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Arizona Board of Funeral Directors & Embalmers
Protecting the public since 1909
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Consumer Information

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We all have questions

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Continuing Education

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Welcome from the Director

Welcome to the State of Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers website. We understand that the death of a loved one is undoubtedly the most traumatic experience many of us will ever encounter.  By asking the right questions, comparing prices and services, and making informed decisions, you can make arrangements that are meaningful to your family.  This website was designed for both consumers and licensees alike. It contains a variety of information ranging from a directory of licensees to a guide for consumers under the publications link.  Feel free to send us your comments on any way you would like to see this site improved.

Judith Stapley, Executive Director

 

Board Updates

 Technical Issue (2/26/2021): The "License Search" page to view disciplinary actions is currently not functioning as it should. Please contact Board staff for assistance at 602-542-3095. We anticipate this technical issue being resolved soon.

 

Guidance for Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

(Updated 1-22-21) 

It is the fundamental responsibility of every citizen to do his or her part to help suppress the spread of this virus. Professionally, you also have a multi-point duty of care. This duty of care, which is consistent with state laws and regulations, is equally as critical to public health and welfare; reverent, dignified care of the deceased; and compassion to those who grieve. This is a responsibility that each of you are well versed in. While we are passionate for our own personal causes, we must yield to commonsense and the greater public welfare in the application of our duties.  Please take time to look over the references below for helpful information.

Funeral Home Fact Sheet from Arizona Department of Health Service

CDC Funeral Home Workers (updated 11-10-20)

National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) regarding Postmortem Guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) 

Frequently asked questions, Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Arizona Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Association (AFCCA) COVID-19 updates

Arizona Department of Health Service COVID-19 information

United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 

National Vital statistic Systems for certifying COVID-19 deaths

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Map

 

Do NOT conduct business with unlicensed Funeral Establishments

Funeral providers, please be aware of online SCAM organizations continually trying to conduct funeral business, particularly cremations, with licensed Funeral Establishments in Arizona.  These fraudulent companies are not appropriately licensed as funeral establishments.  They advertise under many different names that may make them appear to have the same name of a licensed provider in Arizona.  Here are some examples as reference:

https://www.kristv.com/news/6-investigates/why-did-a-widow-wait-24-days-for-her-husbands-ashes

https://wsvn.com/news/special-reports/dead-wrong-complaints-about-internet-cremation-companies-tied-to-father-son-team-2/ 

https://www.csbj.com/2016/03/02/bbb-warns-against-using-local-funeral-services-provider/

https://finalorders.fldfs.com/ViewImage.aspx?disn=84627

NFDA News

Do not confuse a fraudulent provider with a licensed funeral establishment in Arizona or elsewhere.  Take the time to verify the information you are being provided when contacted to perform cremation services for an out-of-state provider.  Funeral establishments must do their due diligence in protecting the consumers of Arizona from deceptive practices.  Contact the Board office if you have any concerns or need to verify licensure.

Consumers, please question the physical location to verify the validity of any funeral provider you find online claiming to offer discount cremation.  Make sure the funeral provider is a licensed funeral establishment in Arizona not just claiming to be a local provider.  Do not hesitate to contact the Board office for assistance if you are unsure of a funeral provides legitimacy. 

 Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) 32-1301 (54)(i)(k)(l) "Unprofessional conduct includes the following acts, whether occurring in this state or elsewhere: 

  • Falsely advertising or labeling any service or merchandise with the intention of deceiving the public. 
  • Committing any act involving dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, gross negligence or incompetence if the act has a reasonable relationship to funeral directing or embalming.
  • Engaging in any conduct or practice that is reasonably related to funeral directing or embalming and that is or may be harmful or dangerous to the health, safety or welfare of the public.

A.R.S. 32-1365 (A)(7), It is unlawful for any funeral establishment or funeral director to advertise under any name that tends to mislead the public or that sufficiently resembles the professional or business name of another licensed funeral director or establishment as to cause confusion or misunderstanding.

Alkaline Hydrolysis 

Curious about Alkaline Hydrolysis (AH) and would like to read up on the subject?  Click here to see what the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has to say:  

https://www.cremationassociation.org/blogpost/776820/313847/What-do-you-know-about-Alkaline-Hydrolysis

 

SHIPPING CREMATED REMAINS - UPDATED INFORMATION FROM USPS

United States Postal Service is improving the process to ship cremated remains.  Here is the link to view the updated requirements https://link.usps.com/2019/09/23/cremated-remains/ 

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

 

STATEMENT OF LOCATIONS WHERE ALL NOTICES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE ARIZONA STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND EMBALMERS WILL BE POSTED:

Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02A1a), the Arizona State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers (“Board”) hereby states that all notices of the meetings of the Board and any of its committees or subcommittees will be posted in the lobby of the Board office located at 1740 W. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85007.

This location is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., except for legal holidays and State mandated furlough days. The above notices for all meetings will also be posted on the Board’s website at www.funeralboard.az.gov under “Meetings and Minutes”.

Notices will indicate the date, time, and place of the meeting and will include an agenda or information concerning the manner in which the public may obtain an agenda for the meeting. 

 

VISION

To create and maintain a balance between fair and equitable business regulation and the protection of the public's health, safety and welfare in the use and purchase of goods and services required for death.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Funeral Board Office

The Funeral Board office is located at 1740 West Adams St., Suite 3006, Phoenix, Arizona 85007.  We no longer have fax accessibility, so please scan and email information to our email addresses:

Judith Stapley-Executive Director:
 [email protected]

Brandon Eaden-Investigator:
[email protected]

Evelyn Estrella-Licensing Administrator:
 [email protected]

Yazmin Bustamante-Administrative Assistant: 
[email protected]

Quick Links

  • Cremation Association of North America
  • International Cemetery and Funeral Association
  • National Funeral Directors Association
  • Arizona Funeral, Cemetery, and Cremation Association
  • Federal Trade Commission - Complying With The Funeral Rule
  • Arizona Army National Guard Honors Request
  • FY22 Agency Budget Submittal 
  • Arizona Commerce Authority - Business Startup
  • NFDA - International Human Remains Shipping Regulations
  • D.A.V.E. System - AZ Dept. of Health Services, Vital Records

Consumer Guides

Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers Consumer Guides can now be purchased online

 

Blue Law Books

Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers Blue Law Books can now be purchased online for $7.00 each

 

Annual Trust Report

You can now pay for your Annual Trust Report online at the Funeral Board Payment website.

 

Public Records Request Payment

Pay for your public records request.

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Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
1740 W. Adams St
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