OH_mortlaws

Page 1

MortSci 2012

Ohio Funeral Law

Disclaimer: While every effort was made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the Funeral Laws and regulations available on the State’s website, the documents are not official, and the state agencies preparing this website and the Compiler are not responsible for any errors or omissions which may occur in these files. Only the current published volumes of the States Laws are considered valid


Ohio Title [47] XLVII OCCUPATIONS – PROFESSIONS Chapter 4717: EMBALMERS, FUNERAL DIRECTORS, CREMATORIES 4717.01 Embalmer, funeral director, crematory definitions. As used in this chapter: (A) “Embalming” means the preservation and disinfection, or attempted preservation and disinfection, of the dead human body by application of chemicals externally, internally, or both. (B) “Funeral business” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity that is engaged in funeral directing for profit or for free from one or more funeral homes licensed under this chapter. (C) “Funeral directing” means the business or profession of directing or supervising funerals for profit, the arrangement or sale of funeral services, the filling out or execution of a funeral service contract, the business or profession of preparing dead human bodies for burial by means other than embalming, the disposition of dead human bodies, the provision or maintenance of a place for the preparation, the care, or disposition of dead human bodies, the use in connection with a business of the term “funeral director,” “undertaker,” “mortician,” or any other term from which can be implied the business of funeral directing, or the holding out to the public that one is a funeral director or a disposer of dead human bodies. (D) “Funeral home” means a fixed place for the care, preparation for burial, or disposition of dead human bodies or the conducting of funerals. Each business location is a funeral home, regardless of common ownership or management. (E) “Embalmer” means a person who engages, in whole or in part, in embalming and who is licensed under this chapter. (F) “Funeral director” means a person who engages, in whole or in part, in funeral directing and who is licensed under this chapter. (G) “Final disposition” has the same meaning as in division (J) of section 3705.01 of the Revised Code. (H) “Supervision” means the operation of all phases of the business of funeral directing or embalming under the specific direction of a licensed funeral director or licensed embalmer. (I) “Direct supervision” means the physical presence of a licensed funeral director or licensed embalmer while the specific functions of the funeral or embalming are being carried out.


(J) “Embalming facility” means a fixed location, separate from the funeral home, that is licensed under this chapter whose only function is the embalming and preparation of dead human bodies. (K) “Crematory facility” means the physical location at which a cremation chamber is located and the cremation process takes place. “Crematory facility” does not include an infectious waste incineration facility for which a license is held under division (B) of section 3734.05 of the Revised Code, or a solid waste incineration facility for which a license is held under division (A) of that section that includes a notation pursuant to division (B)(3) of that section authorizing the facility to also treat infectious wastes, in connection with the incineration of body parts other than dead human bodies that were donated to science for purposes of medical education or research. (L) “Crematory” means the building or portion of a building that houses the holding facility and the cremation chamber. (M) “Cremation” means the technical process of using heat and flame to reduce human or animal remains to bone fragments or ashes or any combination thereof. “Cremation” includes processing and may include the pulverization of bone fragments. (N) “Cremation chamber” means the enclosed space within which cremation takes place. (O) “Cremated remains” means all human or animal remains recovered after the completion of the cremation process, which may include the residue of any foreign matter such as casket material, dental work, or eyeglasses that were cremated with the human or animal remains. (P) “Lapsed license” means a license issued under this chapter that has become invalid because of the failure of the licensee to renew the license within the time limits prescribed under this chapter. (Q) “Operator of a crematory facility” means the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity responsible for the overall operation of a crematory facility. (R) “Processing” means the reduction of identifiable bone fragments to unidentifiable bone fragments through manual or mechanical means after the completion of the cremation process. (S) “Pulverization” means the reduction of identifiable bone fragments to granulated particles by manual or mechanical means after the completion of the cremation process. (T) “Preneed funeral contract” means a written agreement, contract, or series of contracts to sell or otherwise provide any funeral services, funeral goods, or any combination thereof to be used in connection with the funeral or final disposition of a dead human body, where payment for the goods or services is made either outright or on an installment basis, prior to the death of the person purchasing the goods or services or for whom the goods or services are purchased. “Preneed funeral contract” does not include any preneed cemetery merchandise and services contract or any agreement, contract, or series of contracts pertaining to the sale of any burial lot, burial or interment right, entombment right, or columbarium right with respect to which an endowment care fund is established or is exempt from establishment pursuant to section 1721.21 of the Revised Code. For the purposes of division (T) of this section, “funeral goods” includes caskets.


(U) “Purchaser” means the individual who has purchased and financed a preneed funeral contract, and who may or may not be the contract beneficiary. (V) “Contract beneficiary” means the individual for whom funeral goods and funeral services are provided pursuant to a preneed funeral contract. (W) “Seller” means any person that enters into a preneed funeral contract with a purchaser for the provision of funeral goods, funeral services, or both. Effective Date: 08-05-1998; 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.02 [Effective Until 7/1/2011] Board of embalmers and funeral directors. (A) There is hereby created the board of embalmers and funeral directors consisting of seven members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Five members shall be licensed embalmers and practicing funeral directors, each with at least ten consecutive years of experience in this state immediately preceding the date of the person’s appointment; one of these members shall be knowledgeable and experienced in operating a crematory. Two members shall represent the public; at least one of these members shall be at least sixty years of age. (B) Terms of office are for five years, commencing on the first day of July and ending on the last day of June. Each member shall hold office from the date of the member’s appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Before entering upon the duties of the office, each member shall take and file with the secretary of state an oath of office as required by Section 7 of Article XV, Ohio Constitution. (C) The governor may remove a member of the board for neglect of duty, incompetency, or immoral conduct. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall hold office as a member for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member’s term until the member’s successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. (D) Each member of the board shall receive an amount fixed under division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code for each day, not to exceed sixty days per year, employed in the discharge of the member’s duties as a board member, together with any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of those duties. Effective Date: 09-05-2001 This section is set out twice. See also § 4717.02, as amended by 129th General Assembly File No. 10, SB 5, § 1, eff. 7/1/2011. 4717.02 [Effective 7/1/2011] Board of embalmers and funeral directors


