Funeral Homes and Biomedical Waste

2018/10/02

Funeral Homes and Biomedical Waste

Most employees who work in a funeral home will come in contact with the bodies of those who have passed away on a daily basis. There are a lot of strong chemicals and biomedical waste involved in the handling and preparation of a body for funeral services and burial. Let’s take a look at the different kinds of medical waste that come from funeral homes and get a better understanding of why it’s so important to dispose of this waste properly!

Blood

During the embalming process, blood is removed from the body via the deceased’s veins and is replaced with embalming fluid via the arteries. The embalming solution itself contains harsh chemicals, and blood waste generated from the embalming process must be disposed of properly.

Sharps

A clearly labeled sharps container is required for all funeral homes. Scalpels, scissors, trocars, incision needles, and other sharp medical tools are exposed to bodily fluids and chemicals that can be dangerous to those that come in contact with them.

Pharmaceuticals

Many people are sick or in bad health at the time of their death. Someone with cancer who was receiving chemotherapy, for example, may be presented at the funeral home with trace chemotherapy agents present which can be harmful if not handled safely.

Swabs and Dressings

Similar to sharps, these fabrics and dressings become contaminated with bodily fluids and must be disposed of in a safe way so as to not affect the health of or infect funeral home employees.

Masks & Gloves

Gowns, medical gloves, and surgical masks are used by funeral home employees to protect against the spread of disease and infection when working with human bodies. These, too, need to be removed from the facility or funeral home safely once contaminated or exposed to hazardous fluids or chemicals. Funeral home employees have to take special precautions in order to keep themselves safe from disease or bacteria that can be found inside the bodies of the deceased that they work with. Proper biomedical waste removal promotes a clean and safe workplace and helps to greatly reduce the risk of spreading disease.

Are You Looking for a Partner for Your Funeral Home Waste?

By law, funeral homes must work with licensed medical waste removal companies to ensure the proper disposal of all waste that is produced or discarded by those within the facility. BWS is a Baltimore medical waste removal services company with over 70 years combined knowledge and experience in the industry. Contact us today to learn more about our waste disposal services!

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We provide an outstanding value and service to our regulated waste customers and pride ourselves over the last 50 years on our 100% customer satisfaction with 99% customer retention ratio.

“Our office has been utilizing the services of Biomedical Waste Services, Inc. (BWS) for well over a decade. Their caring, dedicated, and professional team have made it an absolute pleasure to do business with. They are always prompt and courteous in providing whatever service we ask of them. We highly recommend them for your practice!!”

Paul R Miller, D.D.S. and Team

“Our experience with BWS has been uniformly positive. Their services are prompt, professional, and reliable. Their prices are fair and upfront, with no hidden or recurring charges. We highly recommend them as a vendor.”

ZytoGen Patient Services

“My review from 2019: Still using BWS and still think they're great! My review from 2016: We've been doing business with BWS for a few years now, and their service and pricing are great. We previously used a company who provides the same service in our area but overcharged us for years. I would definitely recommend BWS to anyone in the market for waste disposal at a great price with excellent service.”

“I have fantastic very dependable experience using BWS. I have used them weekly for the last 17 years in my dental practice. There always on the day that they're supposed to be, there's never been an issue with any of the invoices.”

Akbar Masood, D.D.S.

“BWS has been handling our biohazardous waste disposal for three years. They have always been helpful and dependable. I recommend them to all who need biohazardous waste disposal services.”

Chris Donaldson

“Been working with BWS for 10+ years. Fantastic service, always on time and polite.”

Dharani Jasthi

“Prompt, professional, and awesome business. We have worked with them for years and couldn't be happier.”

Tomicka Jackson-George, D.M.D.

“I've used BWS for several years now. Their service is great and their fees are very reasonable, making BWS a great value in hazardous waste removal.”

Louis Sachs, D.D.S.

“Professional and always on time! Great service!”

Kate Blair English

“Great option for healthcare waste management. BWS is an independent owned professional organization that is built on integrity and trust. There is no other company in the region that I'd recommend more. Most others say the right things the folks at BWS do the right thing. I'll continue to recommend them.”

Dave Ryan

We are a medical practice in a new location and needed hazardous waste removal services. We have been so pleased with the level of service and professionalism on both the admin and field work end of BWS services, and their pricing is fair and flexible. We would highly recommend them to any medical practice in need of these services.

Kerry Owens, Avalon Plastic Surgery

Every staff member that I have interacted with has been very friendly. They are quick to respond to emails and do a great job.

Jamie Fleming, National Spine & Pain Centers

Excellent company. Received notification that I was on schedule, showed up as promised, and very professional service from office to driver. Excellent service!!!

Keith Roberts, Biomatrix Specialty Pharmacy

Great service! They are always responsive and ready to help. 100% recommended.

Mireia Pedragosa Marin, Synergy Research

They were responsive and quickly start services. They were also great at answering all my questions and updating on when services would start.

Rebecca Crouse, Randolph Macon Academy

We used BWS for sharps disposal at a doctor's office. I saw their bright truck in the parking lot at work which lead me to call for a quote. They responded to my inquiry quickly and thoroughly, answering all my questions. They gave me pricing that was very reasonable, and lower than many companies I checked. They were a pleasure to communicate with via phone and email, no phone tag! The truck arrived the day and time we planned. The driver was very personable and easy to communicate with. The people I interacted with seem to understand the value of customer service. I would highly recommend them. They will take care of you.

Melissa C, Patriot Chiropractic

Excellent, professional service and very reasonable price on medical waste removal. Danielle was fantastic to work with - thanks Danielle!

Dr. Rosario Ignacio

Reliable and affordable

Dr. Thomas Lutz, Odenton Family Dentistry

I've used BWS for several years now. Their service is great and their fees are very reasonable, making BWS a great value in hazardous waste removal. Over the 20+ years that I have used them the scope of their services has increased as well as making documentation of their service easier to use!

Dr. Louis Sachs, DDS

I ran a dental charity for many years, organizing huge clinics to treat those in need. BWS donated their waste disposal services for every clinic for many years, and they continue to do so to this day. This is always a huge job, and they are always reliable, dedicated, and fun to work with. They know what it means to give back.

Eric B.

Great service & professional reps

Brenda Shah