FNA Philosophy:
The philosophy of FNA is simple, basic, powerful and vital to the future of funeral service and the profession of embalming.

• The dead human body is the center of all we do in the funeral service profession.
• Family members and friends of the deceased benefit tremendously from a final viewing of the body, especially when the individual died as a result of sudden traumatic death.
• Embalming is truly a professional skill.
• An Embalmer is a professional in every sense of the word.
• Reconstructive surgery performed on the traumatized deceased that allows for open casket viewing is a unique professional expertise that cannot be provided by any other professional discipline and has an immeasurable value for families.
• Continued post-graduate education coupled with improved hands-on skills is vital to the professional embalmer.

FNA is dedicated to providing quality post-graduate embalmer education and to the enhancement, development and application of new, innovative embalming techniques. It is further dedicated to the improvement of the skill level of professional embalmers worldwide.

 Why is viewing of the deceased so valuable to the family & friends?

• First, we must consider how we were raised.  Every person was taught from infancy that the polite and proper thing to do was to say two things "Hello" when we meet someone and "Good-Bye" or "Bye-Bye" when we departed their presence.

• Second, we acknowledge contact with another person in many ways dependent upon the culture.  Our tradition in the US is to shake hands, give hugs, etc. to acknowledge another person.

• Third, when we leave the presence of another person we shake hands, give hugs but most importantly we say "Good-Bye" just as we were taught as a toddler.

• Fourth, when some dies suddenly the family and friends have a basic but very distinctive human need to say "Good-Bye".

1. Viewing of the body provides the family and friends with the confrontation that death has in fact occurred - seeing is believing.

2. Without viewing it can be difficult for the family and friends to persuade their own mind that their loved one or close friend is gone.  These mind sets of denial can cause a person to continually expect their deceased loved one to someday "just walk through the door."

3. Viewing the body is a very special time that allows the family and friends to begin the transition into their new life.  That new life is continuing to live onward without the presence of their loved one.

4. The Visitation or Viewing time is a very important time since it allows the family and friends to say goodbye to the deceased in their own personal way. During this time the family members and friends that gather can support each other with the grieving process. It is a time for remembering, expressing love, sharing tears and condolences by all.

5. Regardless of the method chosen for final disposition of the body a public visitation can be of great help to family and friends in dealing with the grieving and mourning process. Viewing of the body should always be considered before final disposition.

6. Open casket viewing is THE Most Personalized part of any funeral ritual or ceremony. Not having the body present at a funeral ceremony or ritual is like having a wedding ceremony without the bride or groom being present.

Possible Open-Casket Viewing Option when Disfiguring Injuries Occur

In some situations the family of the deceased may wish to have open-casket viewing even following severe traumatic injuries to their loved one.   In this case the embalmer will need to repair the injuries.  This procedure can be referred to as post mortem reconstructive surgery.  In some situations the severe disfiguring injuries may exceed the skill level of the funeral home staff.   In this case the family may request that the funeral home contact an embalmer that specializes in post mortem reconstructive surgery to evaluate the injuries.  If necessary, an outside specialist may be hired to restore the deceased to a viewable state. Exercising this option is often more desirable than closing the casket and never seeing a loved one again.

• Did You Know?
  Vernie Fountain has been a licensed embalmer for over 30 years and specializes in Post Mortem Reconstructive Surgery. In addition to teaching his successful techniques at FNA seminars, state and national conventions around the U.S. and abroad, he has been called upon by funeral homes to reconstruct some of the most difficult head injury cases.  He will travel to your firm to reconstruct a crushing head injury case, or will offer an initial telephone consultation with no obligation to you.

• History of Fountain National Academy
  
  Vernie R. Fountain, Founder, Embalmer, Reconstructive Specialist, CFSP
•                                         Certified Funeral Service Practioner (CFSP)

• Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills is the culmination of several years of planning, dreaming, and recognizing the need for an institution of learning that goes beyond Mortuary School. Formal training in embalming technique is limited to personal trail and error, seeking advice from other professionals, or attendance at a chemical company sponsored seminar. Though all methods are adequate and admirable approaches for the practicing embalmer, each method leaves a void in accomplishing the true goal. F.N.A. undertakes the endeavor to complete and enhance the skills of the embalmer to maximum benefit. Our goal is to convert the closed casket situation into an open casket situation.
• Vernie Fountain, FNA Founder, recognized the need for continuing education for the professional embalmer. Through several years of preparatory work, anticipating the demand, and formalizing the concept, Fountain National Academy was instituted in May of 1990. Dedicated to Excellence in Embalming Skills, Fountain National Academy launched a series of embalming seminars that focused entirely upon enhancing the skills of the licensed embalmer.
• Advanced medical techniques have created a myriad of conditions that have complicated the basic embalming procedure. Vernie Fountain has developed procedures and techniques that have proven successful in many of these areas and is constantly developing new methods of addressing further embalming or reconstructive complications.
• The purpose of Fountain National Academy is to bring together a group of dedicated professionals to enhance and fulfill their desires to become masters of their profession. Communication and exchange of ideas through Fountain National Academy will bring about solutions to many of the difficulties experienced by the embalmer. It is through its annual series of technical embalming seminars, presentations at conventions, continuing education workshops and Funeral Home In-House Training that F.N.A. is able to teach these specialized skills and techniques that will enable the embalmer to better meet the challenges of their profession.
• Since its inception Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills has conducted numerous educational seminars in the United States, England, Australia, Puerto Rico, Philippines, South America and China.  Embalmers from the United States, Canada, Australia, Korea, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Germany, France, Seychelles, Grenada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Denmark and the Czech Republic have attended FNA Seminars.
• Please allow me to introduce you to F.I.R.M.
  F.I.R.M., or Forensic Investigative Resources of the Midwest, is a Licensed and Insured Private Investigation Agency specializing in death investigation and some other types of cases.
• As former Chief Death Investigator for a Medical Examiner's Office I witnessed situations in which families were not satisfied with the initial death investigation. In many cases family members would seek an outside entity such as a private investigator to perform an independent investigation. Oftentimes an inexperienced investigator would leave the family with little more than frustration and several hundred, perhaps even thousands of dollars worth of bills for work which didn't provide any new information.

• Facts, truths and circumstances surround every death event. F.I.R.M. can provide a thorough secondary investigation, exhumation of the body, a second autopsy by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist, and can assemble a Forensic Team as necessary. It is prudent to note that facts are facts and F.I.R.M. does not guarantee its investigation will yield evidence   that will alter the official cause or manner of death. However, our investigation may uncover useful evidence to answer questions and provide supporting evidence for legal process by an attorney.
• If you know a concerned family or attorney and feel they would benefit from our services please give them our name and phone number. The initial consultation is free of charge.
• Sincerely,
  Vernie Fountain, Chief Investigator
  Phone Number (417) 833-5130