Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 250 - RULES OF GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE
Chapter 250-6 - ESTABLISHMENT/CREMATORY LICENSURE AND REGULATIONS
Rule 250-6-.09 - Responsibilities of the Funeral Director in Full & Continuous Charge

(a) Ensure that the establishment is licensed properly with the Board and maintains the license in active status at all times, as required by OCGA §§ 43-18-5(a), 43-18-46(25), & 43-18-73.

(b) Ensure that the funeral establishment complies with the provisions of OCGA § 43-18-70 and Rule 250-6-.06.

(c) Ensure that the crematory complies with the provisions of OCGA § 43-18-72 and Rule 250-6-.07.

(d) Ensure that every individual who will serve as embalmer, director, or apprentice is licensed properly with the Board and maintains the appropriate license at all times while they are in the employ of the establishment, as required by OCGA §§ 43-18-5(a)& 43-18-46(18), (25).

(e) Ensure that no one employed by or representing the establishment gives or contracts to give any person or business entity anything of value to induce such person or entity to persuade someone to use the services of the establishment or any embalmer or director employed by the establishment. Such practice is prohibited by OCGA §§ 43-18-5(d)& 43-18-46(7).

(f) Ensure that no one employed by or representing the establishment accepts anything of value to influence, persuade, or suggest to family members as to where a body should or should not be buried. Such practice is prohibited by OCGA § 43-18-5(e).

(g) Ensure that all deceased human bodies are released to the legally authorized person upon request of that person, in accordance with OCGA §§ 43-18-5(f)& 43-18-46(16).

(h) Ensure that every deceased body serviced by the establishment is properly tagged prior to interment or cremation and that all cremated remains are labeled in accordance with the provisions of OCGA § 43-18-8(a).

(i) Ensure that the certificate of cremation is completed with notarized signature and presented to the legally authorized person at the time of delivery or release, in accordance with OCGA § 43-18-8(b).

(j) Ensure that the licenses or wall certificates issued by the Board to the establishment and all licensed people employed by the establishment are posted in a conspicuous place in the establishment, as required by OCGA § 43-18-44.

(k) Ensure that the name of the proper embalmer and funeral director is listed on all death certificates. If the name of the embalmer and/or funeral director is signed on the death certificate, it must be the actual signature of the person, in accordance with OCGA § 43-18-46(4), (9).

(l) Ensure that charges for merchandise and services rendered are in compliance with the General Price List, casket price list, outer burial container list, or the funeral services contract price list, as required by 16CFR 453.2 & OCGA § 43-18-46(17).

(m) Ensure that the General Price List is provided upon request, regardless of the reason for the request, as required by 16CFR 453.2.

(n) Ensure that a written, signed contract is provided to every customer upon completion of the contract negotiation and is available at the establishment for a period of 3 years.

(o) Ensure compliance with the terms of the funeral services contract, as required by OCGA § 43-18-46(12).

(p) Ensure that all statements made regarding services, merchandise, and legal requirements are accurate, in accordance with OCGA § 43-18-46(11), (23). The FDFCC must ensure that all employees are educated regarding services, merchandise, and legal requirements so as to provide accurate information and to avoid misleading the public.

(q) Safeguard the decedent's dignity, right to privacy, or right to confidentiality, unless compelled by law to do otherwise, in accordance with OCGA § 43-18-46(13).

(r) Ensure that assigned benefits in excess of the charges incurred are remitted to the assignee of the deceased within 10 working days of the receipt of the assigned funds, as required by OCGA § 43-18-46(15), (26).

(s) Ensure that the establishment refrains from involvement in burial societies, burial associations, burial certificate plans, or burial membership plans, which are prohibited by OCGA § 43-18-46(19).

(t) Ensure that all employees and agents of the establishment refrain from soliciting as defined in OCGA § 43-18-1(21). Soliciting is prohibited by OCGA § 43-18-46(20).

(u) Ensure that all apprenticeship service reports and affidavits of embalming and directing for apprentices of the establishment are accurate and signed by the appropriate supervisor(s), in accordance with OCGA §§ 43-18-46(21)& 43-18-52.

(v) Ensure that apprentices of the establishment work under the direct supervision of the supervisor(s) on record with the Board, in accordance with OCGA § 43-18-50. It is mandatory that the FDFCC ensure that any changes in the supervision of apprentices are reported on the application provided by the Board and are approved by the Board prior to the apprentices working under the new supervisor(s).

(w) Ensure that the Board is notified upon the termination of an apprentice employed by the establishment.

(x) Ensure that the establishment complies with all federal, state, and local regulations as listed in OCGA § 43-18-46(22).

(y) Ensure that discrimination, as described in OCGA § 43-18-46(24), is not tolerated in the establishment.

(z) Ensure that all personal properties obtained from dead human remains are safeguarded and disposed of as directed by the legally authorized person, in accordance with OCGA § 43-18-46(25).

(aa) Ensure that all employees of the establishment conduct themselves in a professional, moral, ethical manner, and report any misconduct to the Board promptly with an explanation of any disciplinary action taken, as required by OCGA § 43-18-46(14), (27).

(bb) Ensure that the prohibition of activities by a funeral director who is also a coroner or minister, found in OCGA § 43-18-46(28), is adhered to by employees of the establishment with such dual roles.

(cc) Ensure that all embalmers and funeral directors employed by the establishment comply with the provisions of OCGA § 43-18-55 and 43-18-56, regarding continuing education.

(dd) Ensure that the FDFCC complies with the responsibilities detailed in OCGA § 43-18-71 by assuming full responsibility for the supervision and operation of the funeral establishment, acting as FDFCC only for the establishment for which the FDFCC was approved, and spending a minimum of 40 hours per week in the employ and operation of the establishment and being accessible and available to the community. The FDFCC for each funeral establishment and/or crematory establishment shall conspicuously display his/her name and current active license in all designated arrangement offices.

(ee) Ensure that the Board is notified within 5 days of the FDFCC's separation from the establishment, as required by OCGA § 43-18-71(b).

(ff) Ensure that the Board is notified within 15 days prior to a change of ownership in the establishment, as required by OCGA § 43-18-73(b).

(gg) Ensure that the Board is notified within 5 days of the destruction of the establishment by fire, flood, or other natural cause, in accordance with OCGA § 43-18-78. If the establishment wishes to operate from a temporary location, the FDFCC must ensure that a letter requesting a 90-day grace period is submitted to the Board. The FDFCC will be responsible to update the Board within 90 days on the status of rebuilding efforts and to request subsequent 90-day grace periods if necessary to continue operating from the temporary site approved by the Board.

(hh) Ensure that the establishment is made available for inspection by representatives of the Professional Licensing Boards Division, as required by OCGA § 43-18-75(a)& Rule 250-6-.06.

(ii) Ensure that violations found by inspectors are corrected promptly and fines levied resulting from violations are paid or appealed to the Board in writing within 30 days as stated on the citation report.

(jj) Ensure that cremated remains are disposed of in accordance with the provisions of OCGA § 43-18-80.

(kk) Notify the Board within 5 days of an inspection by the manufacturer or authorized crematory repair company indicating less than satisfactory results, and ensure that necessary repairs are made immediately, not to exceed 30 days without approval by the Board.

(ll) Ensure that any employee who operates a cremation device is certified as a crematory operator from a course approved by the Board prior to operating such cremation device.