Funeral Industry Regulations and Enforcement
The funeral services profession provides services for the deceased and their families. Members of this profession prepare the bodies of the deceased through embalming, arrange for crematory services and provide services of assistance for family members of the deceased. The Massachusetts State Board of Registration of Embalming and Funeral Directing oversees the registration of these professionals and their apprentices and assistants. The Board also inspects the facilities of registered embalmers and funeral directors.
The Federal Trade Commission has a Funeral Rule requiring that all funeral homes provide a general price list (GPL) if you come in person. They must give you individual prices by phone. The national Funeral Consumers Alliance is working now to expand the Funeral Rule to require funeral homes to put their prices online, as well.
Massachusetts Rules and Regulations offer the following resources concerning funerals, burial, cremation, and disposition:
- Mass. Division of Professional Licensure – Funeral Consumers’ Fact Sheet
- Trial Court Law Libraries — Massachusetts law about burial, cremation, and funerals
- Mass. Department of Environmental Protection – Information for Local Boards of Health on Home Burials and Green Burials
- Community Sanitation Program — Issues to consider in preparing for disposition of decedents
- Mass. General Laws Chapter 114 – Cemeteries and Burials
If you have serious difficulties with a funeral home, you may file a complaint with the Massachusetts Board of Embalming and Funeral Directing. Consumer concerns regarding board licensees and registrants are handled by the Office of Investigations. You may submit your complaint online or by US mail.
Please also let us know, as we provide information to others in your area. We may be able to connect you with a volunteer to assist you with mediating your complaint.