(A) There is hereby created the board of embalmers and funeral directors consisting of seven members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Five members shall be licensed embalmers and practicing funeral directors, each with at least ten consecutive years of experience in this state immediately preceding the date of the person’s appointment; one of these members shall be knowledgeable and experienced in operating a crematory. Two members shall represent the public; at least one of these members shall be at least sixty years of age. (B) Terms of office are for five years, commencing on the first day of July and ending on the last day of June. Each member shall hold office from the date of the member’s appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Before entering upon the duties of the office, each member shall take and file with the secretary of state an oath of office as required by Section 7 of Article XV, Ohio Constitution. (C) The governor may remove a member of the board for neglect of duty, incompetency, or immoral conduct. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall hold office as a member for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member’s term until the member’s successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. (D) Each member of the board shall receive an amount fixed under division (A) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code for each day, not to exceed sixty days per year, employed in the discharge of the member’s duties as a board member, together with any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of those duties. Amended by 129th General Assembly File No. 10, SB 5, § 1, eff. 7/1/2011. Effective Date: 09-05-2001 This section is set out twice. See also § 4717.02, effective until 7/1/2011. 4717.03 Organization of board. (A) Members of the board of embalmers and funeral directors shall annually in July, or within thirty days after the senate’s confirmation of the new members appointed in that year, meet and organize by selecting from among its members a president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer. The board may hold other meetings as it determines necessary. A quorum of the board consists of four members, of whom at least three shall be members who are embalmers and funeral directors. The concurrence of at least four members is necessary for the board to take any action. The president and secretary-treasurer shall sign all licenses issued under this chapter and affix the board’s seal to each license. (B) The board may appoint an individual who is not a member of the board to serve as executive director of the board. The executive director serves at the pleasure of the board and shall do all of the following: (1) Serve as the board’s chief administrative officer; (2) Act as custodian of the board’s records;


(3) Execute all of the board’s orders. In executing the board’s orders, the executive director may enter the premises, establishment, office, or place of business of any embalmer, funeral director, or operator of a crematory facility in this state. The executive director may serve and execute any process issued by any court under this chapter. (C) The board may employ clerical or technical staff who are not members of the board and who serve at the pleasure of the board to provide any clerical or technical assistance the board considers necessary. The board may employ necessary inspectors, who shall be licensed embalmers and funeral directors. Any inspector employed by the board may enter the premises, establishment, office, or place of business of any embalmer, funeral director, or operator of a crematory facility in this state, for the purposes of inspecting the facility and premises; the license and registration of embalmers and funeral directors operating in the facility; and the license of the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory. The inspector shall serve and execute any process issued by any court under this chapter, serve and execute any papers or process issued by the board or any officer or member of the board, and perform any other duties delegated by the board. (D) The president of the board shall designate three of its members to serve on the crematory review board, which is hereby created, for such time as the president finds appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Those members of the crematory review board designated by the president to serve and three members designated by the cemetery dispute resolution commission shall designate, by a majority vote, one person who is experienced in the operation of a crematory facility and who is not affiliated with a cemetery or a funeral home to serve on the crematory review board for such time as the crematory review board finds appropriate. Members serving on the crematory review board shall not receive any additional compensation for serving on the board, but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as members of the board. Members of the crematory review board shall designate one from among its members to serve as a chairperson for such time as the board finds appropriate. Costs associated with conducting an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with division (E) of this section shall be paid from funds available to the board of embalmers and funeral directors. (E) Upon receiving written notice from the board of embalmers and funeral directors of any of the following, the crematory review board shall conduct an adjudicatory hearing on the matter in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided in this section or division (C) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code: (1) Notice provided under division (H) of this section of an alleged violation of any provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter governing or in connection with crematory facilities or cremation; (2) Notice provided under division (B) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code that the board of embalmers and funeral directors proposes to refuse to grant or renew, or to suspend or revoke, a license to operate a crematory facility;


(3) Notice provided under division (C) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code that the board of embalmers and funeral directors has issued an order summarily suspending a license to operate a crematory facility; (4) Notice provided under division (B) of section 4717.15 of the Revised Code that the board of embalmers and funeral directors proposes to issue a notice of violation and order requiring payment of a forfeiture for any violation described in divisions (A)(9)(a) to (g) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code alleged in connection with a crematory facility or cremation. Nothing in division (E) of this section precludes the crematory review board from appointing an independent examiner in accordance with section 119.09 of the Revised Code to conduct any adjudication hearing required under division (E) of this section. The crematory review board shall submit a written report of findings and advisory recommendations, and a written transcript of its proceedings, to the board of embalmers and funeral directors. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall serve a copy of the written report of the crematory review board’s findings and advisory recommendations on the party to the adjudication or the party’s attorney, by certified mail, within five days after receiving the report and advisory recommendations. A party may file objections to the written report with the board of embalmers and funeral directors within ten days after receiving the report. No written report is final or appealable until it is issued as a final order by the board of embalmers and funeral directors and entered on the record of the proceedings. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall consider objections filed by the party prior to issuing a final order. After reviewing the findings and advisory recommendations of the crematory review board, the written transcript of the crematory review board’s proceedings, and any objections filed by a party, the board of embalmers and funeral directors shall issue a final order in the matter. Any party may appeal the final order issued by the board of embalmers and funeral directors in a matter described in divisions (E)(1) to (4) of this section in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code, except that the appeal may be made to the court of common pleas in the county in which is located the crematory facility to which the final order pertains, or in the county in which the party resides. (F) On its own initiative or on receiving a written complaint from any person whose identity is made known to the board of embalmers and funeral directors, the board shall investigate the acts or practices of any person holding or claiming to hold a license or registration under this chapter that, if proven to have occurred, would violate this chapter or any rules adopted under it. The board may compel witnesses by subpoena to appear and testify in relation to investigations conducted under this chapter and may require by subpoena duces tecum the production of any book, paper, or document pertaining to an investigation. If a person does not comply with a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, the board may apply to the court of common pleas of any county in this state for an order compelling the person to comply with the subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, or for failure to do so, to be held in contempt of court. (G) If, as a result of its investigation conducted under division (F) of this section, the board of embalmers and funeral directors has reasonable cause to believe that the person investigated is violating any provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter governing or in connection with embalming, funeral directing, funeral homes, embalming facilities, or the operation of funeral homes or embalming facilities, it may, after providing the opportunity for an adjudicatory hearing, issue an order directing the person to cease the acts or practices that constitute the violation. The board shall conduct the adjudicatory hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code except that, notwithstanding the provisions of that chapter, the following shall apply:


