Regulations
This is a really difficult topic, but one that needs to be thought about. This article, entitled “Lack of collective mourning shows way pandemic has altered grief“, appeared in Sunday’s Minneapolis Star Tribune. It is thought provoking and gets to the essence of why modern funeral directors exist — to care for the living. It…
Read MoreI came across this article from Scoop of New Zealand entitled, “Collaboration to benefit funeral services industry“. The details of the article go on to tell how different educational institutes in New Zealand are collaborating to develop programs of study for the funeral services industry. For instance, Open Polytechnic “will develop the educational resources, deliver…
Read MoreThe Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) “Funeral Rule” is up for review this summer and the comment period for public opinion into the rule ended on Monday. So, now that that period is over. . what comes next? First, a little review on the Funeral Rule. According to the Federal Register of the Federal Trace Commission…
Read MoreOn Monday the United States Supreme Court issued its opinion in a case that was partly brought to that court from a Michigan funeral home lawsuit alleging discrimination in employment as it pertains to gay, lesbian, and transgender people. Here is what an article from Real Clear Politics (RCP) says of this decision. “The Supreme…
Read MoreIn our continuing efforts to keep death care professionals up to date on information available to the profession we pass these items along to you. Please feel free to share with colleagues and others in the industry. Webinar: NFDA Town Hall. This informational webinar is brought to us by the National Funeral Directors Association. Its…
Read MoreToday (which is Tuesday-as I usually write these columns a day ahead of time) in Minnesota is a warm, humid morning with threats of rain. I usually take a run every morning and because of the weather I did so indoors on the treadmill while flashing the television between CNBC and Fox News. The television…
Read MoreAccording to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy a bill has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature that would expand licensing requirements for funeral home directors. The bill, House Bill 4437, is sponsored by Rep. Rodney Wakeman R-Saginaw Township and would require anyone practicing mortuary science to get a bachelor’s degree from select universities and…
Read MoreWe learned earlier this week and it was reported in this USA Today article that states in part, “Aimee Stephens, a transgender Michigan woman whose case questioning whether federal law protected transgender individuals from job discrimination became the first of its kind to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court died Tuesday. She was 59.”…
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