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ARIZONA Funeral Continuing Education
The courses in this book include mandatory topics required for license renewal.
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THIS COURSE MEETS YOUR LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND ETHICS REQUIREMENT Chapter 1: Arizona Revised Statutes and Professional Ethics (Mandatory) [3 CE hours] 1 Arizona funeral directors have a critical role in ensuring that their services are conducted with the utmost professionalism and adherence to state laws. Their duties encompass a range of ethical responsibilities, including maintaining the dignity and respect of the deceased and their families. They must comply with Arizona funeral statutes, which regulate the handling, transportation, and final disposition of human remains. THIS COURSE MEETS YOUR MORTUARY SCIENCE REQUIREMENT Chapter 2: Modern Restorative Arts and Embalming Techniques, 2nd Edition (Mandatory) [3 CE hours] 20 This course is an intermediate course that is designed to provide some updated information on the new trends and advanced procedures for embalming, restorative art, and burial in the funeral profession. Final Examination Answer Sheet 29
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What are the requirements for license renewal? Licenses Expire CE Hours Required
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6 (All hours are allowed through home-study)
Funeral Directors and Embalmers Annual Renewals are due on July 1st
2 hours of mortuary science 2 hours of legal compliance and ethics
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How do I complete this course and receive my certificate of completion? See the following page for step-by-step instructions on how to complete and receive your certificate. Are you an Arizona board-approved provider? Colibri Healthcare, LLC’s courses are approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services - Funeral Services Licensing. Are my hours reported to the Arizona board? The Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers requires licensees to certify at the time of renewal that they have complied with the continuing education requirement. The Board performs audits at which time proof of continuing education must be provided. What information do I need to provide for course completion and certificate issuance? Please provide your license number on the test sheet to receive course credit. Your state may require additional information such as date of birth and/or last 4 of Social Security number; please provide these, if applicable. Is my information secure? Yes! We use SSL encryption, and we never share your information with third-parties. We are also rated A+ by the National Better Business Bureau. What if I still have questions? What are your business hours? No problem, we have several options for you to choose from! Online at EliteLearning.com/Funeral you will see our robust FAQ section that answers many of your questions, simply click FAQs at the top of the page, email us at office@elitelearning. com, or call us toll-free at 1-888-857-6920, Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm EST.
Important information for licensees: Always check your state’s board website to determine the number of hours required for renewal, mandatory topics (as these are subject to change), and the amount that may be completed through home study. Also, make sure that you notify the board of any changes of address. It is important that your most current address is on file. Disclosures Resolution of conflict of interest Colibri Healthcare, LLC implemented mechanisms prior to the planning and implementation of the continuing education activity, to identify and resolve conflicts of interest for all individuals in a position to control content of the course activity. Sponsorship/commercial support and non-endorsement It is the policy of Colibri Healthcare, LLC not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners. Licensing board contact information: Arizona Department of Health Services Funeral Services Licensing 1740 West Adams St., Suite 3006 | Phoenix, Arizona 85007 Phone: (602) 542-1025 | Fax: (602) 542-0883 Website: https://www.azdhs.gov/licensing/blpo/index. php#funeral-licensing
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FUNERAL CONTINUING EDUCATION
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©2025: All Rights Reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission or consent of Colibri Healthcare, LLC. The materials presented in this course are meant to provide the consumer with general information on the topics covered. The information provided was prepared by professionals with practical knowledge in the areas covered. It is not meant to provide medical, legal or professional services advice. Colibri Healthcare, LLC recommends that you consult a medical, legal or professional services expert licensed in your state. Colibri Healthcare, LLC has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and up to date at the time of printing, but does not represent or warrant that it will apply to your situation or circumstances and assumes no liability from reliance on these materials.
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Book Code: FAZ0625
FUNERAL CONTINUING EDUCATION
Chapter 1: Arizona Revised Statutes and Professional Ethics (Mandatory) 3 CE Hours
By: Taylor Walding Learning outcomes
Recall your oversight responsibilities in dealing with third-party contractors or other service professionals. Explain the importance and need for confidentiality. Recognize your professional duties and responsibilities under Arizona law.