(1) The board shall send the notice informing the person of the person’s right to a hearing by certified mail. (2) The person is entitled to a hearing only if the person requests a hearing and if the board receives the request within thirty days after the mailing of the notice described in division (G)(1) of this section. (3) A stenographic record shall be taken, in the manner prescribed in section 119.09 of the Revised Code, at every adjudicatory hearing held under this section, regardless of whether the record may be the basis of an appeal to a court. (H) If, as a result of its investigation conducted under division (F) of this section, the board of embalmers and funeral directors has reasonable cause to believe that the person investigated is violating any provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter governing or in connection with crematory facilities or cremation, the board shall send written notice of the alleged violation to the crematory review board. If, after the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing in the matter conducted under division (E) of this section, the board of embalmers and funeral directors finds that a person is in violation of any provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter governing or in connection with crematory facilities or cremation, the board may issue a final order under that division directing the person to cease the acts or practices that constitute the violation. (I) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may bring a civil action to enjoin any violation or threatened violation of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15 of the Revised Code or a rule adopted under any of those sections; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23 ; division (B)(1) or (2), (C)(1) or (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26 ; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27 ; divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28, or division (D) or (E) of section 4717.31 of the Revised Code. The action shall be brought in the county where the violation occurred or the threatened violation is expected to occur. At the request of the board, the attorney general shall represent the board in any matter arising under this chapter. (J) The board of embalmers and funeral directors and the crematory review board may issue subpoenas for funeral directors and embalmers or persons holding themselves out as such, for operators of crematory facilities or persons holding themselves out as such, or for any other person whose testimony, in the opinion of either board, is necessary. The subpoena shall require the person to appear before the appropriate board or any designated member of either board, upon any hearing conducted under this chapter. The penalty for disobedience to the command of such a subpoena is the same as for refusal to answer such a process issued under authority of the court of common pleas. (K) All moneys received by the board of embalmers and funeral directors from any source shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund created in section 4743.05 of the Revised Code. (L) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall submit a written report to the governor on or before the first Monday of July of each year. This report shall contain a detailed statement of the nature and amount of the board’s receipts and the amount and manner of its expenditures. Effective Date: 09-29-1999; 2008 SB129 07-06-2009


4717.04 Administrative rules. (A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for the government, transaction of the business, and the management of the affairs of the board of embalmers and funeral directors and the crematory review board, and for the administration and enforcement of this chapter. These rules shall include all of the following: (1) The nature, scope, content, and form of the application that must be completed and license examination that must be passed in order to receive an embalmer’s license or a funeral director’s license under section 4717.05 of the Revised Code. The rules shall ensure both of the following: (a) That the embalmer’s license examination tests the applicant’s knowledge through at least a comprehensive section and an Ohio laws section; (b) That the funeral director’s license examination tests the applicant’s knowledge through at least a comprehensive section, an Ohio laws section, and a sanitation section. (2) The minimum license examination score necessary to be licensed under section 4717.05 of the Revised Code as an embalmer or as a funeral director; (3) Procedures for determining the dates of the embalmer’s and funeral director’s license examinations, which shall be administered at least once each year, the time and place of each examination, and the supervision required for each examination; (4) Procedures for determining whether the board shall accept an applicant’s compliance with the licensure, registration, or certification requirements of another state as grounds for granting the applicant a license under this chapter; (5) A determination of whether completion of a nationally recognized embalmer’s or funeral director’s examination sufficiently meets the license requirements for the comprehensive section of either the embalmer’s or the funeral director’s license examination administered under this chapter; (6) Continuing education requirements for licensed embalmers and funeral directors; (7) Requirements for the licensing and operation of funeral homes; (8) Requirements for the licensing and operation of embalming facilities; (9) A schedule that lists, and specifies a forfeiture commensurate with, each of the following types of conduct which, for the purposes of division (A)(9) of this section and section 4717.15 of the Revised Code, are violations of this chapter: (a) Obtaining a license under this chapter by fraud or misrepresentation either in the application or in passing the required examination for the license;


(b) Purposely violating any provision of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15 of the Revised Code or a rule adopted under any of those sections; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23 ; division (B)(1) or (2), (C)(1) or (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26 ; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27 ; or divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28 of the Revised Code; (c) Committing unprofessional conduct; (d) Knowingly permitting an unlicensed person, other than a person serving an apprenticeship, to engage in the profession or business of embalming or funeral directing under the licensee’s supervision; (e) Refusing to promptly submit the custody of a dead human body upon the express order of the person legally entitled to the body; (f) Transferring a license to operate a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility from one owner or operator to another, or from one location to another, without notifying the board; (g) Misleading the public using false or deceptive advertising. Each instance of the commission of any of the types of conduct described in divisions (A)(9)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of this section is a separate violation. The rules adopted under division (A)(9) of this section shall establish the amount of the forfeiture for a violation of each of those divisions. The forfeiture for a first violation shall not exceed five thousand dollars, and the forfeiture for a second or subsequent violation shall not exceed ten thousand dollars. The amount of the forfeiture may differ among the types of violations according to what the board considers the seriousness of each violation. (10) Requirements for the licensing and operation of crematory facilities; (11) Procedures for the issuance of duplicate licenses; (12) Requirements for criminal records checks of applicants under section 4776.03 of the Revised Code. (B) The board may adopt rules governing the educational standards for licensure as an embalmer or funeral director and the standards of service and practice to be followed in embalming and funeral directing and in the operation of funeral homes, embalming facilities, and crematory facilities in this state. (C) Nothing in this chapter authorizes the board of embalmers and funeral directors to regulate cemeteries, except that the board shall license and regulate crematories located at cemeteries in accordance with this chapter. Effective Date: 08-05-1998; 2007 HB104 03-24-2008 4717.05 License qualifications. (A) Any person who desires to be licensed as an embalmer shall apply to the board of embalmers and funeral directors on a form provided by the board. The applicant shall include with the application an initial license fee as set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the board, that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:


