The Funeral Profession and a Time of Need

As a funeral professionals, we are subject to comments, some true and some false. This current pandemic has brought some interesting comments. A Common Misconception of the Funeral Industry “You are lucky, your business must be booming during all of this.” A common misconception of the Funeral Industry – that we profit off of pandemics and mass fatality. This is due to a lack of understanding, and perhaps lack of proper communication on our industry’s …

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Covid-19 Updates Archive

July 31, 2020 Family Service Counselors have been seeing a rise in Preneed requests. Here are some resources that may help you when meeting with families virtually. Technology Resources for PreNeed Sales July 23, 2020 Updates Continuation of Executive Order 2020-43 Slowing the Spread of COVID-19 Major points from today’s press conference with Governor Ducey.  The Governor also announced the extension of an Executive Order pausing operations on gyms, bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, water parks, and tubing. …

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Funeral Service Foundation’s Suite of Scholarships

Funeral Service Foundation has put together a poster documenting scholarships for all stages of your career! Take advantage of these scholarships while in school or to attend NFDA events through out the year. AFCCA’s mission statement supports continuing education of its members, please pass along to your staff and colleagues! Download: Funeral Service Foundation Scholarship Opportunities and Information Or visit FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarships for more information.

SB 1274- Relating to Funeral Board Composition

professional regulatory boards; composition – Introduced by Senator Ugenti-Rita Read introduced version here: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/54leg/2R/bills/SB1274P.htm This bill is going to change the composition of the state board from four industry members /three public members to four public members/three industry members. Putting the balance higher on the public side. AFCCA Position: We have opposed this bill and have written to the Governor’s office asking for reconsideration. The funeral industry has intricate details involving public health and safety that …

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HB2249 – Relating to Personal Representatives and Probate

personal representatives; funeral directors; prohibition – Introduced by Representative Bollick Read introduced version here: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/54leg/2R/bills/HB2249P.htm Accepted Amended version: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/54leg/2R/bills/HB2249H.htm This bill prohibit Funeral Directors and/or Funeral Establishment Owners from appointing themselves as personal executives of the estate. AFCCA Position: We support a bill that will help regulate probate as it stands to the funeral industry, we have been working to ensure verbiage is correct. This bill will most likely pass, and we will hopefully be able to …

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SB 1136 – Relating to Funeral Director Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships; funeral directors; embalmers; cremationists- Introduced by Senator Pace Read introduced version here: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/54leg/2R/bills/SB1136P.htm This bill will allow a funeral home to start an Apprenticeship program through the US Department of Labor to forgo attending an accredited college to receive their degree in Mortuary Science. It does not affect obtaining a license, but it does eliminate the need for education. Please view the US Dept of Labor Apprenticeship Program at this website (search for Funeral Director): …

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2020 Cemetery Maintenance Seminar Recap

On February 12th, 2020 we held another fantastic Cemetery Maintenance Seminar, held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Avondale, AZ.  Thank you to Paty Rodriguez, Michaela Cannon, Rudy and the rest of the staff for working so hard to make sure this event was the success it was! We had a great lineup of speakers this year that covered everything from historical markers, lots and lots of soil and water conservation. Thank You Speakers Cleaning …

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Maricopa County of Vital Registration (MCOVR) – East Valley Relocation

Dear Funeral Home Partners & Stakeholders, Effective Monday, February 24, 2020, we will open our doors to the public at 331 E. Coury Avenue, Mesa, AZ  85210.  The last date of service at the location on 4419 E Main St., Ste. 105 in Mesa will be Friday, February 28, 2020.  For those funeral home establishments who do not order death certificates or do not utilize the funeral home charge account, please refer eligible parties or family …

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Now Accepting Applications: 2020-2021 National Board Exam Committee

National Board Exam Committee Each year, The Conference Board of Directors appoints members of the NBE Arts and NBE Sciences Committees to serve a one-year, voluntary appointment. Committee members are dually licensed practitioners from across the country who are responsible for maintaining the National Board Exam. These subject-matter experts provide general oversight of the licensing examination. This includes item development, with an ongoing mission to maintain and review items at various stages of the exam …

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FTC Funeral Rule Review: What to Expect

Written for NFDA’s Memorial Business Journal – January 23, 2020 Vol. 11 No. 4 www.nfda.org CHICAGO – Last year was supposed to be the year that the FTC’s Funeral Rule would be opened up for review – 2019 came and went without this much anticipated event taking place. During their presentation at the recent NFDA International Convention & Expo, “FTC Funeral Rule: Reducing Your Risk,” T. Scott Gilligan, NFDA general counsel, and Patti Poss, coordinator …

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