The mission of the funeral bureau is to receive consumer inquiries and complaints, license funeral practitioners and establishments, register trainees in funeral service, and inspect funeral homes and crematory establishments. In addition, the Board adjudicates complaints against licensed professionals and imposes disciplinary sanctions.
Licensing requirements vary by state for funeral directors and embalmers. Some states also have licensing boards for funeral schools.
They can help you make arrangements
Funeral arrangements are often complex and expensive, but a funeral director can help you make them in a way that fits your budget and personal preferences. They will meet with family members or friends to discuss options such as caskets, burial plots, and memorial services. They will also coordinate with funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries.
Under the Rule, a funeral home must provide a general price list (GPL) to anyone who inquires about funeral goods or services. The GPL must include a written description of each casket or alternative container regularly offered for sale, and the retail price of each item.
Some funeral providers enter into agreements with burial societies, religious groups, or memorial groups to arrange funerals for their members at special prices. You can offer package funeral arrangements, but you must still provide a GPL and comply with other Rule requirements when an individual from these groups inquires about funeral arrangements. The funeral home must also disclose any custodial care fee charged to hold the body.
They can provide cemetery monuments or cremation urns
Cremation urns are used to hold the cremated remains of a loved one. They come in a variety of designs, from simple to elaborate. Many families display them in their homes or use them as remembrance vessels. Many of them are crafted in wood or a metal such as bronze. They can also be personalized with a special message or design.
Upright cemetery monuments and flat markers are available in granite, marble and bronze and mark graves in national, state veterans’ or military post/base cemeteries. Families may also purchase an individual headstone or marker based on inscription information for burial in private family estate mausoleums and columbaria.
Funeral providers are required to provide consumers with a General Price List (GPL) when they meet face-to-face for an arrangements conference, but they do not have to send a GPL by telephone or mail if the consumer does not request it. However, they must give it to consumers who make a written inquiry after hours and when they cannot meet face-to-face with the funeral director.
They can help you plan a home funeral
The death of a loved one can be very stressful, but funeral planning can help reduce some of the stress and confusion. It can also allow for a more meaningful and dignified farewell. By communicating openly with family members, discussing financial aspects, and preplanning a funeral service, individuals can navigate this challenging process with peace of mind.
Many funeral homes offer packages to lower costs, but you should always compare prices. You should also ask the funeral home to provide you with a casket price list before you decide on anything. This is a requirement under the Funeral Rule, which protects consumers from overcharges.
Funeral directors can also help you plan a wake, or ceremony that takes place after the funeral. They can help you make arrangements for music, catering, and other special requests. They can also arrange to have a video tribute made from photos and videos of your loved one. They can also help you publish an obituary and send out condolences to friends and relatives.
They can help you find a licensed funeral director or embalmer
The Funeral Bureau is responsible for overseeing and investigating consumer complaints about funeral homes and cremation services. It regulates the funeral business and establishes minimum professional standards for funeral directors, embalmers, and cemeteries. The Bureau also issues burial licenses.
Licensed funeral homes, embalmers, and apprentice embalmers must be registered with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Vital Records to file a death certificate. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, in-person ordering of death certificates has been suspended.
If your funeral business does not provide the necessary licenses, it may be illegal to operate. The Bureau can also fine you for violating the law. You can also find a reputable funeral director or embalmer by looking online. Some firms offer packages to reduce the cost of funerals. The packages typically include a casket, grave marker, and funeral service. Some firms also provide cemetery monuments and cremation urns. The LAFS has promoted advance planning and the consumer’s right to choose a funeral since 1963.