After completing this course, the learner will be able to: Identify your ethical responsibility to the profession. Explain your duties and responsibilities to all persons you serve. List a number of funeral-related organizations that teach their own codes of ethics. Course overview Arizona funeral directors have a critical role in ensuring that their services are conducted with the utmost professionalism and adherence to state laws. Their duties encompass a range of ethical responsibilities, including maintaining the dignity and respect of the deceased and their families. They must comply with Arizona funeral statutes, which regulate the handling, transportation, and final disposition of human
remains. These statutes also mandate proper recordkeeping and the transparent management of preneed funeral arrangements. Funeral directors are expected to provide clear and honest communication with clients, ensuring that all services and costs are fully disclosed. By upholding these standards, they protect the public’s trust and ensure that all legal and ethical obligations are met.
PART 1 - PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Introduction Professional ethics is a vast field of study, with categories and subcategories relating to every conceivable topic and issue. Many medical and health-related disciplines establish their own ethical codes and standards of conduct, which encapsulate the compiled wisdom of countless individuals and years of professional experience. Their study offers practitioners the opportunity to learn from their predecessors’ mistakes instead of their own. Unlike personal ethics, which are flexible and open to debate, professional ethical codes are formally defined, mandatory standards of conduct established by and for members of professional associations to ensure quality and integrity in the profession. Professionalism is a combination of individual responsibility—personal responsibility on the part of each member of the professional community—combined with the collective responsibility of a formal group or association of practitioners. Ethics refers to principles of right or good conduct. Professional ethics in funeral services means the application of guiding principles of right conduct to the study, practice, and business of funeral service. This course addresses a range of issues of concern to the professional funeral director and staff and introduces a Professional obligations and responsibilities Every decision you make that affects another individual has an ethical or moral dimension to it. Ethical standards are written into our laws, but ethics goes beyond what is strictly legal. Laws are associated with minimum requirements, while ethical standards appeal to an even higher level of responsibility regarding the right thing to do. Although funeral practitioners, colleagues, and family members are equally capable of showing poor judgment or acting irrationally, licensed practitioners are bound by their professional affiliation to act responsibly, even when others do not.
number of concepts important to their ethical practice. Successful completion of the course will equip you with the basic concepts and rationale for ethical decision-making in your practice, to help to navigate unknown ethical territory, identify questionable behavior, and develop a sense for “red flags” of potential conflict, as well as take steps to resolve these issues. Equally important, it will help you know when to seek professional guidance with a supervisor or mentor in the industry or turn to other appropriate resources for professional assistance. Because virtually all state licensing authorities, certifying or accrediting agencies, and professional associations establish their own standards of conduct and ethical guidelines for their members, you will need to refer directly to the organizations and academic or training institutions with which you are affiliated, as well as state, local, and national associations, to review the ethical guidelines that apply specifically to you and your practice. You may also want to refer to literature or websites of prominent professional organizations such as the Arizona Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Association (https://azfcca.org/about/); the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA; https:// nfda.org/about-nfda/code-of-professional-conduct); or the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA; https://iccfa.com). The family Your first responsibility is to the wishes of the bereaved family. Family members should be provided counsel and treated in a caring and ethical manner. The family should be provided a copy of the funeral home’s general price list (GPL). Many also find a copy of the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer guide to services and products useful (https://consumer.ftc.gov/shopping-and-donating/ funerals). The nonprofit organization Consumer Action, which receives its support through grants and court settlements, publishes a consumer services guide that can be accessed through https://consumerservicesguide.org/about.
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body. The body of the deceased should remain covered at all times, and care should be taken to cover the deceased’s genitals during the embalming. Everyone who has contact with the deceased should treat the body with great respect, using the same care and compassion that you would toward a member of your own family, with the same dignity as you would afford a cherished relative or friend. Authorized family members or close friends may be permitted to view the body at the discretion of the family. The clergy Funeral services located in a church or other religious institution should abide by the rules and regulations of the institution. The funeral director is usually responsible for communicating any special requests that the deceased or family members expect to be accommodated on the day of the funeral service. The funeral director should also schedule a meeting between the family and the clergy member prior to the date the service is performed. In cases where a stipend or honorarium is paid to the clergyman or the religious institution, it is commonly paid by check (for recordkeeping purposes) through the funeral director. In cases where the family chooses not to or cannot afford to pay this stipend, this information should also be communicated to the clergy member before the service. It is always a good idea to confirm that the clergy member accepts such payment, as some members of the clergy do not accept honoraria or may accept them in some other form, such as payment to a building fund, for example. Professional colleagues Having high ethical standards means that the funeral director is not only responsible for his or her own actions, but also for those of the immediate and extended staff. This means that you should put your trust only in people who are also beyond reproach, ensuring that they will feel the same responsibility to family members, clergy, and business concerns that you do. Do not assume business is being handled appropriately; investigate to be sure that adequate policies and procedures are in place to uphold your ethical standards. You have a role in protecting the public from fraud, misuse of funds, and misconduct. Funeral directors, embalmers, and direct disposition professionals should be properly trained in their responsibilities and appropriately compensated for the work they do. Employees and employers should enjoy a relationship of mutual respect and consideration, with employees provided positions with room for advancement and increasing income with ever greater responsibilities. In the case of apprenticeship and training for positions in the funeral services, including professional embalmers and funeral directors, the trainee should be always under appropriate supervision and should uphold the ideals of ethical and professional practice, with care and concern for public safety and welfare. Practice by unlicensed personnel, along with aiding or abetting an unlicensed person or assisting them in representing themself as a licensed embalmer or funeral director, is unethical and illegal. Colleagues across the industry should share a relationship of mutual respect and consideration. In cases where two funeral directors work together, they have a professional obligation to transact services in a fair and equitable manner. When there is transportation, release of remains, or accommodation of the body in which embalming services are performed at another funeral director’s facility, for example, procedures should take place according to specific guidelines relating to joint director responsibilities.
