Arizona State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers

Established in 1945, the Arizona State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers (Board) regulates individuals and facilities involved in funeral directing, embalming, and cremation. The Board should strengthen its licensing process by ensuring that application forms are consistent with all of its administrative rules. The Board should also apply late fees for untimely renewals, ensure that its renewal application forms are consistent with rules, and either audit continuing education or require documentation of it with the renewal application. In addition, the Board needs to improve its inspection process by inspecting facilities at least once every 5 years, as required by statute, and by better documenting inspection results and following up on deficiencies. Finally, the Board adequately investigated and resolved complaints in a timely manner, but should implement procedures for providing accurate and complete information to the public about those it regulates.