To whom are funeral establishment and branch establishment licenses issued?

Funeral establishment and branch establishment licenses are issued to licensed funeral directors because they are the professionals who have completed the necessary education, training, and state requirements to practice funeral directing. This licensing ensures that those in charge of a funeral establishment are qualified to handle the ethical, legal, and operational aspects of providing funeral services.

Licensed funeral directors are responsible for ensuring that all services are conducted in accordance with state laws and regulations, which include overseeing the care of the deceased, managing the embalming process if required, coordinating the logistics of the funeral service, and providing support to grieving families. By requiring that only licensed individuals receive these licenses, it upholds a standard of practice that protects both the public and the integrity of the profession.

While funeral establishment owners may not necessarily be licensed funeral directors themselves, it is the licensed professionals who directly interact with families and perform the duties associated with a funeral service. Apprentices are still in training and have not yet met all the educational and experiential requirements necessary for licensing. Public health officials do play a role in overseeing health regulations related to funeral services, but they do not receive licenses for the operation of funeral establishments.