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Arizona Board of Funeral Directors & Embalmers
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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.

 

Natasha Culbertson, Executive Director

Board Updates

Funeral Board license(s) become renewal eligible by May 4th of each year.  Between May 4th  and July 1st, you may renew your license(s) without a late fee.  Between July 2nd and August 1st,  you may still renew your license(s) with the addition of a late fee.  If you fail to renew your license(s) on or before August 1st, it will lapse/expire.  If your license lapses and you wish to become licensed again with the Funeral Board, you will need to apply as a new applicant.  

 

FEMA Funeral Assistance

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized FEMA to provide financial assistance to individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020. On March 24, FEMA issued its final policy – which includes details such as eligibility and documentation criteria and the application process – for how funds will be distributed to families. Most notably, FEMA shared that the maximum financial assistance will now be $9,000 per funeral.

Although funeral establishments are not responsible for administering this assistance, individuals will see you as a key resource they can turn to for guidance. Visit the FEMA Funeral Assistance Page to learn more.

Please be aware establishments and consumers are being targeted by scammers regarding the FEMA COVID-19 payout program. The link provided below is for an article from AARP warning of unsolicited calls and emails offering to help with FEMA applications. 

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2021/fema-coronavirus-funeral-scams.html

 

 

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/

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.

 
 
HOW ARE WE DOING? 
We strive to continuously improve. We invite you to complete the Feedback form to let us know how we are doing.
 
 
 

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:

Natasha Culbertson-Executive Director:
[email protected]

Tracie Smith-Investigator:
[email protected]

Marisa Zavala-Licensing Administrator:
[email protected]

Vacant- Administrative Assistant

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
  • Arizona Commerce Authority - Business Startup
  • NFDA - International Human Remains Shipping Regulations
  • D.A.V.E. System - AZ Dept. of Health Services, Vital Records
  • Monthly Vital Statistics-AZ Dept. of Health Services

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 are currently out of stock and cannot be purchased at this time. Please use the link located under the About tab, Statutes and Rules option to review the Board's statutes and rules until the Blue Law Books are available for purchase again.

Public Records Request Payment

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