Policies: Funeral and Cemetery Board

Annual report documents

WAC 308-49-170(2) Annual statement requirements

The board waives the need for a balance sheet and a profit and loss statement to be filed with the annual report for funeral establishments.

This policy will be implemented no later than July 1, 2014 and will be in effect until such time as the board formally adopts administrative rules.

Washington State Funeral and Cemetery Board, 5/6/2014

Funeral establishment advertising

RCW 18.235.130: Unprofessional Conduct - Acts or conditions that constitute

The Board doesn't consider the use of P.O. Box numbers in funeral establishment advertising as:

1. False, deceptive or misleading advertising
2. Constituting unprofessional conduct

Washington State Funeral and Cemetery Board, 8/10/2010

Recognized subject categories

RCW 18.39.045: College course requirements

The board recognizes the following college course subject categories as meeting the educational requirements outlined in RCW 18.39.045.

Social Science

(Subjects with ** can apply as both a Social Science and a Behavioral Science course.)

• American Cultural Studies
• American Indian Studies
• Anthropology**
• Asian American Studies
• Communications
• Economics
• Environmental Studies
• Forest Resources
• Geography
• Government
• History**
• Human Services
• International Studies
• Linguistics
• Music
• Political Science
• Psychology*
• Religion
• Social Studies
• Social Work
• Sociology**
• Speech Communications
• Urban Design and Planning
• Women Studies

Behavioral Science

• Anthropology
• History
• Liberal Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Women Studies

Elective Courses

• Behavioral Sciences (see list above)
• Public Speaking
• Counseling
• Business Administration and Management
• First Aid

Washington State Funeral and Cemetery Board, 11/6/2012. Policy 18.39.045-1

Qualifying activities for interns and sponsor responsibilities

• RCW 18.39.120: Registration - Renewal - Notice of Termination - Fees
• WAC 308-48-150: Course of training - Funeral director interns
• WAC 308-48-160: Course of training - Embalmer interns

The board recognizes the following tasks provide interns the appropriate experience to assist in obtaining licensure as a funeral director or embalmer, and expects interns to complete these activities at a minimum during the course of the internship

Funeral director intern activities

1. Receive initial notification of death.
2. Remove remains from place of death.
3. Wear protective clothing/observe universal precautions.
4. Obtain the identity of remains/place identification on remains.
5. Comply with embalming/refrigeration regulations.
6. Observe funeral arrangements.
7. Conduct arrangement conference.
8. Gather vital statistic information.
9. Compose obituary/death notices.
10. Obtain authorizations for embalming, cremation, release etc.
11. Obtain burial transit permit.
12. Complete Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected.
13. Plan and coordinate service and disposition details.
14. Present and explain a General Price List.
15. Present and explain Casket price list.
16. Present and explain Outer Burial Container price list.
17. Determine financial responsibility.
18. Document and remove personal effects.
19. Complete and file death certificate.
20. Obtain certified copies of death certificate.
21. Explain FTC requirements.
22. Explain Social Security and VA benefits.
23. Assist with visitation.
24. Assist with funeral/memorial or graveside service.
25. Receive and arrange flowers.
26. Viewing room set-up.
27. Make disposition arrangements.
28. Maintain appropriate licensing.
29. Maintain confidentiality of information.
30. Coordinate funeral service participants (clergy, military, etc.)
31. Prepare and present honorariums/gratuities.
32. Conclude service and dismiss attendees.
33. Arrange casket/urn settings.
34. Confirm identity of decedent prior to disposition.
35. Complete disposition of cremated human remains.

Embalmer intern activities

1. Wear protective clothing/universal precautions.
2. Obtain identity of decedent.
3. Bathe and disinfect remains.
4. Obtain or verify embalming authorization.
5. Place and position deceased on embalming table.
6. Relieve rigor mortis.
7. Clean and inventory personal effects.
8. Perform pre-embalming case analysis.
9. Select and mix embalming fluids.
10. Shave the deceased.
11. Set features.
12. Make incision.
13. Locate and raise vessels for injection/drainage.
14. Inject vessels.
15. Establish fluid distribution.
16. Establish drainage.
17. Treat discolorations, bruises, lacerations.
18. Suture incisions.
19. Perform autopsy repair (thoracic/abdominal).
20. Cranial autopsy repair.
21. Aspirate and inject/treat cavities.
22. Trocar button/suture.
23. Suture autopsy incision.
24. Cosmetize remains.
25. Dress remains.
26. Restorative art.
27. Inject tissue filler.
28. Dispose of bio-hazardous waste.
29. Hypodermic treatment.
30. Place remains in casket/container.
31. Treat orifices.
32. Groom hands and nails.
33. Remove medical devises/implants.
34. Post embalming clean-up.
35. Wrap and/or pouch remains.

The board also recognizes that sponsors have responsibilities to provide meaningful evaluation during the internship and will ensure their interns also meet these expectations:

• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Comply with laws, rules, and regulations governing funeral service and business operations.
• Comply with OSHA standards.
• Comply with laws, rules, and regulations regarding pre-arrangement sales and funding contracts.
• Maintain awareness of changes in funeral service law.
• Apply an understanding of funeral service law.

Washington State Funeral and Cemetery Board, 11/6/2012, revised 8/5/14