It is generally a good idea to assume that family members know little about your business. Providing basic instructions and answers to common questions in a brief information sheet can be very effective in putting a family at ease, especially those who are new to the experience and unfamiliar with your organization, personnel, and way of conducting business. Family members should be given some time to review this information before any discussion regarding services, products, or prices takes place. The funeral director should encourage appropriate spending, meaning the family should not be persuaded to purchase services or products beyond their financial means. It is often useful to designate a budget, then guide the family to purchase within that budget. Never sell beyond what a family needs. The funeral director should take the time to explain costs and products associated with the funeral service, including any “hidden” or additional costs such as cemetery charges, floral arrangements, the obituary listing or announcements, or costs that will be incurred even if they are not directly associated with the funeral home or funeral home’s services. If these associated costs are discounted or charged by arrangement with the funeral home, the director is legally and ethically responsible to inform the family regarding these details. Once the family selects the necessary products and services, the family should receive, review, and sign a Statement of Goods and Services, which shows the total cost of all items and services purchased, including the amounts the funeral home has paid on behalf of the family. The family should sign to confirm the price of services and merchandise selected, the associated fees, the price of desired supplemental items of service and products, and the amount advanced by the funeral director or home on behalf of the family. The funeral director should also inform family members at this time that they may be entitled to benefits from one or more of the following institutions: the Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (if the deceased was a veteran, they may be entitled to a headstone or monetary reimbursement), armed forces, labor unions, and fraternal organizations, among others. Because these benefits may or may not apply, the funeral director and staff should not imply that they are guaranteed, simply that they may be available. The funeral director should facilitate the filing process by helping the family members fill out and deliver the forms to the appropriate authorities. If further assistance is required, the funeral director should be able to refer the family to the appropriate professional. Families choosing cremation should be treated with the same dignity and respect as those who choose burial. The funeral director should be sure to review the details and options available to the family, as few family members are typically aware of their choices related to cremation. Beyond the responsibility for ensuring that the cremation takes place in the proper time frame, the funeral director and staff should always provide the family with appropriate time and privacy to say goodbye to the deceased as well as to view the body to confirm its identity. It is customary for a funeral home to charge for this service. If family members wish to observe the cremation, the funeral director should make arrangements for them to do so. The deceased It is unethical and, in some cases, illegal for the funeral director to permit any unauthorized individuals to witness the process during which the body is embalmed and otherwise prepared. Only the funeral director and staff members should be in attendance during preparation of the
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direction and embalming in a way that protects public health and safety. Professional practices should conform with board rules and regulations, which are also legally binding. Medical and health-related responsibilities Funeral directors and staff members should always be courteous and cooperative in communication or interactions with medical or health and safety personnel. They should cooperate fully and be courteous and discreet in all professional transactions. The funeral director and attending physician are jointly responsible for completion of the certificate of death. After signing, the medical examiner or coroner has the final authority to determine cause of death. In cases where the first physician is unable or unwilling to sign the death certificate, the funeral director is also responsible for finding another physician to sign it. The funeral director is responsible for ensuring that accurate information appears on the death certificate, that it is filed correctly and on time, and that it is given to the family so they can make final arrangements. The information in the death certificate is strictly confidential and is only divulged or discussed, if necessary, with members of the family, the physician, or other authorized individuals. All medical inquiry and questions regarding the cause of death should be directed to the medical examiner, physician, or coroner. Funeral directors are strongly encouraged to support the deceased and/or family members’ wishes regarding the decision to authorize organ and tissue donation or body donation, in cases where the tissue or organs are medically acceptable. While autopsies can complicate funeral preparation and arrangements by presenting a longer waiting period before the funeral, it is important that funeral directors not discourage autopsies or be uncooperative with medical personnel and pathologists involved in an important, sometimes necessary, procedure. Any questions regarding the autopsy should be directed to the medical examiner, pathologist, coroner, or family physician, as Practitioners are required