The Funeral Bureau oversees the entire funeral industry in California, and it also acts as a cemetery licensee. It investigates complaints against funeral directors and cemetery operators. It also publishes a general price list. It is also important for any funeral service provider to obtain a license and follow the laws of the state. Only the Funeral Bureau can issue a burial certificate, so it is important to check with the bureau before you go ahead with a funeral service.
According to a 2010 survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, only 25 percent of adults had made funeral arrangements before, and 66 percent said they would like to arrange the service themselves. In addition to funerals, California cemeteries must comply with Governor Jerry Brown’s Executive Order for a 25 percent reduction in potable water usage through February 2016. If you plan to conduct the funeral yourself, contact the funeral bureau directly to find out how to go about this.
The funeral director should be able to explain all the details of a funeral package, including the cost of each item. Moreover, he should be able to provide a written statement that states exactly what items were chosen and how much each one cost. Although the Board does not regulate funeral home prices, it does provide consumers with the necessary information. And a funeral director can also help arrange third-party services such as cemetery and crematory services, flowers, and obituary notices. Some of these services may require payment ahead of time.
Funeral directors who want to work with people who are dying and their families may want to consider becoming a death doula. These professionals focus on the nonmedical needs of people near death, usually women. They help families plan home funerals, educate the terminally ill and provide advice to families. Funeral directors must meet certain requirements to obtain a license to practice. Applicants must complete an associate’s degree and have a clean criminal history.
The funeral director also provides support to bereaved family members, arranges funeral ceremonies, and handles all the legal documents. The funeral director also helps survivors apply for death benefits and helps them adjust to life without their loved one. In addition, the funeral director is knowledgeable about the deceased body and the processes involved in caring for the body. Using the services of a funeral director will ensure the dignity of the deceased and peace of mind of the family.
Before selecting a funeral home, it is important to check the laws of the state where the deceased is to be buried. In some states, it is illegal to burry a body unless it is embalmed. If embalming is required, the deceased should be embalmed prior to transport. The destination state may also have laws regarding embalming and coffins. You may also need to check local zoning and burial regulations, especially if it is a burial in a cemetery.
Once the body is embalmed, it must be transported to a burial site. In most cases, the funeral director will do this in an open casket funeral. In addition to this, the body must be transported to a cemetery or crematory. If the deceased was a foreign national, the body must be embalmed in the country of residence before the burial takes place.
There are many services that a funeral director can provide. Some services include providing a cemetery monument or cremation urn, which can be placed at the cemetery. A monument is usually made of granite and is engraved with the deceased’s name and date of death. The urn may also be made of natural materials. A monument can be made of stone, concrete, or fiberglass. The urn should be in a niche.