How to Avoid Funeral Home Compliance Issues

Running a funeral home is a complex business. Not only do you have to deal with the day-to-day operations of running the business, but you also have to make sure you are in compliance with all relevant regulations. Funeral homes are subject to a number of state and federal regulations, and if you are not in compliance, you could face serious penalties. In this post, we will discuss some of the most common compliance issues faced by funeral homes and how to avoid them.

Licensing Requirements

One of the most common compliance issues faced by funeral homes is failing to meet licensing requirements. Funeral homes are required to be licensed by the state in which they operate. Each state has its own requirements for licensure, so it is important to check with your state’s licensing board to make sure you are meeting all of the necessary requirements.

In addition to being licensed by the state, funeral homes must also be registered with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC requires funeral homes to provide consumers with certain information, such as a price list of goods and services offered, before any agreements are made.

The FTC also regulates how funeral homes can advertise their services. Funeral homes are allowed to use certain terms in their advertising, but they cannot make false or misleading claims about their goods or services. For example, a funeral home cannot advertise that it offers “low-cost” funerals if its prices are actually higher than average.

Failure to Comply with OSHA Regulations

Another common compliance issue faced by funeral homes is failure to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. OSHA regulates a number of workplace safety issues, including exposure to hazardous materials, ergonomics, and electrical safety.

Funeral homes that handle human remains must take precautions to protect employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Employees must be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and must follow proper infection control procedures when handling human remains. In addition, funeral homes must have an exposure control plan that outlines how employee exposures will be prevented or minimized.

Funeral home compliance is a complex issue. There are many state and federal regulations that funeral homes must comply with, including licensing requirements, advertising standards set by the FTC, and workplace safety regulations set by OSHA. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in serious penalties for funeral homes. To avoid these penalties, it is important for funeral home owners and operators to be aware of the most common compliance issues faced by their businesses and take steps to ensure compliance.

Learn More About Funeral Home Compliance with MKS&H

MKS&H provides tax and accounting services to businesses of every size and in every industry. We can work with you to make taxes easily and avoid the most common mistakes. Contact us today for a consultation.

About MKS&H: McLean, Koehler, Sparks & Hammond (MKS&H) is a professional service firm with offices in Hunt Valley and Frederick. MKS&H helps owners and organizational leaders become more successful by putting complex financial data into truly meaningful context. But deeper than dollars and data, our focus is on developing an understanding of you, your culture and your business goals. This approach enables our clients to achieve their greatest potential.

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