to abide by industry standards of safety and hygiene. Surfaces and materials must be cleaned according to accepted standards of sanitation, meeting all legal health and safety requirements, including universal precautions relating to communicable diseases. The funeral home or related facilities should be maintained in an appropriate fashion, upholding public health and safety standards and regulations for safeguarding the health of the public and staff members. Funeral services must conform to all legal regulations and health laws. Keeping up with continuing education requirements will acquaint you, if necessary, with any new information about communicable disease prevention or potential health hazards. A host of conditions have proved potentially hazardous to embalmers’ health, including polio, tuberculosis, legionnaires’ disease, AIDS, and, more recently, even anthrax and new diseases such as West Nile virus and SARS. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) has presented itself as a possible risk. At the height of the pandemic, COVID-19 had an impact on how funerals were conducted (NFDA, 2022) and created strain on funeral professionals. Staying aware of updates in safety precautions and health concerns is important for personal safety but is also vital in shielding yourself from potential litigation. appropriate. Public safety
Give colleagues the loyalty and respect they deserve. It is unethical and unprofessional for professionals or trainees to exploit confidential information to the detriment of another individual during or after the period of employment. Avoid defamation of others by using care and good judgment in any discussion of other funeral directors. Recount statements that are factual in nature. Avoid disparaging or misleading statements that may be considered defamatory, including comments regarding the funeral director’s ability to enter into a legal contract or provide appropriate services. Do not question the credit standing of another business, the skills or abilities of employees or staff members, or the acceptability of a facility or equipment used, as any disparaging or misleading statement of this type may be considered defamation. It is unethical for the funeral director to make inflammatory remarks about another funeral home or funeral director regarding private life, business operations, or staff, or to make any other misleading remarks. Be beyond reproach in this matter. The cemetery or crematory Both crematories and cemeteries require prior notice for use of services, and the funeral director traditionally coordinates with the family’s chosen cemetery or crematory, providing details regarding the time of the service, the type of outer burial container, or any of the other arrangements that need to be made at some time prior to the interment ceremony or cremation. The funeral director, in most cases, assumes responsibility for payment of cemetery or crematory fees. As most funeral homes do not have their own crematories, funeral directors must be able to vouch for the professional and ethical standards held by any third-party contractor. Ideally, the funeral director should inspect the crematory operations at some time before they are needed, to confirm appropriate state licensing and level of training and professionalism of the operators, who should be open to your inspection. The body of the deceased should be treated with the same care at the crematory that you would show the deceased at your facility. It is also your concern and ethical obligation to ensure that the remains returned to the family are indeed those of the loved one. Funeral directors commonly interact with personnel from other funeral homes, sometimes arranging the removal of the deceased to another location or having the deceased brought to the funeral director’s funeral home for services. If the family has arranged for services or products through the other funeral home, it is unethical and unprofessional for the funeral director to negate or induce breach of any preexisting agreements with the first funeral home. Other public and private agencies The funeral director makes contact with family members and representatives of various groups, agencies, and organizations, both public and private, in the course of business. Part of your professional obligation is serving an educational role by being available to discuss any subject relating to funeral services, burial, or cremation, thus increasing public awareness of these topics and the grieving process. Information released to the press for preparation of the obituary should be discreet and sensitive to the needs of the family, omitting details they would prefer not to be printed. Make sure information is factual and appropriately reflects or represents the deceased. The individual practitioner is responsible to Arizona’s Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, which has been established by law to regulate the practice of funeral
