The Bureau licenses, regulates and investigates 13 different licensing categories including funeral directors and embalmers; apprentice embalmers; embalming students; funeral establishments; cemetery brokers, salespersons and managers; cremated remains disposers; and cemeteries.
The Board is a member of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. The Conference addresses licensure qualification, examination and state-to-state reciprocity issues that impact the missions of its member boards.
The Funeral Bureau
The Funeral Bureau administers licensing and investigation functions related to the death care industry. It licenses and regulates the operation of funeral establishments; funeral directors; embalmers; apprentice embalmers; cemetery brokers, salespersons, and managers; crematories; and funeral goods and services manufacturers. The bureau also examines preneed funeral funds, cemetery improvement care trust funds and cemetery preneed merchandise and service trust funds.
Meeting with grieving families: Funeral directors meet with family members to discuss their loved ones’ needs and preferences and arrange the necessary services. This may include choosing a casket or urn; arranging transportation; and coordinating logistics.
Coordinating practical arrangements: Funeral directors assist clients with completing legal requirements such as obtaining death certificates, permits for burial or cremation, and submitting paperwork to social security. They also prepare the body for viewing or visitation by embalming and preparing it for presentation. They may also coordinate services with clergy and other presiding persons, and with fraternal or military organizations.
The Board of Funeral Services
Licensed funeral directors, embalmers and funeral establishments are regulated by the Board. The Board is staffed by an executive director, administrative assistants and field representatives who conduct pre-licensure inspections of funeral homes, embalming services and crematories annually. The staff also investigates complaints against funeral practitioners and licensees.
The Board requires that all persons who practice funeral service are familiar with Federal Trade Commission regulations regarding price lists and disclosures. The Board may discipline a licensee if the licensee violates these regulations.
Funeral directors and embalmers must obtain a license to practice funeral services in Delaware. They must complete a formal education program and an internship to be licensed. Continuing education (CE) credits must be obtained before a license is renewed.
The Board is a member of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB), a not-for-profit voluntary association of governmental boards and commissions that regulate the funeral profession. The Conference addresses licensure qualification, examination, state-to-state reciprocity and other issues that impact the mission of its members.
The State Board of Funeral Directors
The Board regulates funeral directing, embalming, and cremation. It establishes standards of service and practice, issues licenses, investigates complaints, and enforces disciplinary action. It also inspects funeral establishments and crematory facilities, and registers preneed sellers and sales agents.
The funeral services industry requires that funeral directors and embalmers meet certain qualifications, be licensed, and pass an examination. These requirements vary by state. Licensing information and applications are available from your state’s board of morticians and funeral directors.
After graduation from a FSAD program and passing both the Arts and Science sections of the Funeral Director National Board Exam, you must complete a residency. The International Conference of Funeral Service Exam Boards will notify the Bureau of your test results and will send you an application for a residency at the address on file with the Board. The resident is responsible for completing and handling 40 cases to demonstrate professional competency.
The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
The Bureau licenses and regulates 13,500 funeral establishments, embalmers, funeral directors, apprentice embalmers, mortuary science students, funeral home managers, and cemetery salespersons. In addition, the Bureau conducts examinations of preneed trust contracts and cemetery improvement care funds.
Under Federal law, funeral establishments must quote prices over the phone and provide a General Price List (GPL) to consumers who ask for it. The GPL must also include a Casket Price List and prices for outer burial containers offered by the funeral establishment. The funeral provider must offer the list upon starting any discussion of arrangements or before showing a casket to you.
If you are looking for a cemetery or funeral service, we suggest that you visit several establishments and speak with representatives of memorial societies and funeral consumer groups or organizations. They are not regulated by the Bureau and may be able to help you. You can find these groups and organizations by asking friends and family for referrals or by checking the yellow pages or Internet.