A funeral home is a place where visitors can pay their respects to the deceased. It offers a wide variety of services, including funerals, cremation, and memorial keepsakes. It also sells caskets and urns.
Funeral service is a demanding profession that requires formal education and an internship. It also includes passing state and national licensure exams.
Licensed by the State of New York
In New York, it’s illegal for anyone other than a licensed funeral director to make arrangements, embalm or supervise the interment of a body. You should choose a home that makes you feel comfortable and is familiar with local burial and cremation laws. When choosing a funeral home, ask about their pricing options and request an original itemized statement of charges. This will include contractual language that legally obligates you to pay for the funeral home’s services.
The Division establishes qualifications for professions and occupations in the death care industry, oversees licensing of establishments, facilities and preneed sales, and enforces effective discipline against licensees who violate the law. It also provides information and regulatory support to funeral service licensing boards and governmental bodies. In addition, the Commission is an educational resource for funeral consumers.
Licensed by the State of New Jersey
In New Jersey, the funeral industry is regulated by the State Board of Mortuary Science. This board licenses funeral directors, director trainees and funeral homes. It also regulates non-religious cemeteries and their salespersons. Consumers are protected by the Funeral Rule, a law that requires funeral directors and firms to disclose price information before selling services.
In order to become a licensed funeral director, one must complete 60 college credits and an accredited funeral service program. In addition, candidates must register as Student Trainees while attending school and serve a one-year Resident Internship. The state of Pennsylvania has similar requirements.
As a licensed Funeral Director, you must continually keep abreast of the changing laws and practices of your profession. Failure to do so could lead to fines and even loss of your license. That is why NFDA offers continuing education courses on topics you need to know. These are among the most valued benefits of membership.
Licensed by the State of California
The California Funeral Bureau licenses and regulates funeral homes, funeral directors, embalmers and apprentice embalmers; crematory managers; cemetery brokers, salespersons and managers; and cemeteries in the State of California. Its mission is to advocate consumer protection and licensee compliance through proactive education, consistent interpretation and application of the laws governing the end-of-life industry.
The death of a loved one is a devastating loss, and the funeral industry works to help mourning families navigate their journey. A licensed funeral director makes arrangements, prepares the body and supervises burial or cremation. He or she may also provide grief support services and file legal documents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that funeral homes follow routine infection control protocols to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. This includes washing the body and dressing it. It is important to work with your community, religious or cultural leaders to ensure that these practices are followed. CDC also requires that all workers wear personal protective equipment and follow disinfection guidelines.
Licensed by the State of Tennessee
The State of Tennessee licenses funeral directors, embalmers and funeral establishments. Applicants must successfully complete a program of study in funeral service education consisting of not less than thirty (30) semester hours or an equivalent number of clock hours. They must also successfully complete an apprenticeship with a licensed funeral director or embalmer and meet other licensing requirements.
The state’s rules require that all funeral homes have a room equipped for the care and preparation of dead human bodies. This room must be managed and supervised by a licensed funeral director. It must also be able to accommodate visiting mourners and provide access to a casket for a viewing.
The Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to give you an itemized statement of the costs of all goods and services they buy on your behalf. These include flowers, obituary notices, pallbearers and officiating clergy. Some funeral homes add an additional fee to the cost of these items, and this is not permitted.