When a loved one dies, family members must make a number of important decisions under emotional strain. The resulting costs can be high. Price shopping funeral items and services can uncover savings without compromising final arrangements.
The Board registers embalmers and funeral directors, investigates complaints, and inspects funeral homes for regulatory adherence. It also oversees educational and training programs.
Licensed Funeral Directors
Licensed funeral directors provide support and guidance to individuals and families at one of the most difficult times in life. They must be sensitive to the unique needs of every family, and they must uphold high standards of ethical conduct in their dealings with customers. They also must be trained in grief counseling, which can help clients find hope and healing amidst their loss.
Licensing requirements for funeral directors vary by state. However, all license holders must meet educational and professional requirements in order to be licensed. The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards oversees the licensure process and administers the National Board Examination.
Licensed funeral directors must have a funeral establishment, which is the facility where they conduct viewings and visitations. They must be registered with the Department of Health to operate their business. If they are located near the border of another state, they may be able to use a reciprocal agreement with that jurisdiction to make removals or accompany bodies to cemeteries and crematories.
Licensed Embalmers
Licensed embalmers perform tasks that preserve a dead body. They apply restorative and cosmetic techniques and ensure rules and regulations for preventing the spread of infection are met. They also interact with clients and families who are grieving.
Becoming a licensed embalmer requires specific steps, including earning an associate degree in mortuary science and working as an apprentice with a seasoned embalmer. Licensing requirements vary by state. Once licensed, a funeral home will hire an embalmer to work in their funeral home.
The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards develops and administers exams for embalmers and funeral directors. The exams include subjects such as funeral services law and merchandising, sociology and psychology and embalming.
Licenses for embalmers and funeral directors must be renewed annually. In some states, the Department of Public Health (DPH) investigates complaints against these professionals. Those investigations are often conducted by the DPH Practitioner Investigations area, which has a full-time inspector/investigator dedicated to embalmers and funeral homes.
Licensed Cemeteries
In times of grief and confusion, consumers are particularly vulnerable to misleading practices by unethical funeral homes or cemetery providers. DPOR helps clients avoid these traps by regulating the cemeteries it licenses.
Licensed cemeteries must provide a written General Price List and an itemized statement of charges for services and property. They also must maintain trust fund accounts. Those that sell pre-need burial contracts must also submit comparative balance sheets and review reports prepared by a certified public accountant to the Department. Family-owned and non-profit cemeteries and those owned by churches, religious societies, established fraternal organizations or governmental entities are exempt from licensure.
The mission of the Office of Cemetery Oversight is to ensure high standards of performance in the death care industry; enhance healthy economic competition; promote consumer confidence in burial goods products and services; and provide structure and oversight for pre-planning arrangements. The office also provides a responsive complaint/resolution process for consumers and operates a fair and effective regulatory enforcement system for cemeteries, monument dealers, and sellers of burial goods and crematories that are subject to the office’s jurisdiction.
Licensed Funeral Insurance
Funeral insurance, also known as burial life insurance or final expense insurance, is a niche within the life insurance industry that allows individuals and families to prearrange and prepay for their funerals and cremations. Preplanning is an important part of the grieving process and helps alleviate future financial burdens for loved ones.
These policies can be a great alternative to prepaid funeral services and may be more affordable than traditional life insurance. However, you should consider whether the proceeds of the policy will be sufficient to pay for your funeral expenses.
Burial insurance is usually sold by licensed agents and brokers. The agents will ask you questions about your health and answer any additional questions about your finances and lifestyle to help you choose the right policy for your needs. These plans typically do not require a medical exam and offer coverage up to age 85. They can be a good option for those who would have difficulty getting a conventional life insurance policy due to their age or health status.