
The AGEG Board of Directors encourage all funeral service professionals to follow Federal and State orders, follow CDC guidance, and practice best practices. We encourage you to share all guidance and information immediately with your staff. There are numerous printable resources for your use in your funeral home and share with your staff and the families you serve.
As the situation is rapidly changing, so does the guidance and information about COVID-19, including details about the vaccines. We closely monitor federal, state, and other agencies for new or revised information and guidance. As it becomes available, AGEG members are updated by email and this page is updated. While we do our best to post guidance and information in real time, the links will take you directly to the individual websites to ensure the most accurate and timely information is accessible.
Recent Updates Regarding COVID-19 for Funeral Service are Highlighted Below.
For additional information and guidance, visit the drop down windows.
Updated Funeral Service Professionals COVID-19 Vaccine Access
COVID-19 Vaccines in Georgia
Register for a COVID Vaccine
Search the Vaccine Locator - CLICK HERE
Health Department Scheduling - CLICK HERE
Kroger Health - CLICK HERE
Ingles Pharmacy - CLICK HERE
Publix Pharmacy - CLICK HERE
U-Save-It Pharmacy - CLICK HERE
CVS Pharmacy - CLICK HERE
Walgreens Pharmacy - CLICK HERE
Walmart Pharmacy - CLICK HERE
Georgia Mass Vaccination Site Registration
COVID-19 vaccines continue to arrive in Georgia in extremely limited supply. As we await additional vaccine supply from the Federal Government, we urge currently eligible Georgia residents to pre-register today for one of the available mass vaccination sites in our state.
Learn more and register - CLICK HERE
Health Department Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line
COVID-19 Vaccine General FAQ
This information is based on currently available evidence, resources, information, emergency use authorization and expert opinion and is subject to change. As additional evidence regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccine for individuals emerges, it will be necessary to modify this content.
Click below to open / close the drop down windows
For more information for your health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CLICK HERE
For testing information, visit our Georgia Department of Public Health drop down window below.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Because the U.S. supply of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be limited at first, CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. CDC’s recommendations are based on those from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent panel of medical and public health experts.
The recommendations were made with these goals in mind:
While CDC makes recommendations for who should be offered COVID-19 vaccine first, each state has its own plan for deciding who will be vaccinated first and how they can receive vaccines. Please contact your local health department for more information on COVID-19 vaccination in your area.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Pfizer Patient Fact Sheet
Find patient fact sheet information in additional languages at FDA-Pfizer or download the English version below.
Moderna Patient Fact Sheet
Find patient fact sheet information in additional languages at FDA-Moderna or download the English version below.
Georgia Department of Public Health
Are Vaccines Safe?
The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Learn more about
Georgia Board of Funeral Service - CLICK HERE
COVID-19 INFORMATION
On January 29, 2021 Governor Kemp signed an Executive Order, which will terminate on February 15, 2021 at 11:59pm, requiring that all businesses, residents, and visitors of the State of Georgia practice social distancing and refrain from gathering in groups of fifty (50) persons or more unless they are able to maintain a distance of six (6) feet or more between each other, and encouraging all residents and visitors to wear face coverings while outside their homes or place of residence. The Board encourages licensees to continue to support one another, be mindful of potential exposure, and use best practices to prevent infection and help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Click HERE for up to date information and guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health, including Funeral and Mortuary Science Guidance, which can be found HERE.
Click HERE for up to date information and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including information for Funeral Home Workers, which can be found HERE, and Funeral Guidance for Individuals and Families, which can be found HERE.
To report issues of noncompliance with any of the executive orders you should call the state's hotline at 844-442-2681. The hotline can be used for asking about symptoms related to COVID-19, finding out if someone should get tested, reporting possible scams related to COVID-19, and alerting the state about non-compliant businesses.
VACCINES
The Board has been in communication with the Georgia Department of Public Health and have confirmed that funeral service staff will be in group 1B for COVID vaccine distribution, along with other non-healthcare essential workers. DPH will be releasing more information as they get closer to distributing to group 1B, and once vaccines are available to group 1B eligible individuals will be able to schedule an appointment with the vaccination site directly, a list of which is regularly updated and available through DPH’s website. Vaccine supply is very limited and virtually all sites are administering vaccines by appointment only. For questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine only (not for scheduling appointments for vaccination) you can contact (888) 357-0169.
