Dear AFCCA Members, What a year. As we wrap up 2025, we want to take a moment to thank each of you for being part of this community — your time, energy, feedback, and commitment to professionalism and compassion keep AFCCA alive and growing. What We’ve Accomplished Together Providing Critical Updates & Regulatory Guidance This year, we shared regular updates on the rule-making process by Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) for the new Human …
If you were anywhere near O.H.S.O. Brewery & Distillery during this year’s AFCCA Fall Mixer, you probably heard the laughter, the clinking glasses and the unmistakable sound of Arizona deathcare professionals letting loose after a long year. More than 170 people showed up ready to connect, celebrate and support a great cause, and our community absolutely delivered. From the first check-in to the last raffle ticket, the room stayed buzzing. Our members showed up with …
Posted on Behalf of Capitol Consulting 2025 Session Recap After a tense 169- day session marked by a record number of vetoes and three different proposed budgets, the Legislature adjourned Sine Die on Friday, June 27 and 1:20pm, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. Lawmakers passed a record 438 bills and 174 were vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. Ultimately the Legislature approved a $17.6 billion bipartisan budget, negotiated primarily by the Senate and the Governor. 2026 …
AZDHS has posted the Revised Consolidated Draft Rules for the Human Remains rulemaking, which includes Articles 1 through 4. The Online Survey will remain open through December 7, 2025. Your expertise and input is greatly valued, and AZDHS looks forward to receiving your feedback on the proposed rules.
If your funeral establishment or crematory receives a notice from the Department, it means a compliance inspection will take place within the next six months. These inspections are always unannounced, so the best way to approach them is to be prepared in advance. The following is not an exhaustive list of items that will be reviewed during a compliance inspection. Rather, the information below highlights common trends and observations identified during recent compliance inspections. Crematory Premises: …
Suite of Conversation Cards Now Covers Every Step of the Journey: Preplanning, Funeral Planning and Aftercare Remembering A Life, the consumer education initiative of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), has introduced two new decks of conversation cards that funeral directors can use to inspire the families they serve to plan meaningful tributes to loved ones. Remembering A Life Funeral Planning Conversation Cards are brand new to the Remembering A Life Conversation Card suite. These …
AFCCA is sharing the following update from the Arizona Department of Health Services regarding the ongoing Human Remains Rulemaking process. The meeting notes from the October 2, 2025, Workgroup Meeting have been posted. In addition, the consolidated draft rules for the Human Remains Rulemaking, which include Articles 1 through 4, are now available for review. An online survey is open through November 9, 2025, giving all industry professionals the opportunity to provide input and ensure …
The Bureau of Licensing for Professions & Occupations (BLPO), has posted Comments about September Draft for Article 4 and Department Responses on the Administrative Counsel & Rules Active Rulemakings webpage for Human Remains (Funeral Board Incorporation). The comment/response document includes the Department’s responses to feedback submitted through the public surveys that closed on September 14, 2025 and October 5, 2025. These responses are being shared to help licensees understand how the feedback was considered and …
Beginning January 1, 2026, AFCCA membership dues will transition to a new structure. After careful review, the Board voted to adopt a Progressive Per-Location Model with a cap. This model ensures fairness, transparency, and predictable budgeting for all members. Current Dues (through December 31, 2025): Individual: $198 Government: $360 Small Business (1): $360 Multi Business (2): $600 Large Multi (3): $1,320 Combination Large (4–6): $1,800 Large Corporations (7+): $4,200 New Dues (effective January 1, 2026): Individual: …
If your funeral establishment or crematory receives a notice from the Department, it means a compliance inspection will take place within the next six months. These inspections are always unannounced, so the best way to approach them is to be prepared in advance. The following is not an exhaustive list of items that will be reviewed during a compliance inspection. Rather, the information below highlights common trends and observations identified during recent compliance inspections. Recent Trends …