National Funeral Directors Association Statement: Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

The members of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) join with the world community in expressing their heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for coordinating the United States? response to this disaster. Any assistance provided is contingent on requests made by the Japanese government.

NFDA has reached out to its contacts at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services to offer assistance wherever needed.

At this time, mass-fatality management assistance has been not been requested by the Japanese government. Should the situation change, Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT) could be activated.

The Japanese government has requested other forms of assistance; those resources are either en route or already on the ground. Visit the USAID website, www.usaid.gov, for details on the United States? response to the earthquake and tsunami.

NFDA is also reaching out to its contacts in Japan to personally extend the condolences of NFDA members and to determine what assistance the association or its members could provide. Communication channels are somewhat limited and NFDA has not yet received a response. If anyone becomes aware of specific needs, please contact Director of International Relations Debbie Andres at dandres@nfda.org or +1-262-789-1880.

Should NFDA learn of ways that the funeral service community can be of assistance, the association will relay that information via its website, www.nfda.org, and other communication channels.