H.R. 6566: Mass Fatality Planning and Religious Considerations Act

The United States Congress has passed a bill which mandates the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prepare for “mass fatality planning” and funeral homes, cemeteries and mortuaries being “overwhelmed” in the aftermath of a mass terror attack, natural disaster or other crisis.

The bill, H. R. 6566 or the Mass Fatality Planning and Religious Considerations Act, was posted on the govtrack.us website this morning having been approved by the House on September 28.

The legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct FEMA to “provide guidance and coordination for mass fatality planning, and for other purposes.”

Noting the necessity for emergency preparedness in relation to terror attacks, natural disasters and man-made disasters, the bill instructs FEMA to be sensitive to the fact that Jews and Muslims require bodies to be buried within 48 hours of death.

“Funeral homes, cemeteries, and mortuaries could be overwhelmed should mass fatalities arise from a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster,” states the legislation.

Should the bill be given the green light by the Senate, the full amended text to the Homeland Security Act will state;
“Preparedness for Mass Fatalities- In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall provide guidance to and coordinate with appropriate individuals, including representatives from different communities, private sector businesses, non-profit organizations, and religious organizations, to prepare for and respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster that results in mass fatalities.”

“This is just one of those things that makes the stomach turn: the people who brought us the National Defense Authorization Act (authorizing the detention of US citizens on US soil) now deem it prudent to prepare for mass fatalities on US soil,” writes Simon Black.

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So does this mean that they are instructing funeral homes etal. to favor some religions over others.

So does this mean that they are instructing funeral homes etal. to favor some religions over others. Originally Posted by The2Dogs

um no, this is a FEMA thing they have to deal with dead bodies of other faiths.

I don't see what the problem is SEE3772.

From time to time, you get mass deaths. And you have to have a plan in place to deal with all the bodies.

After 9-11, a lot of funeral homes in the NY area were inundated with wakes and funeral services. It was particularly bad in some Catholic parishes where a lot of the dead firemen and police officers lived. They were trying to handle 4 or 5 services a day, where they normally would have 1 or 2.

I understand there were similar problems in New Orleans after Katrina.

So, what's the problem with planning ahead - as opposed to getting caught unprepared YET AGAIN?