(1) The applicant is at least eighteen years of age and of good moral character. (2) If the applicant has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the applicant in this state for aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, or aggravated burglary, or has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the applicant in another jurisdiction for a substantially equivalent offense, at least five years has elapsed since the applicant was released from incarceration, a community control sanction, a post-release control sanction, parole, or treatment in connection with the offense. (3) The applicant holds at least a bachelor’s degree from a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the Ohio board of regents or the comparable legal agency of another state in which the college or university is located and submits an official transcript from that college or university with the application. (4) The applicant has satisfactorily completed at least twelve months of instruction in a prescribed course in mortuary science as approved by the board and has presented to the board a certificate showing successful completion of the course. The course of mortuary science college training may be completed either before or after the completion of the educational standard set forth in division (A)(3) of this section. (5) The applicant has registered with the board prior to beginning an embalmer apprenticeship. (6) The applicant has satisfactorily completed at least one year of apprenticeship under an embalmer licensed in this state and has assisted that person in embalming at least twenty-five dead human bodies. (7) The applicant, upon meeting the educational standards provided for in divisions (A)(3) and (4) of this section and completing the apprenticeship required in division (A)(6) of this section, has completed the examination for an embalmer’s license required by the board. (B) Upon receiving satisfactory evidence verified by oath that the applicant meets all the requirements of division (A) of this section, the board shall issue the applicant an embalmer’s license. (C) Any person who desires to be licensed as a funeral director shall apply to the board on a form provided by the board. The application shall include an initial license fee as set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the board, that the applicant meets all of the following requirements: (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, the applicant has satisfactorily met all the requirements for an embalmer’s license as described in divisions (A)(1) to (4) of this section. (2) The applicant has registered with the board prior to beginning a funeral director apprenticeship.


(3) The applicant, following mortuary science college training described in division (A)(4) of this section, has satisfactorily completed a one-year apprenticeship under a licensed funeral director in this state and has assisted that person in directing at least twenty-five funerals. (4) The applicant has satisfactorily completed the examination for a funeral director’s license as required by the board. (D) In lieu of mortuary science college training required for a funeral director’s license under division (C)(1) of this section, the applicant may substitute a satisfactorily completed two-year apprenticeship under a licensed funeral director in this state assisting that person in directing at least fifty funerals. (E) Upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the applicant meets all the requirements of division (C) of this section, the board shall issue to the applicant a funeral director’s license. (F) As used in this section: (1) “Community control sanction” has the same meaning as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code. (2) “Post-release control sanction” has the same meaning as in section 2967.01 of the Revised Code. Effective Date: 01-01-2004; 09-29-2005 4717.06 Application for licensing funeral home or embalming or crematory facility. (A)(1) Any person who desires to obtain a license to operate a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility shall apply to the board of embalmers and funeral directors on a form provided by the board. The application shall include the initial license fee set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and proof satisfactory to the board that the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility is in compliance with rules adopted by the board under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code, rules adopted by the board of building standards under Chapter 3781. of the Revised Code, and all other federal, state, and local requirements relating to the safety of the premises. (2) If the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility to which the license application pertains is owned by a corporation, the application shall include the name and address of the corporation’s statutory agent appointed under section 1701.07 of the Revised Code or, in the case of a foreign corporation, the corporation’s designated agent appointed under section 1703.041 of the Revised Code. If the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility to which the application pertains is owned by a partnership, the application shall include the name and address of each of the partners. If, at any time after the submission of a license application or issuance of a license, the statutory or designated agent of a corporation owning a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility or the address of the statutory or designated agent changes or, in the case of a partnership, any of the partners of the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility or the address of any of the partners changes, the applicant for or holder of the license to operate the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility shall submit written notice to the board, within thirty days after the change, informing the board of the change and of any name or address of a statutory or designated agent or partner that has changed from that contained in the application for the license or the most recent notice submitted under division (A)(2) of this section.


(B)(1) The board shall issue a license to operate a funeral home only for the address at which the funeral home is operated. The funeral home license and licenses of the embalmers and funeral directors employed by the funeral home shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the funeral home. (2) The funeral home shall have on the premises one of the following: (a) If embalming will take place at the funeral home, an embalming room that is adequately equipped and maintained. The embalming room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner and used only for the embalming, preparation, or holding of dead human bodies. The embalming room shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for those purposes. (b) If embalming will not take place at the funeral home, a holding room that is adequately equipped and maintained. The holding room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner and used only for the preparation, other than embalming, and holding of dead human bodies. The holding room shall contain only the articles and facilities necessary for those purposes. (3) Except as provided in division (B) of section 4717.11 of the Revised Code, a funeral home shall be established and operated only under the name of a holder of a funeral director’s license issued by the board who is actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home, and a funeral home license shall not include directional or geographical references in the name of the funeral home. The holder of the funeral home license shall be a funeral director licensed under this chapter who is actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home. Nothing in division (B)(3) of this section prohibits the holder of a funeral home license from including directional or geographical references in promotional or advertising materials identifying the location of the funeral home. (4) Each funeral home shall be directly supervised by a funeral director licensed under this chapter, who shall supervise only one funeral home. (C)(1) The board shall issue a license to operate an embalming facility only for the address at which the embalming facility is operated. The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the facility. (2) The embalming facility shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner. The embalming room at such a facility shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for its stated purpose. The embalming room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and used only for the care and preparation of dead human bodies. (3) An embalming facility license shall be issued only to an embalmer licensed under division (B) of section 4717.05 of the Revised Code, who is actually in charge of the facility. (D)(1) The board shall issue a license to operate a crematory facility only for the address at which the crematory facility is located and operated. The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the crematory facility. (2) The crematory facility shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. The crematory shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for carrying out the


