Connection, Community and the Future of Funeral Service

By Christopher Costello, CFSP NDFA 2025-27 At-large Representative Thank you for such a warm welcome to Arizona during my visit. It was great to see old friends and make new ones. My trip was seamless, as was the conference, thanks to all the work of Heather and the rest of the Board. I appreciate everything you did to make me feel welcome. This year’s convention reinforced the value of connection. Whether through relationships or education, …

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AFCCA Legislative Updates – June 19, 2026 Sine Die

AFCCA Updates The Association has been working closely with the Department of Health Services to develop an outline for the policies and procedures manuals that each establishment will be required to adopt under the new rules. This outline is intended to ease the drafting process for members as the industry works toward full compliance. It is worth noting that while the current implementation date is set for July 4, that date falls on both a …

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Registration Opens for Funeral Women Lead’s Unleashed Leadership and Wellness Summit and Academy Kickoff

Unleashed will be Sept. 28–30 at Wild Dunes Resort, Charleston S.C., the only multi-day leadership experience built exclusively for women in funeral service and deathcare.  Funeral Women Lead, the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation dedicated exclusively to advancing, developing and supporting women and those who identify as women in funeral service and deathcare, today announced that registration is now open for its second annual Leadership and Wellness Summit: Unleashed, and the second cohort of the Women’s …

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AFCCA Legislative Updates – June 12, 2026

Provided by Capitol Consulting, LLC AFCCA Updates SB1668 (disposition; remains; authorization; legal decision making) Sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick clarifies in statute who has decision making authority over a decedent minor in very specific instances. This bill was voted out of the Senate with bipartisan support, and was signed by the Governor. The Association has been working closely with the Department of Health Services to develop an outline for the policies and procedures manuals that …

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AFCCA 2026 Annual Conference Brings Arizona’s Funeral, Cemetery & Cremation Profession Together

The 2026 AFCCA Annual Conference & Expo brought funeral, cemetery, and cremation professionals from across Arizona together in Scottsdale for several days of education, connection, professional development, and conversations about the future of the profession. Centered around this year’s theme, Evolving Care: Leading the Future of Funeral & Cemetery Service, the conference explored how professionals and organizations can continue to grow and adapt while remaining grounded in the compassion, dignity, ethics, and service that define …

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AFCCA Legislative Update – June 5, 2026

Provided by Capitol Consulting, LLC AFCCA Updates SB1668 (disposition; remains; authorization; legal decision making) Sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick clarifies in statute who has decision making authority over a decedent minor in very specific instances. This bill was voted out of the Senate with bipartisan support, we are now waiting for it to be sent to the Governor for final action. The Association has been working closely with the Department of Health Services to develop …

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AFCCA Legislative Update – May 29, 2026

Provided by Capitol Consulting, LLC AFCCA Updates SB1668 (disposition; remains; authorization; legal decision making) Sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick moved through caucus since it was amended with a Strike Everything Amendment that replaces its text with legislation that would clarify in statute who has decision making authority over a decedent minor in very specific instances. This bill was voted unanimously out of the House and will now return to the Senate for a final vote …

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AFCCA Legislative Update – May 22, 2026

Provided by Capitol Consulting, LLC AFCCA Updates Following the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) formally approving the Funeral Board incorporation rules, the Department of Health Services and the Association met this week to discuss implementation next steps, including the development of policy and procedure guidelines for funeral industry businesses. We continue to work closely together to ensure that businesses have the resources and information needed to come into full compliance with the new rules as …

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AFCCA Legislative Update – May 15, 2026

Provided by Capitol Consulting, LLC AFCCA Updates The Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) has officially approved the Funeral Board incorporation rules, marking the final step in the rule approval process. HB2184 (fetal death; funeral homes) sponsored by Representative Julie Willoughby (R – Chandler) extends the timeline for completing and registering death certificates from seven calendar days to 14 days, excluding weekends and holidays. Additionally, it mandates that funeral establishments obtain a disposition-transit permit for the …

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Notice of New Rules Effective July 4, 2026

The Funeral Services Licensing rulemaking has been approved. The updated rules will go into effect on July 4, 2026. You may review the Notice of Final Rulemaking here: Notice of Final Rulemaking (as filed). To see the history of this rulemaking, please click here. We will be providing additional guidance. In the meantime, we encourage you to begin reviewing the updated rules. Below are a few key highlights: Funeral Establishments (see Article 3) A floor …

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