Who Regulates Funerals in the U.S.: Nationally and By State

Funerals are deeply personal, but they are also regulated by a range of laws to protect consumers, ensure transparency, and maintain public health. In the U.S., funeral services are regulated by both federal and state authorities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces basic consumer protections, while individual states regulate the licensing and operation of funeral homes, crematories, and related services. This guide breaks down funeral regulations by state, highlighting the relevant state agencies responsible for overseeing these services.

National-Level Oversight

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Funeral Rule

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule provides essential protections for consumers by ensuring transparency and preventing unfair practices in the funeral industry. The Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to:

Offer an itemized price list.
Inform consumers that embalming is not legally required in most cases.
Provide consumers with the option to choose only the goods and services they want.

You can learn more about the FTC Funeral Rule here.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA establishes safety standards for handling remains, particularly for those involved in embalming, cremation, and body preparation. These regulations help protect workers and maintain public health standards.

State-Level Regulation

While the FTC offers nationwide protection, the day-to-day regulation of funeral services is handled by individual states. State funeral boards or health departments often oversee licensing, consumer complaints, and standards for funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries.

State-by-State Breakdown of Funeral Regulations

The table below provides a comprehensive look at the primary regulatory bodies in each state, including links to relevant websites for further details.

State	Regulatory Body	Licensing Agency	Link to Regulator
Alabama	Alabama Board of Funeral Service	Alabama Board of Funeral Service	Alabama Board
Alaska	Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development	Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing	Alaska Licensing
Arizona	Arizona State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers	Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers	Arizona Board
Arkansas	Arkansas State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors	Arkansas Department of Health	Arkansas Board
California	California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau	California Department of Consumer Affairs	California Bureau
Colorado	Colorado Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration	Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies	Colorado DORA
Connecticut	Connecticut Department of Public Health	Connecticut State Department of Public Health	CT DPH
Delaware	Delaware Board of Funeral Services	Division of Professional Regulation	Delaware Board
Florida	Florida Department of Financial Services	Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services	Florida DFS
Georgia	Georgia Board of Funeral Service	Georgia Secretary of State	Georgia Board
Hawaii	Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs	Hawaii Department of Health	Hawaii DCCA
Idaho	Idaho State Board of Morticians	Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses	Idaho Board
Illinois	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation	Division of Funeral Directors and Embalmers	Illinois DFPR
Indiana	Indiana Professional Licensing Agency	State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service	Indiana Board
Iowa	Iowa Department of Public Health	Bureau of Professional Licensure	Iowa DPH
Kansas	Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts	Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts	Kansas Board
Kentucky	Kentucky Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors	Kentucky Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors	Kentucky Board
Louisiana	Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors	Louisiana Department of Health	Louisiana Board
Maine	Maine Board of Funeral Service	Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation	Maine Board
Maryland	Maryland Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors	Maryland Department of Health	Maryland Board
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing	Division of Professional Licensure	Massachusetts Board
Michigan	Michigan Board of Mortuary Science	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)	Michigan LARA
Minnesota	Minnesota Department of Health	Minnesota Department of Health	Minnesota DPH
Mississippi	Mississippi State Board of Funeral Service	Mississippi Department of Health	Mississippi Board
Missouri	Missouri Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors	Missouri Division of Professional Registration	Missouri Board
Montana	Montana Board of Funeral Service	Montana Department of Labor and Industry	Montana Board
Nebraska	Nebraska Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers	Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services	Nebraska DHHS
Nevada	Nevada State Funeral Board	Nevada Funeral and Cemetery Services Board	Nevada Board
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers	New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification	NH Board
New Jersey	New Jersey Board of Mortuary Science	New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs	New Jersey Board
New Mexico	New Mexico Board of Funeral Services	New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department	New Mexico Board
New York	New York Department of Health	New York Bureau of Funeral Directing	NY DOH
North Carolina	North Carolina Board of Funeral Service	North Carolina Department of Insurance	NC Board
North Dakota	North Dakota State Board of Funeral Service	North Dakota Department of Health	North Dakota Board
Ohio	Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors	Ohio Department of Commerce	Ohio Board
Oklahoma	Oklahoma Funeral Board	Oklahoma State Department of Health	Oklahoma Board
Oregon	Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board	Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services	Oregon Board
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors	Pennsylvania Department of State	PA Board
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers	Rhode Island Department of Health	Rhode Island DOH
South Carolina	South Carolina Board of Funeral Service	South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation	SC Board
South Dakota	South Dakota Board of Funeral Service	South Dakota Department of Health	South Dakota Board
Tennessee	Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers	Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance	[

Trends in State Regulations

Cremation and Aquamation

Cremation has become a popular choice in many states, but each state has its own rules regarding cremation practices. Some, like New York, require explicit authorizations, while others allow more flexibility. Meanwhile, aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) is gaining legal acceptance but is only permitted in a handful of states, including California, Maine, and Minnesota. See more here.

Green Burials

As environmental awareness grows, several states, like California and Washington, have begun facilitating green burials, which emphasize minimal environmental impact. These states allow biodegradable materials and prohibit embalming fluids, making the process more eco-friendly.

How Consumers Can Navigate Funeral Regulations

Know Your Rights

Funeral regulations vary by state, and it’s important to understand the laws where you live. Consumers should always ask for an itemized price list and understand that embalming is not always required.

File Complaints

If you believe your rights have been violated, or a funeral home is not complying with the law, you can file a complaint with your state’s funeral board or the Federal Trade Commission.