The death of a loved one is a traumatic experience. It is important to make arrangements that are meaningful and affordable. You can do this by asking the right questions and comparing prices and services.
New York State law requires that only a licensed funeral director or undertaker can arrange for the transfer, preparation and burial of a dead body. They must also file the death certificate.
Licensed by the State of New York
There are a number of licensing requirements in New York that funeral directors and embalmers must meet. This includes being a registered practitioner and filing death certificates with the Department of Health. Registrants also must have an associate degree in mortuary science and complete 2,000 on-the-job training hours. In addition, they must be supervised by a licensed funeral practitioner.
In order to become a licensed funeral director or embalmer, a person must pass the International Conference of Funeral Service Examination Boards test and have an associate degree in mortuary science from an accredited school. Then, they must complete a one-year apprenticeship or internship and submit 25 case reports. Alternatively, an out-of-state applicant may be eligible for licensure through reciprocity.
A person must be registered as a funeral director or embalmer in order to conduct funeral services, prepare a dead human body for burial or cremation, and make arrangements for the purchase or sale of caskets and funeral merchandise. Registrants must also file death certificates with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Vital Records, Burial Desk.
Licensed by the State of California
If you wish to become a funeral director in California, you must pass the state’s licensing examination. The exam is administered by the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (CFB), which also regulates funeral establishments, licensed funeral directors, embalmers, apprentice embalmers, crematory managers, and cemetery salespersons in the state.
In addition, each funeral establishment must file a report with the CFB each year on or before May 1 that includes information pertaining to all pre-need arrangements, contracts, and plans. This report must contain a verification under penalty of perjury signed by the owner, partners, or in the case of a corporation, the president or vice-president and one other officer.
Immigrants who wish to work as funeral directors in California face a number of hurdles, including language and cultural barriers. The type of legal status an immigrant holds in the United States will have a significant impact on their ability to work as a funeral director in the state.
Licensed by the Funeral Consumers Alliance
In the United States, funeral services are regulated by state and local licensing agencies. Licensing requirements vary by state, but in general they require a certain number of years of education and passing an examination. Funeral consumers should contact their state’s licensing agency for more information.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Cemetery and Funeral Bureau licenses and investigates complaints against 13 different categories of licensed funeral service practitioners. These include funeral establishments, funeral directors, embalmers, apprentice embalmers, casket salespersons, cremated remains disposers and cemetery managers.
In New York City, funeral directors, undertakers and hospitals must register every death with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Vital Records. This process is done at Burial Desks in Manhattan and Brooklyn. They also must obtain a permit to dispose of human remains. The fee for this permit is $50. The City also requires funeral establishments to display all their charges on an itemized statement.
Licensed by the National Funeral Directors Association
Occupational licensing is a common practice in many professions, including funeral service. Licensure requires that professionals satisfy certain fundamental requirements, such as completing a required amount of education, undergoing specialized training, and passing professional examinations. Licensing also typically involves a period of apprenticeship or internship. These requirements vary by state.
In addition, a licensed funeral director must have an active license from the state in which they work. If they move to another state, they must apply for a reciprocal license. In order to do so, they must meet the following criteria:
NFDA member firms are any legal entity that owns or operates one or more funeral establishments within a state. In addition to paying association dues, a firm must also pay state licensing fees. The NFDA offers continuing education courses that are approved by most states. These courses are an excellent way for funeral directors to stay up-to-date on the latest laws and best practices.