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Advertising/marketing As a representative of your profession, you need to be aware that any negative perceptions of your marketing materials or advertisements tend to reflect poorly on your colleagues and the profession as a whole. All advertising should be factual and treat the subject of funerals with dignity. All advertisements should be truthful and professional. Promotional materials should: ● Include your license number, place of business, and phone number; ● Refrain from using fear or guilt as motivational tactics; ● Avoid unrealistic, misleading, or sensational claims; ● Refrain from using any wording or image that might be construed as offensive in nature; and ● Adhere to truth-in-advertising standards. Documentation and recordkeeping All records should give a factual and complete account of relevant transactions. It is unethical to withhold or insert any invoice or statement of false record or representation of any transaction, invoice, record, or documentation for the purpose of misleading or deceiving a colleague, family member, organization, or government agency. It is unethical and unprofessional to misrepresent any aspect of the funeral service. Proper documentation and recordkeeping represent a critical, if mundane, dimension of a successful business. Keep notes legible and accurate. If it is ever necessary to refer to files at some time in the future (in legal proceedings, for example), the context and details of your notes should be clear. Adhere to the following guidelines for preparing and maintaining records: ● Notes should be legible as well as accurate. Pay attention to your handwriting, and use clearly written and recognized abbreviations. Remember that you and other people may need to refer to these notes years in the future. Make sure the notes are easy to read and understand. ● File records promptly and accurately. Establish a strict filing system and adhere to it, and be sure other staff members know the system and the importance of using it. Contractual obligations The funeral director is required to fulfill all agreements and contracts, both verbal and written, to which they have contracted. There is no substitute for honesty and integrity in business matters. Be able to admit mistakes should they occur, as covering up means adding dishonesty on top of dishonesty. Instead, be honest and do what you can to make amends. Trust is crucial to a harmonious relationship between the family and the funeral director. Property custody The funeral director is responsible for safe possession of valuables, including those on the person of the deceased at the time of death and those provided to the funeral home to be buried with the individual, if desired. The funeral director typically becomes custodian of all personal effects belonging to the deceased that were in their possession. Items with monetary value or of sentimental concern to the family are placed in a temporary trusteeship with the funeral director, who should transfer these items at the earliest point possible, according to the family’s wishes. It is useful for the funeral director to review with the family that they are in possession of these items and confirm what should happen to the items after the funeral service and to whom, if at all, they should be returned. The funeral director is ethically obligated to ensure that any valuables that
Business management and promotion Conducting your business in an ethical manner is largely a matter of treating people fairly and decently, using your skills and time effectively, and adhering to high standards in your work. Your promotional materials, recordkeeping, financial dealings, and conduct in day-to-day business matters should also be able to pass ethical scrutiny. Funeral directors should not engage personnel to solicit funerals at or near the time of death. It is unethical and illegal for a funeral director to pay commission or related payments for this kind of solicitation. This is neither meant to discourage advertising nor prearranged or prefinanced funeral agreements. Maintaining your business in good professional standing means: ● Filing local, state, and federal taxes; ● Discussing and/or displaying fee schedules and billing practices prior to a first meeting; ● Making the family’s welfare your paramount concern; ● Following generally accepted accounting practices; ● Keeping accurate financial records; ● Maintaining confidentiality; ● Collaborating respectfully and cooperatively with other professionals; and ● Making appropriate referrals, if necessary. Preneed sales Preneed sales should be handled in an ethical manner. New York is an example of a state with strong preneed laws (PrePlan Funeral Trust, n.d.). Here are a few provisions of that state’s laws: ● All monies must be trusted in government backed securities, with principal and interest remaining the property of the consumer. ● The preneed account remains under the purchaser’s control. A revocable account allows a purchaser to receive a full refund of principal and interest at any time, for any reason, without penalty. ● The purchaser is allowed to choose a new funeral home at any time. ● Full disclosure concerning the funds must be provided to the consumer. ● Applicants and recipients of Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income may set aside funds for funeral and burial expenses for themselves or for family members (in an irrevocable trust) that will not be counted as a resource (PrePlan Funeral Trust, n.d.). The following are some points to ponder concerning preneed sales: ● Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable about letting a purchaser know how much of their money will be put into trust and how much money you will retain? ● Do you clearly inform the consumer of an administrative fee taken from the principal paid to you and its purpose? ● Do you believe that consumers should have a yearly accounting of their funds? Have you chosen for the trust to pay the tax so that the consumer will not get a yearly statement? ● If you receive a commission or other financial consideration for the placement of consumer dollars into a preneed insurance policy or a trust program, do you reveal that commission to the consumer? ● If you receive a special price on caskets when placing a consumer’s monies into a preneed insurance policy or trust, do you reveal this information to the consumer? It may be that if you feel uncomfortable telling consumers everything about their preneed accounts, you should take a close look at the ethics of your actions. (Note that Part II of this course includes Arizona’s laws concerning preneed funeral planning.)
