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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, (THE MAIN TAP ROOT), 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 the acquisition of improved hands-on skills is
vital to the professional embalmer.
FNA is dedicated to providing quality postgraduate 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 the dead body of your loved one or a close friend 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 know that 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 one person to another.
- 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.
- Forth when some dies suddenly the family and friends have a basic but very distinctive human need to say "Good-Bye".
- Viewing of the body provides the family and friends with the direct confrontation of the reality that death has in fact occurred -seeing is believing.
- Viewing of the body minimizes or eliminates future thoughts, mind sets or questions as to whether he or she is really dead. Without viewing it can be difficult for the family and friends to persuade their own mind that their loved one or close friend is really dead. These mind sets of denial can cause a person to continually expect their deceased loved one to someday "just walk through the door".
- Viewing the body is a very special time that allows the family and friends to gather together and begin the transition into their new life. That new life is one without the presence of the deceased.
- Viewing provides a time for family and friends to say Good-Bye to the deceased in their own personal way.
- Regardless of the method chosen for final disposition of the body such as, earth burial, entombment or cremation a time for viewing of the body, a public visitation, can be of great help to family and friends in dealing with the grieving process. Viewing of the body should always be considered as an option before final disposition.
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 for
you. Next time you receive a case with massive head injury
call Fountain to act as your specialist. YOUR CONSULTING
CALL IS WITHOUT OBLIGATION.
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 and the Philippines 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.
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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 |
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