business of the crematory. The crematory shall contain a separate area for the performance of cremation and pulverization of dead human bodies, human body parts, and animals. If a crematory engages in the cremation of animals, the crematory shall cremate animals in a cremation chamber that also is not used to cremate dead human bodies or human body parts and shall not cremate animals in a cremation chamber used for the cremation of dead human bodies and human body parts. Cremation chambers that are used for the cremation of dead human bodies or human body parts and cremation chambers used for the cremation of animals may be located in the same area. (3) A license to operate a crematory facility shall be issued to a person. This section does not require the individual who is actually in charge of the crematory facility to be an embalmer or funeral director licensed under this chapter. (4) Nothing in this section or rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code precludes the establishment and operation of a crematory facility on or adjacent to the property on which a cemetery, funeral home, or embalming facility is located. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.061 License applicant to comply with RC Chapter 4776. (A) As used in this section, “license” and “applicant for an initial license” have the same meanings as in section 4776.01 of the Revised Code, except that “license” as used in both of those terms refers to the types of authorizations otherwise issued or conferred under this chapter. (B) In addition to any other eligibility requirement set forth in this chapter, each applicant for an initial license shall comply with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall not grant a license to an applicant for an initial license unless the applicant complies with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code and the board, in its discretion, decides that the results of the criminal records check do not make the applicant ineligible for a license issued pursuant to section 4717.05, 4717.06, or 4717.10 of the Revised Code. Effective Date: 2007 HB104 03-24-2008 4717.062 [Repealed]. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.07 Fees. (A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall charge and collect the following fees: (1) For the initial issuance or biennial renewal of an embalmer’s or funeral director’s license, one hundred forty dollars; (2) For the issuance of an embalmer or funeral director registration, twenty-five dollars; (3) For filing an embalmer or funeral director certificate of apprenticeship, ten dollars;


(4) For the application to take the examination for a license to practice as an embalmer or funeral director, or to retake a section of the examination, thirty-five dollars; (5) For the initial issuance of a license to operate a funeral home, two hundred fifty dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate a funeral home, two hundred fifty dollars; (6) For the reinstatement of a lapsed embalmer’s or funeral director’s license, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(1) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement; (7) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate a funeral home, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(5) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement; (8) For the initial issuance of a license to operate an embalming facility, two hundred dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate an embalming facility, two hundred dollars; (9) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate an embalming facility, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(8) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement; (10) For the initial issuance of a license to operate a crematory facility, two hundred dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate a crematory facility, two hundred dollars; (11) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate a crematory facility, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(10) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement; (12) For the issuance of a duplicate of a license issued under this chapter, four dollars. (B) In addition to the fees set forth in division (A) of this section, an applicant shall pay the examination fee assessed by any examining agency the board uses for any section of an examination required under this chapter. (C) Subject to the approval of the controlling board, the board of embalmers and funeral directors may establish fees in excess of the amounts set forth in this section, provided that these fees do not exceed the amounts set forth in this section by more than fifty per cent. Effective Date: 09-29-2003; 2007 HB119 09-29-2007 4717.071 [Repealed]. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.08 Renewals. (A) Every license issued under this chapter expires on the last day of December of each even-numbered year and shall be renewed on or before that date according to the standard license renewal procedure set


forth in Chapter 4745. of the Revised Code. Licenses not renewed by the last day of December of each even-numbered year are lapsed. (B) A holder of a lapsed license to operate a funeral home, license to operate an embalming facility, or license to operate a crematory facility may reinstate the license with the board by paying the lapsed license fee established under section 4717.07 of the Revised Code. (C) A holder of a lapsed embalmer’s or funeral director’s license may reinstate the license with the board by paying the lapsed license fee established under section 4717.07 of the Revised Code, except that if the license is lapsed for more than one hundred eighty days after its expiration date, the holder also shall take and pass the Ohio laws examination for each license as a condition for reinstatement. Effective Date: 09-05-2001 4717.081 to 4717.083 [Repealed]. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.09 Continuing education. (A) Every two years, licensed embalmers and funeral directors shall attend between twelve and thirty hours of educational programs as a condition for renewal of their licenses. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall adopt rules governing the administration and enforcement of the continuing education requirements of this section. The board may contract with a professional organization or association or other third party to assist it in performing functions necessary to administer and enforce the continuing education requirements of this section. A professional organization or association or other third party with whom the board so contracts may charge a reasonable fee for performing these functions to licensees or to the persons who provide continuing education programs. (B) A person holding both an embalmer’s license and a funeral director’s license need meet only the continuing education requirements established by the board for one or the other of those licenses in order to satisfy the requirement of division (A) of this section. (C) The board shall not renew the license of a licensee who fails to meet the continuing education requirements of this section and who has not been granted a waiver or exemption under division (D) or (E) of this section. (D) Any licensee who fails to meet the continuing education requirements of this section because of undue hardship or disability, or who is not actively engaged in the practice of funeral directing or embalming in this state, may apply to the board for a waiver or an exemption. (E) A licensee who has been an embalmer or a funeral director for not less than fifty years and is not actually in charge of an embalming facility or a manager or actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for a funeral home may apply to the board for an exemption. (F) The board shall determine, by rule, the procedures for applying for a waiver or an exemption from continuing education requirements under this section and under what conditions a waiver or an exemption may be granted.


Effective Date: 09-26-2003 4717.10 Reciprocity. The board of embalmers and funeral directors may recognize licenses issued to embalmers and funeral directors by other states, and upon presentation of such licenses, may issue to the holder an embalmer’s or funeral director’s license under this chapter. The board shall charge the same fee as prescribed in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code to issue or renew such an embalmer’s or funeral director’s license. Such licenses shall be renewed annually as provided in section 4717.08 of the Revised Code. The board shall not issue a license to any person under this section unless the applicant proves that the applicant, in the state in which the applicant is licensed, has complied with requirements substantially equal to those established in section 4717.05 of the Revised Code. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.11 Change of location or ownership of facility. (A) A person who is licensed to operate a funeral home shall obtain a new license upon any change in location of the funeral home or any change in ownership of the funeral business that owns the funeral home that results in a majority of the ownership of the funeral business being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the funeral business immediately prior to the change in ownership. The person licensed to operate the funeral home shall surrender the current license to the board within thirty days after any such change occurs. If a funeral home is sold, the new owner shall apply for a license within thirty days after the date of the closing of the purchase of the funeral home. (B) When the funeral director who is licensed to operate a funeral home dies or otherwise ceases to operate the home, the funeral home may continue to operate under that person’s name, provided that the name of the new person licensed to operate the funeral home is added to the license within twenty-four months after the previous license holder dies or otherwise ceases to operate the funeral home. The new licensee shall meet the requirements of section 4717.06 of the Revised Code. (C) A person who is licensed to operate an embalming facility shall obtain a new license upon any change in location of the embalming facility or any change in ownership of the business entity that owns the embalming facility that results in a majority of the ownership of the business entity being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the business entity immediately prior to the change in ownership. The person licensed to operate the facility shall surrender the current license to the board within thirty days after any such change occurs. (D) A person who is licensed to operate a crematory facility shall obtain a new license upon any change in location of the crematory facility or any change in ownership of the business entity operating the facility that results in a majority of the ownership of the business entity being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the business entity immediately prior to the change in ownership. The person licensed to operate the crematory facility shall surrender the current license to the board within thirty days after any such change occurs. Effective Date: 08-05-1998


