • Professional Development

    Supplement your career with continual learning, whether you're new to the funeral profession or a seasoned professional.

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Meet Your Instructor

  • Geoff Carnell

    Instructor & Founder

    Geoff Carnell

    Geoff Carnell entered the funeral profession quite suddenly. After his father died unexpectedly in 1987, Geoff went to their family-owned funeral home to plan his father’s funeral as the new owner. He was 34 and the 6th generation in the family business. As a Professional Engineer, he was able to bring a different perspective to the funeral home profession. Since becoming the full-time president of Carnell’s Funeral Home Ltd. in 1988, he has installed a crematorium, created showrooms for caskets and cremation options, reconfigured and enlarged the on-site chapel, developed a passion for writing about the profession, and published two books: “When the Sun Sets, A guide to Funeral Planning” for a Canadian audience and “The Complete Guide to Funeral Planning, How to Arrange the Appropriate Funeral,” for the American public.