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that licensed individuals are keeping pace with recent developments through continuing education requirements. Crediting coursework is offered in a diverse range of formats (traditional classroom attendance, correspondence courses or distance education, weekend workshops, professional seminars and conferences) that vary widely in scope, practical value, length of study, and fee. Opportunities for advanced study in the field outside of continuing education are also abundant, offering the practitioner a diverse range of possibilities in certification, titles, and credentials, all associated with varying degrees of validity. Checks and balances on this system are minimal; those that exist are fueled in great measure by the personal accountability, honesty, and integrity of individual practitioners. Scope of practice Scope of practice refers to your area of competence, usually obtained through formal study, training, and/or professional experience, and for which you’ve received certification or other proof of qualification. Your scope of practice is circumscribed, in part, by local licensing restrictions, which are sometimes very general. Misrepresenting your educational achievements, credentials, or abilities is a serious breach of responsibility that endangers the public and reflects poorly on the profession as a whole. If a subject is outside your area of expertise, don’t hesitate to say so, and direct the individual to appropriate informational resources or professional services. Choosing to provide services for which you are not appropriately trained or competent is a dangerous personal decision that undermines the profession and may carry weighty legal implications. Your personal level of discretion and ethical standards will largely determine the manner in which you advertise your services, describe your education and professional experience, and list credentials. You have an additional obligation to your clients and the profession to keep pace with new developments in the field and maintain skills at a professional level. This obligation is partly fulfilled through formal continuing education requirements but can be supplemented by attention to industry journals and attendance at seminars, workshops, and conferences.
remain with the deceased at the time of burial or cremation are indeed with the body at burial or cremation. Confidentiality In serving the family, the funeral director is typically privy to information of a confidential nature. Under no circumstances should the funeral director discuss the cause or nature of the death with anyone outside the funeral home. All information and matters relating to the deceased are strictly confidential and should not be communicated to a third party unless the funeral director is authorized to do so by the family. Private details discussed during the arrangement conference are also sensitive and confidential in nature. Never repeat any details about the deceased or deceased’s family with staff members or family members unless it is directly pertinent to the funeral service or preparations. Details regarding the cause of death, funeral arrangements and prices for services and products, who is paying and how much—all are sensitive issues that should be treated with discretion. When in doubt, do not disclose information. Keep all original records in your possession. Share information only in cases where disclosure is required and appropriate. Impress upon all staff members the importance of confidentiality and retaining original file copies. Treat family members with respect and dignity. Handle personal information with sensitivity, and keep the content of records private. Accountability Professional organizations protect public safety by certifying the competence of their members through licensing and continuing education requirements. Accreditation and professional affiliations maintain quality control and show your accountability to families, colleagues, and the profession as a whole. They confirm that you abide by prevailing health and safety standards, conduct yourself in accordance with relevant legislation and/or professional regulations, and possess the specialized knowledge and skills of your field. Once you’re successfully licensed, you are deemed competent in your business area despite the fact that your specific skills, training, and knowledge base may be somewhat different from that of other funeral directors or embalmers in the country. Licensing agencies and professional societies can maintain basic standards of quality and professional expertise in the field and ensure
PART II—ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES
The following is a sampling of the laws as they relate to funeral professionals. The complete set of statutes can be found at https://www.azleg.gov/ARStitle/. Chapter 12, Article 1: Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
From 32-1301. Definitions—Unprofessional Conduct 59. “Unprofessional conduct” includes the following acts, whether occurring in this state or elsewhere: (a) Committing a class 1 or 2 felony. (b) Committing a felony or misdemeanor if the offense has a reasonable relationship to funeral directing or embalming. Conviction by any court of competent jurisdiction or a plea of no contest is conclusive evidence of the commission. (c) Providing false, misleading or deceptive information on an application for licensure or registration pursuant to this chapter or on an examination required for licensure or registration. (d) Bribing or offering to bribe, directly or indirectly, a member of the board to influence the member’s actions in performing the member’s duties.
