2025 -PIMS Best Practices 102

Find the Application Form Below the Description

Friday, December 12, 2025

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science

5808 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Alumni Hall

 

1. Implanted medical devices and what you need to know / Is your case radioactive ? (2 hours)

2. Reverent Care, the Influence of Mindset, and Tissue Donation (2 hours) 

3. PA Mandated Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect  (2 hours.)

Cost

PIMS is pleased to offer this 6-hour seminar which includes all program materials and refreshments. 

Tuition: $125 (if received by December 1, 2025)

$150 for onsite registration (if space is available)

Admission

Seating for this program is limited to licensed embalmers and licensed funeral directors, funeral service interns, and funeral service students. 

(PIMS students are welcome to participate at no charge.  Other funeral service students and interns will be admitted at a nominal $35 charge).

Refunds

A full refund will be issued if registration is canceled by December 1, 2025.  

No refund will apply after that date.

 

Program Approvals

Application has been made for approval of 6.0 CEUs to the following organizations:

• Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors
• West Virginia Board of Funeral Service Examiners
• Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors of Ohio

About the Sessions

1). Implanted medical devices and what you need to know / Is your case radioactive ?

A discussion of battery powered devices and how to manage them in decedent care: Pacemaker vs AICDs and other devices.

A discussion of the increasing use of radioactive medical therapy that may impact plans for final disposition: Radioactive therapy, medical isotopes, half life, Pluvicto (lutetium 177)

2). Reverent Care, the Influence of Mindset, and Tissue Donation

The reverent care of the deceased which includes: ethics, human dignity, the modesty cloth, the hands of humanity and a moment of silence is discussed.  How the influence of the embalmer’s mindset affects the process including the pausing of external influences, being present, and the how the word choice matters. 

Also discussed the donation conversation. Here is where we will define the authorizing party and first-person authorization, why are recovered tissues called “gifts”, the tissue donation conversation with donor families, and the discussion of open casket viewing and final disposition. 

Practical issues such as the notification to Funeral Home of the potential donor and what is a “HOLD” and why is it necessary. Cooling the potential donor to preserve the option for donation is the philosophy of maximizing gifts.  We will talk about the recovery procedure & embalmer support, and reimbursement for additional time and resources.

Graft Utilization including an overview of various graft types and uses, the fiber processing – radius and ulna, and specialty grafts – matching the needs of a recipient to a specific donor. 

As a bonus we will address a few good practices to adopt such as : personal protection for the embalmer and the public, How to choose instruments vs. fingers, the exposure reduction during cavity treatment, the “Postmortem Haircut”, and concealing suture knots.  We will also leave enough time for final remarks and questions.

3). PA Mandated Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

This is a 2-hour course (Students or Interns need a three-hour course for state licensure)

The Child Protective Services Law and The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, in conjunction with the Department of Human Services and Department of State, are required to enforce the Child Protective Services Law as it pertains to Act 31 – Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect.

 

About the Presenters

Jeffrey Bellefleur, B.S., M.S., M.D. 
graduated from medical school in 1990. After two years in a residency in OB/Gyn, he completed a residency in Anesthesiology, followed by a fellowship in pediatric anesthesia at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He remained at CHM as a member of the cardiac and spinal fusion teams. Dr. Bellefleur was recruited to Willian Beaumont hospital in Royal Oak Michigan where he practiced for twenty years until his retirement in 2020. During his tenure at Beaumont, he was the division chief for several years. His  interest in funeral service and embalming began at the age of ten and was further fostered when he became friends with Sharon Gee-Mascarello in 2013 after meeting her in Johannesburg Africa.  He is an editorial consultant on the 6th edition of “Embalming”. He advocates for enhancing a better relationship between medicine and funeral service in hopes of providing excellent care for patients at the end of their lives.

Sharon L. Gee-Mascarello 

is primary author/editor of the textbook, Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice, Sixth Edition (McGraw-Hill Education, 2022). In the Spring of 2026, she will be recognized by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) for reaching the milestone of 40 years as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Gee-Mascarello holds the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) through the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Gee-Mascarello is nationally recognized for her presentations and articles that reinforce the relevance of caring for, honoring, and viewing our deceased.

Gee-Mascarello retired from the Mortuary Science Program at Wayne State University, Detroit after 24 years as the Instructor of Embalming. Wayne State University named Gee-Mascarello Educator of the Year. 

She is a current member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, NFDA, and the Ohio Embalmers Association. She holds the distinction of Mortuary Educator of the Year from the 100 Black Women of Funeral Service.

Gee-Mascarello is a registered organ, tissue, and eye donor. She applauds funeral service colleagues who work in partnership with Organ Procurement Organizations (OPO’s) to honor life through donation. 

Michael Burns

Michael Burns, CFSP, is the Dean of Faculty and Students at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He has been licensed for over 35 years. After earning his master’s in adult education and training, he joined the PIMS staff. During the last few years, he has taught numerous online and on-campus courses. In addition, he is the school’s Care Center supervisor, and facilitated the redesign of the new Restorative Art lab at the school. Dean Burns is also the InSight Institute Certified Celebrant trainer and is certified to present on Child Abuse Recognition by the state of PA. 

Nicholas Ricci

Nick has been an instructor at PIMS since February 2016 and moved into the position as a full-time faculty member in July 2019. He teaches several business courses at PIMS and specializes in the Arts portion of the curriculum. Nick is a graduate the Concord Law School, a program through Purdue University School of Law, Duquesne University School of Business; and a  graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Nick is also an instructor in the clinical embalming and restorative art lab experiences at PIMS.