The Bureau licenses and regulates funeral directors, embalmers, mortuary technicians, funeral homes, cemetery districts, and crematories. It also investigates consumer/provider complaints.
A meeting between the family and funeral director to discuss arrangements for a service. Also known as an arrangement conference or visitation.
Services
A professional who prepares the body of a deceased person for funeral ceremonies; arranges memorial services and funeral proceedings; assists survivors in filing claims for benefits; provides education and support to family members and friends. Funeral directors must be licensed and follow health related rules and regulations.
A container that holds the remains after cremation; a casket is sometimes referred to as a vault.
Those who wish to preplan their funeral arrangements should set up a meeting with the funeral director. They will explain options, answer questions and prepare contracts for the goods and services chosen.
Funeral homes often offer payment plans for pre-need services. They may own their own cemetery or work with a monument company. They can also assist with obtaining permits and coordinating with the coroner’s office, as well as obituary listings. Additionally, many funeral homes host planning events, which can be helpful in navigating the details. They can also provide resources for grief support and bereavement programs.
Facilities
The facility where a full-service funeral or cremation takes place. It includes a visitation room, casket selection and viewing area, use of a hearse for transportation to the burial or cremation site, a ceremony in a chapel or other location, and a grave marker.
A legal document signed by a medical professional or coroner that certifies the cause of death. This document is required for the funeral home to process and file with the county clerk’s office and for burial or cremation.
A general price list is an itemized list of goods and services the funeral home offers, along with their current prices. By law, funeral homes must provide this to you prior to your arrangement conference. You may request a copy of this list electronically or in person.
Staff
The staff at a funeral bureau is trained and licensed to provide grief support services, arrange and conduct ceremonies, prepare the body according to wishes of the survivors and requirements of law, secure information for legal documents, assist survivors with filing claims for death benefits, help individuals adapt to life after a loss through after care services. The Bureau licenses and regulates more than 1800 funeral establishments; funeral directors; embalmers and apprentice embalmers; cremated remains disposers, crematories, and hydrolysis facilities; cemetery brokers, salespersons, and managers; and private cemeteries in California. The Bureau also investigates complaints against these licensees. The Bureau’s mission is to advocate consumer protection and licensee compliance through proactive education and consistent interpretation and application of laws governing the death care industry.
Equipment
When making arrangements for a loved one’s funeral, there are many things to remember. This is often done in a time of grief and sorrow, and it can be difficult to keep track of all of the details. It is helpful to write down a list of questions ahead of time so that you don’t forget anything when you visit the funeral home.
There are also some items that should be brought with you to the arrangement conference, including important paperwork such as life insurance policies and military discharge papers. If your loved one did any pre-planning for their funeral, bring those documents as well.
A mortuary requires specialized equipment to prepare and preserve bodies for viewing and services, such as embalming tables and refrigerator units. These units maintain temperatures between 34°F and 38°F to slow decomposition. They also offer a stable surface for staff to dress and arrange the body. These tables are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate larger or smaller caskets.