(e) Willfully interfering with an embalmer, funeral director or cremationist who has lawful custody of a dead human body in performing the embalmer’s, funeral director’s or cremationist’s duty to embalm or prepare the body for burial, transportation or cremation. (f) Paying or causing monies or other valuable consideration to be paid to a person, other than an employee of a funeral establishment, to secure business regulated pursuant to this chapter from or through the person. (g) Violating any law of this state or any rule adopted by the department of health services that relates to embalming or preparing dead human bodies. (h) Certifying falsely to having embalmed or prepared a
dead human body that was embalmed by a person other than a licensed embalmer making the certification
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specifically prohibit misrepresentation of the legal requirements concerning preparing and interring dead human bodies. (d) Standard price disclosure formats and price list requirements and definitions to facilitate price comparisons by members of the public. (e) Guidelines to enable members of the public to determine the substantial equivalency of funeral goods available for sale to the public. (f) Administrative and investigative procedures. (g) The efficient administration of the board’s affairs and the enforcement of this chapter. (h) The inspection of all funeral establishments, crematories and alkaline hydrolysis facilities at least once every five years. (i) Any other matters the board deems necessary to carry out this chapter. B. The board may: 1. Subject to title 41, chapter 4, article 4, employ investigative, professional and clerical employees as it deems necessary to carry out this chapter. Compensation of these employees shall be determined pursuant to section 38-611. 2. Appoint citizen advisory committees to make recommendations to the board concerning enforcing and administering this chapter. 3. In connection with investigations or administrative hearings, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, contracts, agreements and other documents or records in any form, administer oaths and take testimony and evidence concerning all matters within its jurisdiction. The board may pay the fees and expenses of witnesses who appear in any proceeding before the board. If a person refuses to obey a subpoena issued by the board, the board may invoke the aid of any court in this state to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence. 4. Contract with other state and federal agencies as it deems necessary to carry out this chapter. 5. Charge reasonable fees to distribute materials that the board prints or has printed at its expense and for the costs of mailing these materials. 6. Charge the reasonable costs of a fingerprint background check to an applicant for licensure or registration. C. A license or registration issued by the board is not transferrable or subject to sale or assignment, whether by voluntary or involuntary process. D. A licensee or registrant shall conspicuously display the person’s license or registration at the person’s place of employment. 32-1330. Annual intern or embalmer’s assistant report A person who is registered as an embalmer’s assistant or licensed as an intern shall submit to the board, at the time that the person applies to renew the person’s registration or license, an annual report on a form prescribed by the board. The report shall be subscribed under oath by the embalmer’s assistant or intern and the supervising embalmer and shall contain information documenting each embalming that the embalmer’s assistant or intern assisted in or performed.
or an intern under the supervision of a licensed embalmer making the certification. (i) Falsely advertising or labeling any service or merchandise with the intention of deceiving the public. (j) Shipping or delivering any merchandise or supplies that are not the substantial equivalent of or superior in quality to merchandise or supplies previously presented to the purchaser as samples. (k) Committing any act involving dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, gross negligence or incompetence if the act has a reasonable relationship to funeral directing or embalming. (l) Engaging in any conduct or practice that is reasonably related to funeral directing or embalming and that is or may be harmful or dangerous to the health, safety or welfare of the public. (m) Within a period of five years, having a license, registration or endorsement suspended or revoked by the board or by the funeral services licensing authority of any other jurisdiction or surrendering a license, registration or endorsement in lieu of disciplinary action. 32-1307. Powers and duties of the board A. The board shall: 1. Administer and enforce this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. 2. Adopt a seal. 3. Maintain a record of the name and the mailing or employer’s business address of each licensee and registrant. 4. Investigate alleged violations of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. 5. In accordance with title 41, chapter 6, adopt rules that include provisions relating to the following: (a) The keeping and disposition of records by licensees and registrants. (b) Standards of practice, professional conduct,
competence and consumer disclosure relating to owning or operating a funeral establishment or crematory, funeral directing, embalming and cremation.
(c) The prohibition of deceptive, misleading or professionally negligent practices in advertising, offering or selling funeral
goods or services by funeral establishments, crematories, licensees and registrants and agents of funeral establishments, crematories, licensees and registrants. The rules shall
Chapter 12, Article 2: Licensing and Registration 32-1321. License or registration requirement; persons not required to be licensed or registered; nontransferability; display A. A person shall not advertise or engage in funeral directing or embalming without having a valid license or registration issued by the board. B. This article does not prohibit: 1. A student who is enrolled in a college of mortuary science that is recognized by the board pursuant 2. A person from performing removals or arrangements or from directing funeral services under the direction of and accountable to a licensed funeral director. 3. A licensed cemetery employee from selling burial or final disposition items or from arranging or directing cemetery services. to section 32-1336 from assisting a licensed embalmer in embalming dead human bodies pursuant to section 32-1337.
