Regulations

Lawsuit against Park Lawn affiliate

By Funeral Director Daily / June 23, 2020 /

Last week Funeral Director Daily learned about a lawsuit against a Park Lawn affiliate cemetery from this article.  The article contends that the American Moslem Society (AMS) of Dearborn, Michigan, has filed a lawsuit alleging an attempt by Woodmere Cemetery to breach its contract with the mosque. According to the article, AMS has purchased more…

FTC Funeral Rule comment period ends. . . what’s next?

By Funeral Director Daily / June 18, 2020 /

The 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…

Supreme Court rules in “landmark” civil rights case partly stemming from funeral home employment issue

By Funeral Director Daily / June 17, 2020 /

On 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…

News funeral professionals can use

By Funeral Director Daily / June 1, 2020 /

In 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…

How COVID-19 death care can affect the economy in many ways

By Funeral Director Daily / May 27, 2020 /

Today (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…

A Memorial Day like no other

By Funeral Director Daily / May 22, 2020 /

Monday will bring Memorial Day to those of us in the United States.  It is a day like none other.  Not only does it serve as the weekend when summer begins, but it ultimately is the day all Americans should solemnly, sometime during the day, ponder and give thanks to all who were willing to…

Michigan bill seeks to expand licensing requirements for funeral directors

By Funeral Director Daily / May 19, 2020 /

According 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…

Plaintiff in funeral home discrimination suit dies this week

By Funeral Director Daily / May 15, 2020 /

We 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.”…

News funeral professionals can use

By Funeral Director Daily / May 14, 2020 /

In our continuing effort to bring our readers and their friends and colleagues information that is not only timely, but practical, we bring you the following information on webinars and other information. Please note that one of our webinars that is highlighted is live TODAY at 3:00 pm Eastern Time and 2:00 pm Central time. …

Coronavirus illness among staff closes funeral home

By Funeral Director Daily / May 4, 2020 /

This was bound to happen so we probably should not be surprised by this headline.  However, it still seemed surreal to me when I read in this article from the Arizona Daily Star that a Tucson, Arizona, funeral home had been closed due to “a number of staff” members falling ill and being required to…