Funeral services are complicated, and the death of a loved one is an emotional time. If you think that a funeral home mishandled your loved one’s remains, consult a Long Island funeral home neglect lawyer immediately.
Only a licensed funeral director can make arrangements for the care, transport and preparation of a deceased person for burial or cremation. Funeral directors, embalmers and hospitals file death certificates with the City of New York.
North Dakota State Board of Funeral Service
In North Dakota, the state board of funeral service regulates licensed practitioners and funeral establishments, including crematoriums. It also investigates complaints and takes appropriate action. The board is responsible for adopting standards and regulations that ensure the safety and welfare of the public.
Cremation is a common choice for families in North Dakota, and the state has specific requirements for handling and documenting cremated remains. In addition, the state regulates funeral homes’ transportation of the deceased.
Many people choose to keep cremated remains in a special urn at home or to create a memorial in a special place. Additionally, some cemeteries offer niches for cremated remains that are less expensive than a cemetery plot.
Georgia State Board of Funeral Service
The Georgia State Board of Funeral Service is responsible for licensing funeral directors and embalmers in the state. The board also administers the Funeral Service Law, which is designed to better protect life and health by preventing the spread of contagious, communicable, and infectious diseases.
In order to become licensed, an individual must meet all educational requirements and pass a state board’s examination. In addition, a license must be renewed every two years. A license can be waived if an applicant is unable to take the exam due to hardship, illness, or disability.
Licensed funeral directors in Georgia are required to address the cultural and religious needs of diverse communities. This includes recognizing and accommodating different customs and traditions, including funerals and burial ceremonies.
Nevada Funeral and Cemetery Services Board
In Nevada, the Funeral and Cemetery Services Board licenses funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories and oversees their operations. The board also investigates complaints and enforces the law against violations of the state’s rules.
KVVU reports that the board’s executive director, Jennifer Kandt, called Hites’ storage of bodies “unacceptable,” adding that cases involving lack of dignity and respect are some of her worst. Ultimately, the board suspended Hites’ establishment permit for six months.
The Board can impose penalties for violations such as advertising prices that exclude caskets or offering service at cost plus a percentage, where the determination of that cost lies within the control of the advertiser. Other prohibited activities include using profane or indecent language or soliciting a commission, bonus, or rebate for providing cremation or burial services.
New York State Department of Health
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has a wide range of functions that support the health and safety of 19 million people in the state. The agency recently became one of the first large state health departments to achieve accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board. This achievement was made possible by a deliberate and rigorous approach to performance management and quality improvement across the organization. New York State also has a number of other agencies with jurisdiction over special activities that affect the health and safety of its citizens. These include the State Environmental Conservation, Labor, Agriculture and Markets Departments and the United States Public Health Service. Charter SS 558 authorizes the Board of Health to publish a code to regulate all matters and subjects that touch upon health, and may add thereto such additional provisions for the security of life and health in the city as are not inconsistent with this constitution or laws of the state.
Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau licenses, investigates complaints and examines protests against 13 distinctive permitting classifications in California, encompassing memorial service foundations; funeral establishments; funeral directors; embalmers and apprentice embalmers; cemetery brokers, salespersons; and the nearly 200 authorized private cemeteries in the State. It also regulates crematories and incinerated remains disposers.
The Board is staffed with an executive director, administrative assistants and field representatives. The executive director oversees the licensing, inspection and enforcement activities. The audit program director directs the examination of preneed funeral funds, cemetery improvement care trust funds and cemetery preneed merchandise and services trust funds.
The Bureau advocates consumer protection and licensee compliance through proactive education and consistent interpretation and application of laws governing the death care industry. It also addresses issues that impact the mission of other governmental agencies which regulate the funeral industry, including licensure qualification and exam, international exchange of information, and state-to-state reciprocity of licensure.