4717.12 Exemptions. (A) The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this chapter: (1) An officer or employee of the department of health or any board of health, who, in compliance with rules or orders of the department of health or board of health, is preparing the body of a person whose death was caused by a virulent communicable disease; (2) An officer, employee, or licensed physician of a medical college, when any of these are acting on behalf of a medical college; (3) Any person carrying out sections 1713.34 to 1713.39 of the Revised Code, prescribing the conditions under which the bodies of indigent persons are held subject for anatomical study. (B) This chapter does not prevent or interfere with any of the following: (1) The ceremonies, customs, religious rights, or religion of any people, denomination, or sect; (2) Any religious denomination or sect, or any body composed of members of a denomination; (3) Any church or synagogue committee in preparing dead human bodies for burial; (4) The conducting of funerals and the burial of dead human bodies in accordance with the ceremonies or rights described in division (B) of this section without the use, employment, or supervision of a licensed embalmer or funeral director, except when the body is that of a person whose death was caused by a virulent communicable disease, in which case the rules of the department of health or board of health having territorial jurisdiction shall apply. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.13 Prohibited conduct. (A) No person shall do any of the following: (1) Engage in the business or profession of funeral directing unless the person is licensed as a funeral director under this chapter, is certified as an apprentice funeral director in accordance with rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code and is assisting a funeral director licensed under this chapter, or is a student in a college of mortuary sciences approved by the board and is under the direct supervision of a funeral director licensed by the board; (2) Engage in embalming unless the person is licensed as an embalmer under this chapter, is certified as an apprentice embalmer in accordance with rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code and is assisting an embalmer licensed under this chapter, or is a student in a college of mortuary science approved by the board and is under the direct supervision of an embalmer licensed by the board; (3) Advertise or otherwise offer to provide or convey the impression that the person provides funeral directing services unless the person is licensed as a funeral director under this chapter and is employed by


or under contract to a licensed funeral home and performs funeral directing services for that funeral home in a manner consistent with the advertisement, offering, or conveyance; (4) Advertise or otherwise offer to provide or convey the impression that the person provides embalming services unless the person is licensed as an embalmer under this chapter and is employed by or under contract to a licensed funeral home or a licensed embalming facility and performs embalming services for the funeral home or embalming facility in a manner consistent with the advertisement, offering, or conveyance; (5) Operate a funeral home without a license to operate the funeral home issued by the board under this chapter; (6) Practice the business or profession of funeral directing from any place except from a funeral home that a person is licensed to operate under this chapter; (7) Practice embalming from any place except from a funeral home or embalming facility that a person is licensed to operate under this chapter; (8) Operate a crematory or perform cremation without a license to operate the crematory issued under this chapter; (9) Cremate animals in a cremation chamber in which dead human bodies or body parts are cremated or cremate dead human bodies or human body parts in a cremation chamber in which animals are cremated. (B) No funeral director or other person in charge of the final disposition of a dead human body shall fail to do one of the following prior to the interment of the body: (1) Affix to the ankle or wrist of the deceased a tag encased in a durable and long-lasting material that contains the name, date of birth, date of death, and social security number of the deceased; (2) Place in the casket a capsule containing a tag bearing the information described in division (B)(1) of this section; (3) If the body was cremated, place in the vessel containing the cremated remains a tag bearing the information described in division (B)(1) of this section. (C) No person who holds a funeral home license for a funeral home that is closed, or that is owned by a funeral business in which changes in the ownership of the funeral business result in a majority of the ownership of the funeral business being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the funeral business immediately prior to the change in ownership, shall fail to submit to the board within thirty days after the closing or such a change in ownership of the funeral business owning the funeral home, a clearly enumerated account of all of the following from which the licensee, at the time of the closing or change in ownership of the funeral business and in connection with the funeral home, was to receive payment for providing funeral services, funeral goods, or any combination of those in connection with the funeral or final disposition of a dead human body:


(1) Preneed funeral contracts governed by sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code; (2) Life insurance policies or annuities the benefits of which are payable to the provider of funeral or burial goods or services; (3) Accounts at banks or savings banks insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation, savings and loan associations insured by the federal savings and loan insurance corporation or the Ohio deposit guarantee fund, or credit unions insured by the national credit union administration or a credit union share guaranty corporation organized under Chapter 1761. of the Revised Code that are payable upon the death of the person for whose benefit deposits into the accounts were made. Effective Date: 09-29-1999; 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.14 Discplinary actions. (A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may refuse to grant or renew, or may suspend or revoke, any license issued under this chapter for any of the following reasons: (1) The license was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation either in the application or in passing the examination. (2) The applicant or licensee has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty to a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude. (3) The applicant or licensee has purposely violated any provision of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15 or a rule adopted under any of those sections; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23 ; division (B)(1) or (2), (C)(1) or (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26 ; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27 ; or divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28 of the Revised Code; any rule or order of the department of health or a board of health of a health district governing the disposition of dead human bodies; or any other rule or order applicable to the applicant or licensee. (4) The applicant or licensee has committed immoral or unprofessional conduct. (5) The applicant or licensee knowingly permitted an unlicensed person, other than a person serving an apprenticeship, to engage in the profession or business of embalming or funeral directing under the applicant’s or licensee’s supervision. (6) The applicant or licensee has been habitually intoxicated, or is addicted to the use of morphine, cocaine, or other habit-forming or illegal drugs. (7) The applicant or licensee has refused to promptly submit the custody of a dead human body upon the express order of the person legally entitled to the body. (8) The licensee loaned the licensee’s own license, or the applicant or licensee borrowed or used the license of another person, or knowingly aided or abetted the granting of an improper license.