IMPACT ON TESTING
Pearson VUE resumed full testing on May 1, 2020, though there is limited test center capacity for scheduling to enforce social distancing. For the most up-to-date ICFSEB COVID-19 information click HERE, and for updates from Pearson VUE click HERE.
PSI test centers began reopening on May 1, 2020. Test sites are reopened where city, county, and state jurisdictions will allow, however, as the safety of candidates and PSI’s employees remain a top priority, sites will only be open for scheduling at 50% of their capacity in order to enforce social distancing procedures. PSI has also enacted a number of new policies surrounding enhanced sanitation procedures, allowable personal protective equipment for candidates, and flexible rescheduling. PSI is now mandating that ALL candidates wear face masks at all times while in the test center. If a candidate fails to bring and wear a face mask during the examination, they will be requested to leave the test site. An outline of the steps being taken to ensure candidate and employee safety can be found HERE. It is important to note that due to the backlog of candidates and testing centers operating at reduced capacity, scheduling availability may not be immediate. Situations are arising where candidates need to be rescheduled to ensure procedures are adhered to. When a cancellation must happen, PSI will begin rescheduling candidate appointments by most recently scheduled, prioritizing candidates that have held their appointments the longest. Please check your email and voicemails routinely to review any pertinent exam appointment communication from PSI and avoid unnecessary travel. For questions, PSI can be best reached at 855-744-0314.
Board Office Operations Update
In response to Governor Kemp’s recommendation that state employees work remotely, the Professional Licensing Boards Division has implemented telework options for its staff. Effective March 16th, the Professional Licensing Boards Division will be closed to visitors. Constituents are encouraged to utilize web resources for online transactions and to answer frequently asked questions. For additional information you may contact the call center at 404-424-9966. Staff will be available to provide guidance by email.
Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) - CLICK HERE
COVID-19 Information and Guidance
COVID-19 Testing in Georgia
If You're Sick or Exposed to COVID-19
PPE NEEDS - Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) - District Health Office Directory -
It is important to contact your county’s office directly to inquire about their capabilities to issue death certificate and local mandates or orders which may affect your business.
In addition, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, with the assistance of the Georgia Department of Public Health, continues to request PPE supplies through the Federal system. To notify officials of your PPE needs.
Request for Status of Morgue Bed Availability
Facilities with morgues have been asked by the Department of Public Health (PDH) to update their morgue bed availability status daily by visiting the Morgue Availability Reporting Tool- for emergency use HERE. This is the morgue bed availability reporting tool used to report daily availability, normal and surge capacities, location and points of contact which can be completed on a phone, laptop or desktop computer. The information collected may be used by emergency managers to help support each other during these turbulent times.
Georgia State Office of Vital Records - CLICK HERE
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING COVID-19
Greetings from the State Office of Vital Records,
We understand that many other offices have closed, or limited their functions to essential services due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
For Vital Records, we would consider the top priority essential services to be 1) Issuing disposition permits, and 2) registering death records. We believe that these functions can largely be accomplished through e-mail, fax, or online through GAVERS.
A secondary priority would be issuing certified copies of birth and death records. If a county has access to their facility in order to print records, we ask that they consider issuing certificate orders by mail. That will limit the visitors to the building, but still allow customers to receive their certificates.
Lastly, good communication will be crucial during this time. We ask that county registrars communicate any changes in local operations to stakeholders like funeral directors, coroners, and birth hospitals. Please be alert for any additional communications from Georgia DPH and the State Office of Vital Records. We will share more information as it becomes available. The response to COVID-19 is changing rapidly, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
Sincerely,
Chris Harrison
Guidance for Certifying COVID-19 Deaths
AGEG has received questions regarding the Guidance for Certifying COVID-19 Deaths. We have been in communication with Chris Harrison, MPH, Georgia State Registrar, Deputy Director. Please review the additional information from Mr. Harrison below.
Generally speaking COVID-19 should not be on line A. If COVID-19 is the underlying cause of death it would be listed on the lowest line used of lines A-D. In the attached guidance document that we sent there was screenshot that showed COVID-19 listed on line B (it doesn’t seem to have the screenshot in the scan you sent). None of the guidance we have sent or shared from the CDC has COVID-19 on the first line.
The way to think of the cause of death lines is:
The patient died of Line A, which was cause by Line B, which was caused by Line C, which was caused by Line D.
A sequence for a COVID-19 death could be something like:
acute respiratory failure (line A), which was caused by pneumonia (line B), which was caused by COVID-19 (line C).