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Book Code: FAZ0625
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32-1331. Renewal of licenses and registration; reinstatement of registration A. Except as provided in section 32-4301, each license and each registration issued under this article expires on August 1 of each year. B. A licensee or a registrant shall submit a renewal application and the applicable renewal fee pursuant to section 32-1309 on or before July 1 of each year. A license or registration renewal fee is nonrefundable. C. A licensee or a registrant who submits a renewal application and the applicable renewal fee after July 1 but before August 1 shall pay a late fee pursuant to section 32-1309 in addition to the renewal fee. D. A licensee who fails to submit a renewal application and the applicable fee on or before August 1 shall apply for licensure as an original applicant. A person who submits a license application within three years after the date that the person’s license expires is not required to pass the national board examination or state equivalent examination. E. A registered assistant funeral director who fails to submit a renewal application and the applicable renewal fee on or before August 1: 1. Is not eligible for renewal of the person’s registration. 2. May apply for a funeral director license pursuant to this article. F. An embalmer’s assistant who fails to submit a renewal application and the applicable renewal fee on or before August 1 may apply for reinstatement of the person’s registration by submitting a completed reinstatement application on a form prescribed by the board and the applicable reinstatement fee within one year after the date that the person’s registration expires. G. An intern license may not be renewed more than three times. 32-1333. Notice of change of employment elements through a water-based dissolution process using alkaline chemicals, heat, agitation and pressure to accelerate natural decomposition. (b) Processing the hydrolyzed remains after they are removed from the alkaline hydrolysis vessel. (c) Placing the processed remains in a hydrolyzed remains container. (d) Releasing the hydrolyzed remains to an appropriate party. 4. “Alkaline hydrolysis container”: Chapter 12, Article 2.1: Alkaline Hydrolysis 32-1341. Alkaline hydrolysis facilities; license required. A person may not advertise or operate an alkaline hydrolysis facility without first obtaining an alkaline hydrolysis facility license issued by the board. 32-1342. Alkaline hydrolysis facilities; requirements A. An alkaline hydrolysis facility licensed under this article must meet all of the following: 1. Have a building or structure that complies with applicable local and state building codes, zoning laws and ordinances and wastewater management and environmental standards and that contains one or more alkaline hydrolysis vessels.
A. An intern who is licensed or an embalmer’s assistant who is registered under this article shall notify the board in writing within ten business days after a change in employment. The notice shall include the names of the new establishment and, if applicable, the new supervising licensed funeral director or embalmer. B. An embalmer or funeral director who is licensed under this article shall notify the board in writing within ten business days after a change in employment. The notice shall include the names of the former and the new establishment. C. A responsible funeral director who is licensed under this article shall notify the board in writing within five business days after a change in employment, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and other legal holidays. 32-1338. Continuing education A. A person who is licensed or registered pursuant to this article shall complete continuing education designed to educate the person regarding current skills and procedures and developments in the funeral industry. The board may prescribe in its rules the number of hours of continuing education required each year, not to exceed sixteen hours, and the subject matter that shall be covered. B. The board shall waive the continuing education requirements for persons whose licenses have been placed on inactive status and for persons who are serving in the United States armed forces in time of war. The board may waive the continuing education requirement for good cause shown as prescribed in its rules. In 2022, alkaline hydrolysis, also known as aquamation, was legalized in Arizona (Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, 2022). However, as of late April 2023, the process was unavailable because oversight laws had not yet been written (Barreuther, 2023). Article 2.1 covers alkaline hydrolysis. (a) Means a hydrolyzable or biodegradable closed container or pouch that is resistant to leakage of bodily fluids, that encases a dead human body and into which the body is placed before the container’s insertion into an alkaline hydrolysis vessel. (b) Includes a hydrolyzable or biodegradable alternative container or casket. 5. “Alkaline hydrolysis facility” means a building or structure containing one or more alkaline hydrolysis vessels for alkaline hydrolysis. 6. “Alkaline hydrolysis operator” means a person who is trained to carry out the process of alkaline hydrolysis. 7. “Alkaline hydrolysis vessel” means the container in which alkaline hydrolysis is performed. 2. Use a method that is approved by the board to dry the hydrolyzed remains and that occurs within the licensed facility. 3. Have a means approved by the board for refrigerating dead human bodies awaiting alkaline hydrolysis. 4. Have an appropriate refrigerated holding facility for dead human bodies awaiting alkaline hydrolysis that maintains dead human bodies at or below thirty-eight degrees Fahrenheit.
According to Chapter 12, Article 1 (L22, Chapter 257, section 3) and 32-1301: Definitions In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 3. “Alkaline hydrolysis” means a form of final disposition that includes all of the following: (a) Reducing a dead human body to essential
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Book Code: FAZ0625
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