AFCCA Advocacy Updates May 11 – SB1210

Today, May 11, Jake Hinman from AZ Capitol Consulting gave a report to the Board of Directors on SB1210, which has come come a really long way from where we started almost 18 months ago. With the upcoming amendment, everything w we have asked for is put back in the bill: Education requirements Testing requirement Requirement to embalm 25 bodies to receive embalmer license Requirement to  arrange 25 funerals to receive Funeral Director license. The …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates March 27 – SB1210

Today, March 27, several stakeholders met to discuss SB1210. In this meeting was bill sponsor, Senator Steve Kaiser, as well as Senator Anna Hernandez and Representative Cesar Aguilar, members from the State Board of Funeral Directors & Embalmers, Representation from Arizona Department of Health & Human Services, plus many members of the Funeral Profession and finally, several policy writers, researchers and representation from the  joint legislative budget committee. We felt it was a very productive …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates March 21 – SB1210

SB1210 passed out of House Commerce Committee this afternoon, March 21, with party line votes (all Republicans supported and all democrats opposed). There was a floor amendment offered by Rep. Aguilar to continue the Board for one additional year. The amendment is what we call a “strike-everything amendment” where all of the text on the underlying bill would be struck and replaced with the new language. The amendment failed as all of the Republicans opposed. …

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Debriefing in the Funeral Home: An effective tool to de-stress

While speaking at an event for funeral service professionals, I asked, “How do you de-stress after a difficult call?” A participant’s hand went up, “I go shopping.” Another hand went up, “I listen to heavy metal music.” ” src=”cid:image005.png@01D94C35.2E971050″ alt=”” align=”right” hspace=”12″ v:shapes=”Picture_x0020_2″ class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton” style=”width: 2.3166in; height: 2.3166in; opacity: 1;”>No one else offered a personal strategy, which is not surprising. Historically, a funeral director’s role as last responder has gone largely unrecognized, with little …

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Calling All Aspiring Leaders: Be a Part of the NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program

National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has begun accepting applications for the 2023-24 National Emerging Leaders Program. This program, which launched in 2021, helps funeral service professionals develop leadership skills that will serve them well in any setting they may find themselves – their funeral home, their state or national association, their community, and beyond. The NFDA National Emerging Leadership Program is open to all licensed funeral professionals, regardless of NFDA membership, from the United States …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates February 15 – SB1210

Today, February 15, was the Commerce Committee hearing on SB1210 (review introduced version here). There was an amendment offered from the floor (review amendment document here) that was accepted by the committee. The key points of the amendment are: Writes back in the Embalmer License Implements an Advisory Counsel within DHS made up of four industry professionals and three public members AFCCA is appreciative of the amendment that was accepted, though we are aware there …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates February 1 – SB1210

The draft bill/Act SB1210, to revise the Funeral and Embalmers Statutes and Rules was dropped on January 25, 2023 and can be reviewed here. A meeting was held on Monday, January 30 between Senator Kaiser plus staff, and representation from Messingers and AFCCA. Our key points of discussion were: Writing back in the Embalmer License and maintaining the Funeral Director, Crematory Operator and Hydrolysis Operator licenses. Ensuring education remains in tact to receive licensing and …

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Congratulations Alexis Garbrick – Selected Independent Educational Trust Second-Career Scholarship Recipient

Reposted from Selected Trust The Board of Trustees of the Selected Educational Trust is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 Fall Cycle Second-Career Scholarship Program. The winners are Alexis Garbrick and Kurtis Wilkinson.  This cycle of the Trust’s signature scholarship program is sponsored by the Davis Whitehall Company and was created to meet the educational needs of the increasing number of second-career professionals entering independent funeral service seeking positions as funeral directors, embalmers …

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2023 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference: Growing Stronger, Together

Women and non-binary individuals who want to build empathy, trust, confidence and resilience in their professional and personal lives should plan to attend the 2023 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Professional Women’s Conference. This inspiring and uplifting conference will take place May 5-7 at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. Registration opens March 13. The Funeral Service Foundation will offer 20 all-inclusive David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships to make the profession’s …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates – January 10 Committee of Reference Hearing Recap

On Tuesday, the House and Senate held a Committee of Reference hearing to discuss the Funeral Board. The video from Tuesday’s COR hearing can be viewed here: Video Player (azleg.gov). The Funeral Board discussion starts at the 2-hour, 50-minute mark. As expected from our discussion with Sen. Kaiser prior to the hearing, the Auditor General provided a brief overview of their previous findings and recommendations, and Sen. Kaiser reminded the Committee about last year’s bill to …

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