| Each state has a trade association
for funeral directors but the New York State Funeral Directors Association, Inc.,
(NYSFDA), founded in 1889, is the nationally recognized leader of state
funeral directory associations in the United States. With headquarters located
in the state capital in Albany, this is the oldest association of funeral directors
in the country. The membership of this trade association is comprised of
750 funeral parlors and is considered to be a powerful organization.
NYSFDA is actively involved in Government
lobbying at the local as well as at the regulatory level. They provide their
members with a monthly newsletter advising of important industry information,
offer a Credit Union to funeral directors, and provide education, training, seminars
and conferences. Their
mission statement: “To enhance the environment in which our members operate
and to promote the highest standards of funeral service to the public.”
The New York State Legislature passed
a law on June 20th that will benefit consumers in the funeral industry.
The Funeral Consumer Protection Act was originally passed two years ago and states
that all funds which a consumer pays to pre-fund their funerals be held safely
in a trust fund. This law has now been made permanent and has been given
to the Governor for his signature. Another
piece of consumer-friendly legislation, initiated by the state’s funeral directors,
has been extended. Insurance companies were paying sales commissions to
employees of funeral homes who attempted to sell pre-need insurance policies to
their consumers. Insurance companies are now no longer allowed to engage
in this practice – at least until June 1, 2007 – when it is hoped this law will
become permanent. AN
IMPORTANT NOTE:
In
New York State, the consumer chooses the services and merchandise for the burial
service and advises the funeral director of the decision made by the family of
the deceased. However, the family cannot make funeral arrangements for the
any of the following: care, moving, preparation, burial or cremation of
the body. Only a licensed and registered funeral director can make these
arrangements. He or she will file the death certificate, have the body transferred
from the home or hospital and coordinate with the representative of the cemetery
or crematory for the services required by the family. They will of course
make whatever preparations are necessary and move the body from the funeral parlor
to the cemetery or crematory. Funeral
Homes in New York State Cremations
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Funeral Homes | Funeral Plans | Funeral
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Survey | Burial Insurance | Funeral
Options | Site map California
| Florida | New
York | Texas | Illinois
| Pennsylvania | Georgia
| Ohio | Michigan
| New Jersey | North
Carolina | Virginia | Massachusetts
| Indiana | 
