The best funeral directors juggle many different roles, all while providing compassion and support to grieving families. A funeral director will have to speak with families, organize services, manage the work of employees, balance the finances of the business, maintain the equipment necessary for embalming and other processes, and follow medical and legal guidelines regarding working with the deceased. Funeral directors require both a strong mind for business as well as the mental strength to deal with their clients' grief.
Funeral directors are trusted by families to care for their loved ones after death. When there are allegations that this trust has been misplaced, the public reaction can be swift and unforgiving. If you are a funeral director in danger of losing your license, you need help to manage your legal defense and protect your reputation. At the Lento Law Firm, our nationwide Professional License Defense Team will guide you through the process from beginning to end and keep you advised of your legal rights and options.
Protecting Your Funeral Director License
Obtaining a license to work as a funeral director requires complex skills and several types of information. In addition to earning at least an associate's degree, states have varying requirements for apprenticeships under the supervision of an experienced mortician. Funeral directors must also pass an exam that consists of questions in multiple subjects, from embalming and microbiology to business law and advertising.
After passing their exam and earning a license from the funeral board or other state agency, funeral directors must complete continuing education credits on a yearly or biennial basis. Failing to complete these credits can result in administrative suspensions or other disciplinary measures.
Licenses for funeral directors in most states are renewed every year or every other year. Funeral directors may also receive audits that check for compliance with state and federal regulations. Licenses might not be renewed for many reasons, including failure to comply with education or reporting requirements, failing audit checks, or complaints from families. If you believe you are facing discipline from the funeral board or other state agency, contact the professional license defense team at the Lento Law Firm today.
Disciplinary Actions Against Funeral Director Licenses
In the funeral practice, clients' emotions are running high. People who are grieving may be dealing with emotions like anger, guilt, sadness, fear, and frustration, all of which may lead families to lash out at the funeral director by filing a complaint. The funeral board or other state agency understands that some complaints may be based on nothing more than an emotional overreaction by family members. However, there are many times when complaints will trigger further investigations.
When a client complaint or funeral audit discovers additional problems, like sloppy embalming practices, problems with body storage or body conditions, failure to provide headstones or other arrangements that were agreed upon, or aggressively upselling or overcharging clients, the state licensing agency can take actions to discipline the funeral director. These actions start with an investigation into the conduct and business of the funeral director.
After the investigation, the funeral board or state agency may decide that there is not enough evidence to proceed with the case or might continue the case to a hearing. At the hearing, you will be able to put on evidence in your defense. If you don't want to go to a hearing, the funeral board or state agency may agree to settle the charges if you sign a consent order.
The consent order is your admission to the charges against you and acceptance of the penalties. If you do not sign a consent order and proceed to the hearing, the funeral board or licensing board will weigh the evidence against you and decide if you are innocent or guilty. If they find against you, they will decide your punishment. In some states, you may have the right to appeal a negative decision against you if you act quickly. The skilled Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can review your situation and advise you of your best course of action.
What Types of Discipline Might Funeral Directors Face?
The process of being investigated and the prospect of losing your license can be scarier than anything else you've faced in your years as a mortician. But investigations into a funeral director license don't always result in revocations. In many instances, working with the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help you negotiate an agreement that keeps your license active.
An attorney can help you reach a resolution that has a lesser consequence than license revocation. You could be required to pay fines, go to a treatment program, complete additional educational courses, or have only a temporary suspension. While disciplinary hearings can be complex and unpredictable, working with the team at the Lento Law Firm will prepare you to defend yourself effectively.
Protect Your Professional License with Our Professionals
Working in the funeral industry can be a rewarding and satisfying profession. Providing comfort to grieving families and helping send people to their final resting place is an honorable career that should be protected. If you are being investigated for fraud, theft, or other offenses, contact Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the skilled Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm today.
Our team operates nationwide and can help you with your professional disciplinary issues wherever you are located. We can act as your legal advocates and help you prepare a defense to letters and other communications from the funeral board or state. We can represent you in hearings where allowed and help you to prepare a defense with strong evidence and witnesses. We can also work with the funeral board and agents of the state to negotiate a deal that works for you. Call 888-535-3686 or go online to retain the team at the Lento Law firm now.
