May 10, 2001 – Volunteers from the Victim Advocate Program attended a "bereavement seminar" at the Davis Funeral Home Tuesday evening to learn more about the process of arranging funerals and to acquaint themselves with the staff and services of the island's newest mortuary.
Funeral director Philip Davis said he hoped the seminar would help bring greater awareness to the community about the basics of making funeral arrangements.
According to Lynn Falkenthal, Victim Advocate Program executive director, more than 20 advocates volunteer their time to help victims of crime or tragedy in the community. It is not unusual for them to go to the aid of visitors who through accident, illness or crime have lost a loved one while on vacation, she said.
When a visitor dies, advocates provide emotional support to accompanying family members but also seek to assist them in making arrangements to return the body home, she said.
At the workshop, advocates interested in learning more about funeral procedures had many questions about embalming and cremation.
"As a practical matter, almost all bodies in the Virgin Islands are embalmed, although it is not required by V.I. law," Davis said. Embalming is necessary if viewing is desired or if a body is to be transported out of the territory, he said.
There is no crematorium in the Virgin Islands, he noted, and the nearest place where remains can be sent for cremation is Puerto Rico.
In addition to embalming and cremation services, funeral homes also can arrange burials at sea and the scattering of ashes at sea or by air. And appropriate arrangements can be made to accommodate people of different religions. "We cater to the needs of everyone," Davis said.
After the discussion, Davis led the advocates on a tour of the funeral home premises, showing them a chapel and viewing area, the embalming room, the casket room and a flower shop.
Falkenthal and others said they found the visit to be very informative. "I am very impressed," she said.
Davis moved to St. Thomas in 1966 and has since been working as a funeral director in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. He established the Davis Funeral Home on Tortola in 1971; it is now under the management of his wife, Elsa, who is also a funeral director. The duo opened the St. Thomas home on Veterans Drive by the Western Cemetery in December and expect to open a funeral arrangements center and viewing chapel at Four Winds Plaza in Tutu soon.