(9) The applicant or licensee transferred a license to operate a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory from one owner or operator to another, or from one location to another, without notifying the board. (10) The applicant or licensee mislead the public by using false or deceptive advertising. (B)(1) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall refuse to grant or renew, or shall suspend or revoke, an embalmer’s, funeral director’s, funeral home, or embalming facility license only in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. (2) The board shall send to the crematory review board written notice that it proposes to refuse to issue or renew, or proposes to suspend or revoke, a license to operate a crematory facility. If, after the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing on the matter conducted under division (E) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code, the board of embalmers and funeral directors finds that any of the circumstances described in divisions (A)(1) to (10) of this section apply to the person named in its proposed action, the board may issue a final order under division (E) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code refusing to issue or renew, or suspending or revoking, the person’s license to operate a crematory facility. (C) If the board of embalmers and funeral directors determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that any of the circumstances described in divisions (A)(1) to (10) of this section apply to the holder of a license issued under this chapter and that the licensee’s continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public, the board may suspend the licensee’s license without a prior adjudicatory hearing. The executive director of the board shall prepare written allegations for consideration by the board. The board, after reviewing the written allegations, may suspend a license without a prior hearing. The board shall issue a written order of suspension by certified mail or in person in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code. Such an order is not subject to suspension by the court during the pendency of any appeal filed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code. If the holder of an embalmer’s, funeral director’s, funeral home, or embalming facility license requests an adjudicatory hearing by the board, the date set for the hearing shall be within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the licensee has requested a hearing, unless the board and the licensee agree to a different time for holding the hearing. Upon issuing a written order of suspension to the holder of a license to operate a crematory facility, the board of embalmers and funeral directors shall send written notice of the issuance of the order to the crematory review board. The crematory review board shall hold an adjudicatory hearing on the order under division (E) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the issuance of the order, unless the crematory review board and the licensee agree to a different time for holding the adjudicatory hearing. Any summary suspension imposed under this division shall remain in effect, unless reversed on appeal, until a final adjudicatory order issued by the board of embalmers and funeral directors pursuant to this division and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, or division (E) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code, as applicable, becomes effective. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall issue its final adjudicatory order within sixty days after the completion of its hearing or, in the case of the summary suspension of a license to operate a crematory facility, within sixty days after completion of the adjudicatory hearing by the crematory review board. A failure to issue the order within that time results in the dissolution of the summary suspension order, but does not invalidate any subsequent final adjudicatory order.


(D) If the board of embalmers and funeral directors suspends or revokes a license held by a funeral director or a funeral home for any reason identified in division (A) of this section, the board may file a complaint with the court of common pleas in the county where the violation occurred requesting appointment of a receiver and the sequestration of the assets of the funeral home that held the suspended or revoked license or the licensed funeral home that employs the funeral director that held the suspended or revoked license. If the court of common pleas is satisfied with the application for a receivership, the court may appoint a receiver. The board or a receiver may employ and procure whatever assistance or advice is necessary in the receivership or liquidation and distribution of the assets of the funeral home, and, for that purpose, may retain officers or employees of the funeral home as needed. All expenses of the receivership or liquidation shall be paid from the assets of the funeral home and shall be a lien on those assets, and that lien shall be a priority to any other lien. (E) Any holder of a license issued under this chapter who has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the individual in this state for aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, or aggravated burglary, or who has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the individual in another jurisdiction for any substantially equivalent criminal offense, is hereby suspended from practice under this chapter by operation of law, and any license issued to the individual under this chapter is hereby suspended by operation of law as of the date of the guilty plea, verdict or finding of guilt, or judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction, regardless of whether the proceedings are brought in this state or another jurisdiction. The board shall notify the suspended individual of the suspension of the individual’s license by the operation of this division by certified mail or in person in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code. If an individual whose license is suspended under this division fails to make a timely request for an adjudicatory hearing, the board shall enter a final order revoking the license. (F) No person whose license has been suspended or revoked under or by the operation of this section shall practice embalming or funeral directing or operate a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility until the board has reinstated the person’s license. Effective Date: 04-07-2003; 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.15 Issuing notice of violation. (A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors, without the necessity for conducting a prior adjudication hearing, may issue a notice of violation to the holder of an embalmer’s, funeral director’s, funeral home, or embalming facility license issued under this chapter who the board finds has committed any of the violations described in divisions (A)(9)(a) to (g) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code. The notice shall set forth the specific violation committed by the licensee and shall be sent by certified mail. The notice shall be accompanied by an order requiring the payment of the appropriate forfeiture prescribed in rules adopted under division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code and by a notice informing the licensee that the licensee is entitled to an adjudicatory hearing on the notice of violation and order if the licensee requests a hearing and if the board receives the request within thirty days after the mailing of the notice of violation and order. The board shall conduct any such adjudicatory hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided in this division. A licensee who receives a notice of violation and order under this division shall pay to the executive director


of the board the full amount of the forfeiture by certified check within thirty days after the notice of violation and order were mailed to the licensee unless, within that time, the licensee submits a request for an adjudicatory hearing on the notice of violation and order. If such a request for an adjudicatory hearing is timely filed, the licensee need not pay the forfeiture to the executive director until after a final, nonappealable administrative or judicial decision is rendered on the order requiring payment of the forfeiture. If a final nonappealable administrative or judicial decision is rendered affirming the board’s order, the licensee shall pay to the executive director of the board the full amount of the forfeiture by certified check within thirty days after notice of the decision was sent to the licensee. A forfeiture is considered to be paid when the licensee’s certified check is received by the executive director in Columbus. If the licensee fails to so pay the full amount of the forfeiture to the executive director within that time, the board shall issue an order suspending or revoking the individual’s license, as the board considers appropriate. (B) The board shall send to the crematory review board written notice that it proposes to issue to the holder of a license to operate a crematory facility issued under this chapter a notice of violation and order requiring payment of a forfeiture specified in rules adopted under division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code. If, after the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing on the matter conducted under division (E) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code, the board of embalmers and funeral directors finds that the licensee has committed any of the violations described in divisions (A)(9)(a) to (g) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code in connection with the operation of a crematory facility or cremation, the board of embalmers and funeral directors may issue a final order under division (E) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code requiring payment of the appropriate forfeiture specified in rules adopted under division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code. A licensee who receives such an order shall pay the full amount of the forfeiture to the executive director by certified check within thirty days after the order was sent to the licensee unless, within that time, the licensee files a notice of appeal in accordance with division (E) of section 4717.03 and section 119.12 of the Revised Code. If such a notice of appeal is timely filed, the licensee need not pay the forfeiture to the executive director until after a final, nonappealable judicial decision is rendered in the appeal. If a final, nonappealable judicial decision is rendered affirming the board’s order, the licensee shall pay to the executive director the full amount of the forfeiture by certified check within thirty days after notice of the decision was sent to the licensee. A forfeiture is considered paid when the licensee’s certified check is received by the executive director in Columbus. If the licensee fails to so pay the full amount of the forfeiture to the executive director within that time, the board shall issue an order suspending or revoking the individual’s license, as the board considers appropriate. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.16 Effect of child support default on license. On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the board of embalmers and funeral directors shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a license issued pursuant to this chapter. Effective Date: 03-22-2001 4717.17 Designating eye or tissue bank - immunity.