If COVID-19 were listed on the first line, it would mean the COVID-19 was caused by acute respiratory failure, which doesn’t make sense and wouldn’t be accurate.
Chris Harrison, MPH
State Registrar
Deputy Director, Data Integrity & Analytics
State Office of Vital Records
Georgia Department of Public Health
CLICK HERE to utilize the links included in the guidance and for a printable version.
Governor Brian P. Kemp - CLICK HERE
Renewing the Public Health State of Emergency in response to COVID-19
It is ordered that the Public Health State of Emergency shall terminate on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 11:59 PM, unless it is renewed by the Governor.
Providing additional guidance for Empowering a Healthy Georgia in response to COVID-19
It is ordered that unless otherwise noted, the provisions contained in the Order shall be effective from March 1, 2021, at 12:00 AM until March 15, 2021, at 11:59 PM, unless it is renewed by the Governor.
Funeral Service Professionals should note the following items from this Executive Order
II. Definitions
ATTENTION: Critical Infrastructure that continue in-person operation during the effective dates of this Order shall implement measures to mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19. Such measures may include, but shall not be limited to the items included in Section V. Industry, Commerce, Organizations & Non-Profits, which shall be implemented to the maximum extent practicable.
Mortuary services are a Critical Infrastructure as determined by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These businesses must continue to operate with social distancing and sanitation rules to keep customers and employees safe. Mortuary service providers, such as:
Remember to review guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well.
Additional Resources:
Georgia Department of Economic Development: COVID-19 Updates and Information, including Critical Infrastructure details: click HERE
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19: click HERE
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): click HERE
Reporting a Possible Violation of Governor Kemp’s Executive Orders
If you are reporting a possible violation of Governor Kemp’s Executive Orders please contact:
For all non-urgent requests, please continue to contact Constituent Services through their online form found HERE
COVID-19 Hotline: (844) 442-2681
The hotline can be used for asking about symptoms related to COVID-19, finding out if someone should get tested, reporting possible scams related to COVID-19, and alerting the state about non-compliant businesses.
ADDITIONAL STATE RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CLICK HERE
Guidelines / Information
The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)
CDC's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is Available for Notification/Urgent Consultation
Medical examiners, coroners, and pathologists should immediately notify their local or state health department in the event of the identification of a deceased person with known or suspected COVID-19. State and local health departments who have identified a deceased known or suspected COVID-19 case can notify CDC’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 770-488-7100 for urgent consultation if an autopsy is being considered or submission of autopsy tissue specimens or postmortem swabs to CDC for COVID-19 testing is desired. The EOC will assist local/state health departments to collect, store, and ship specimens appropriately to CDC, including during afterhours or on weekends/holidays.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - CLICK HERE
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - CLICK HERE
As always, we caution you to be aware of email and phone scams. If you receive an email which seems suspicious don't click on links or open attachments. Note the email address associated with the message or phone number associated with the call.
From FEMA - Coronavirus Rumor Control
There have been reports that scammers are pretending to be the government, contacting people by robocall, text message, email and other outreach. These scammers say they can get people financial help during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then ask for money or personal information, like your Social Security, bank account or credit card number. This is a SCAM.
Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help and then asks for money or personal information. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. The Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, U.S. Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control staff never charge for disaster assistance.
The Federal Trade Commission scams page has tips to help you avoid scams online, on the phone, by text and through email. If you see a scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov/complaint.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - CLICK HERE
Order printed copies of OSHA COVID-19 posters and guidance booklets for your workplace. All items are free and available in multiple languages. Visit HERE, OSHA’s publications page, to place an order.
World Health Organization (WHO) - CLICK HERE
ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RESOURCES
AGEG provides COVID-19 information as a service to funeral service professionals. AGEG Members receive AGEG News emails directly with guidance, information and resources critical to their business during the pandemic. If you’ve found the information useful, we hope you will join AGEG. CLICK HERE for our 2021 membership form or contact the AGEG office.
Click below to open / close the drop down windows
"Embalming COVID-19: Infection Control and Storage"
Pierce Chemical's COO, Lance Ray and Dr. Jzyk Ennis, PhD have recently discussed what embalmers should be thinking about as they plan to handle their first case of COVID-19. Dr. Ennis makes some great points and offers some new thoughts on the safe care of the deceased under these circumstances.
CLICK HERE to view their article.