Notice of Revised Draft Rules and Feedback Opportunity

On behalf of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Bureau of Licensing for Professions and Occupations (BLPO), AFCCA is sharing important updates regarding the Human Remains (Funeral Board Incorporation) rulemaking drafts. Following the recent survey (which closed September 14, 2025), BLPO reviewed your feedback on Article 4 rules, which cover licensure and operation requirements for crematories. Updates have been made to the draft based on the comments received. To review the updated draft rules, …

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Share Your Feedback on the Updated Accreditation and Policy Manual

Since the 2025 Annual Conference, the Committee on Accreditation (COA) has devoted countless hours to a major update of the Accreditation and Policy Manual. While the Manual has seen minor tweaks and additions over the past decade, this is the first time it has undergone a complete, cover-to-cover review. Why This Update Matters The goal of this project was not just to tidy things up, but to make the Manual more useful and accessible for …

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Top 5 Reasons to Attend Arranger Training Programs

REGISTER TODAY Do you find yourself wondering why more and more families are asking for direct cremation? Do you find yourself stumbling over your words when you’re trying to explain the value of having a funeral or other memorial event? Is it harder for you to relate to the needs of families that walk through the doors of your funeral home today? Mark your calendars! AFCCA is hosting the NFDA Arrangement Skills Masterclass on October 8, …

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Arizona Excellence on a National Stage: Bradbury Memorial Center Honored by NFDA

We are proud to share that the NFDA’s 2025 Pursuit of Excellence Awards—one of the funeral service profession’s highest honors—recognizes only the most outstanding funeral homes worldwide. Among the elite group of 271 recipients is our very own Bradbury Memorial Center in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This award celebrates funeral homes that go above and beyond—demonstrating exceptional integrity, innovation, compassionate service, community outreach, and ethical leadership. By receiving this prestigious award, Bradbury Memorial Center reinforces …

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Be Ready for Upcoming Compliance Inspections

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. To help, we’ve pulled together some of the most common trends that the department has noticed. Think of this as a “checklist of reminders” rather than a complete list — and a …

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Draft Rules for Article 3 & 4 Now Open for Review

The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS), Bureau of Licensing for Professions and Occupations (BLPO), has released the draft rules for Article 3 and Article 4. These drafts are now available for review, and your feedback is an important part of the process. What You Need to Know Both drafts are open for public comment through September 14, 2025. Each draft has an accompanying online survey to collect your input. Your expertise and perspective as …

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Navigating the Rules Writing Process with AZDHS

The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) is currently engaged in the rules writing process that directly impacts the funeral profession. These rules will shape how we operate across the state, making it vital for professionals in the field to stay engaged and provide feedback. When AFCCA reaches out for your input or when public comment periods are open, we strongly encourage you to participate and ensure your voice is heard. We also need your …

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Participate in a Study on Work-Life Balance in High-Stress Occupations

AFCCA is sharing the following research opportunity on behalf of a doctoral student at Edgewood University. This study focuses on understanding work-life balance in high-stress professions, including funeral service. You are invited to participate in an anonymous survey titled:“Work-Life Balance in High-Stress Occupations: A Comparative Study of Funeral Service, Paramedic, and Firefighting Sectors.” This study has been approved by Edgewood University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and explores how workplace conditions, personal coping strategies and organizational …

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AZDHS Releases Updated Draft Rules for Article 3 – Feedback Requested by August 17

he Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) Bureau of Licensing has released updated draft rules for Article 3, following the July 1, 2025, Funeral Workgroup Meeting. These revisions reflect input gathered during the meeting and through the public survey that closed on July 6. Key Updates: Meeting notes from the July 1 Workgroup Meeting are now available. The revised draft of Article 3 has been posted. A new online survey is now open to collect …

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Statement of Deficiencies with a Plan of Correction (POC)

Statements of Deficiencies are only sent via email from the Licensing Management System (noreplyelicensing@azdhs.gov) to the email address of record for a facility or individual. If you receive a Statement of Deficiencies with an option to submit a Plan of Correction (POC), please ensure the submitted POC includes specific details outlining the steps the facility and/or responsible individual have taken or will take to resolve each of the cited violation(s).  The POC should include policies, …

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