Funeral directors must have good communication skills to communicate with families and discover their wishes. They must also be able to solve problems, such as finding funding.
In New York, only a licensed funeral director can make arrangements or take a body to a cemetery or crematory. Licensed funeral homes must register at the Burial Desks in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Licensed and Insured
When you work in funeral service, you hold a position of deep public trust. That’s why it takes so many hours of training and testing to qualify for a license to practice. If the Board finds you have violated that trust, your license could be revoked.
You must give a GPL to anyone who inquires in person about your prices or arrangements for a future funeral, even if they tell you they have already made arrangements or are not interested in doing so at that time. The face-to-face meeting can occur anywhere, including while removing the body from a hospital or nursing home.
You do not have to send a GPL in response to telephone or mail inquiries about your goods and services, although you may choose to do so. However, if those inquiries lead to a face-to-face meeting, you must provide the GPL and comply with all other Rule requirements.
Serving the Community
Funerals serve as critical hubs of social support for grieving family and friends, rekindling relationships and strengthening interpersonal networks. They also provide a valuable opportunity for community organizations to showcase their services, from religious institutions to local businesses, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and participation.
The State Board of Funeral Directors regulates the licensure of professions and occupations in the death care industry, including funeral directing, embalming, preneed sales, burials and cremations. It establishes qualifications for licenses and oversees licensed establishments, facilities and cemetery grounds through inspections.
One way that funeral homes can build their community connections is by hosting lunch-and-learn events. For example, in a recent episode of Deathcare Decoded, Jody Herrington discussed how her funeral home built a reputation for being environmentally conscious and supporting local artists by curating an entirely locally-sourced selection room. This approach was especially important during the coronavirus pandemic, when many families were looking for unique, one-of-a-kind products to honor their loved ones.
Customized Services
As a result of evolving societal norms, many families today desire personalized services that celebrate the unique life of their loved one. This could mean adding personal elements such as photo collages or slideshows, music, cherished mementos, and more to the service.
These customized elements can facilitate a powerful connection to the deceased, and they allow attendees to connect over shared experiences. They can also aid the grieving process by helping turn sorrow into solace and grief into remembrance.
Funeral homes have adapted to meet this growing demand by creating custom memorial items, such as urns and keepsakes. They can also help individuals create a thematic ceremony that honors their passions and hobbies. Whether it is an outdoor garden service, a seaside ceremony, or a musical celebration, these unique services provide a beautiful balance of respect for tradition and the customization that modern families crave.
Compassionate Care
When a loved one passes away, families are often overwhelmed with grief and also have the responsibility of planning their final send-off. It can be stressful, but having a compassionate partner by their side eases the process and ensures that their loved ones receive a well-deserved farewell.
Funeral directors offer their support beyond the service by helping families understand payment options and resources that may help ease financial burdens. They also encourage mourners to seek counseling if needed.
Providing grief resources and aftercare programs like memorial websites and videos is a way for funeral businesses to show their commitment to their clients. This is a great way to build brand loyalty and attract customers year-round.