A funeral director acting in good faith is not liable in damages for injury resulting from acting or attempting to act in accordance with sections 2108.01 to 2108.29 of the Revised Code regarding an anatomical gift. Effective Date: 12-13-2000; 2008 HB529 04-07-2009 4717.18, 4717.19 [Repealed]. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.20 Cremation definitions. As used in sections 4717.20 to 4717.30 of the Revised Code: (A) “Alternative container” means a receptacle, other than a casket, in which a dead human body or body parts are transported to a crematory facility and placed in the cremation chamber for cremation, and that meets all of the following requirements: (1) Is composed of readily combustible materials that are suitable for cremation; (2) May be closed in order to provide a complete covering for the dead human body or body parts; (3) Is resistant to leakage or spillage; (4) Is sufficiently rigid to be handled readily; (5) Provides protection for the health and safety of crematory personnel. (B) “Authorizing agent” means the person or persons identified in section 4717.21 or 4717.22 of the Revised Code who are entitled to order the cremation of a decedent or body parts and to order the final disposition of the cremated remains of a decedent or body parts. (C) “Body parts” means limbs or other portions of the anatomy that are removed from a living person for medical purposes during biopsy, treatment, or surgery. “Body parts” also includes dead human bodies that have been donated to science for purposes of medical education or research and any parts of such a dead human body that were removed for those purposes. (D) “Burial or burial-transit permit” means a burial permit or burial-transit permit issued under section 3705.17 of the Revised Code or the laws of another state that are substantially similar to that section. (E) “Casket” means a rigid container that is designed for the encasement of a dead human body and that is constructed of wood, metal, or another rigid material, is ornamented and lined with fabric, and may or may not be combustible. (F) “Temporary container” means a receptacle for cremated remains composed of cardboard, plastic, metal, or another material that can be closed in a manner that prevents the leakage or spillage of the cremated remains and the entrance of foreign material, and that is of sufficient size to hold the cremated remains until they are placed in an urn or scattered.


(G) “Urn” means a receptacle designed to encase cremated remains permanently. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.21 Executing antemortem cremation authorization form. (A) Any person, on an antemortem basis, may serve as the person’s own authorizing agent, authorize the person’s own cremation, and specify the arrangements for the final disposition of the person’s own cremated remains by executing an antemortem cremation authorization form. A guardian, custodian, or other personal representative who is authorized by law or contract to do so on behalf of a person, on an antemortem basis, may authorize the cremation of the person and specify the arrangements for the final disposition of the person’s cremated remains by executing an antemortem cremation authorization form on the person’s behalf. Any such antemortem cremation authorization form also shall be signed by one witness. The original copy of the executed authorization form shall be sent to the operator of the crematory facility being authorized to conduct the cremation, and a copy shall be retained by the person who executed the authorization form. The person who executed an antemortem cremation authorization form may revoke the authorization at any time by providing written notice of the revocation to the operator of the crematory facility named in the authorization form. The person who executed the authorization form may transfer the authorization to another crematory facility by providing written notice to the operator of the crematory facility named in the original authorization of the revocation of the authorization and, in accordance with this division, executing a new antemortem cremation authorization form authorizing the operator of another crematory facility to conduct the cremation. (B)(1) Each antemortem cremation authorization form shall specify the final disposition that is to be made of the cremated remains. (2) Every antemortem cremation authorization form entered into on or after the effective date of this amendment shall specify the final disposition that is to be made of the remains and shall include a provision in substantially the following form: NOTICE: Upon the death of the person who is the subject of this antemortem cremation authorization, the person holding the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may cancel the cremation arrangements, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains, or make alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent’s body. However, the person executing this antemortem cremation authorization is encouraged to state his or her preferences as to the manner of final disposition in a declaration of the right of disposition pursuant to section 2108.72 of the Revised Code, including that the arrangements set forth in this form shall be followed. (C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, when the operator of a crematory facility is in possession of a cremation authorization form that has been executed on an antemortem basis in accordance with this section, the other conditions set forth in division (A) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code have been met, the crematory facility has possession of the decedent to which the antemortem authorization pertains, and the crematory facility has received payment for the cremation of the decedent and the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or is otherwise assured of payment for those services, the crematory facility shall cremate the decedent and dispose of the cremated remains in accordance with the instructions contained in the antemortem cremation authorization form.


(2) A person with the right of disposition for a decedent under section 2108.70 of the Revised Code who is not disqualified under section 2108.75 of the Revised Code may cancel the arrangements for the decedent’s cremation, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent’s cremated remains, or make alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent’s body. If a person with the right takes any such action, the operator shall disregard the instructions contained in the cremation authorization form and follow the instructions of the person with the right. (D) An antemortem cremation authorization form executed under division (A) of this section does not constitute a contract for conducting the cremation of the person named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the person’s cremated remains. Despite the existence of such an antemortem cremation authorization, a person identified under division (A) of section 4717.22 of the Revised Code as being entitled to act as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the decedent named in the antemortem authorization, in the descending order of priority in which they are listed, may modify, in writing, the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent set forth in the authorization form or may cancel the cremation and claim the decedent’s body for purposes of making alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent’s body. The revocation of an antemortem cremation authorization form executed under division (A) of this section, or the cancellation of the cremation of the person named in the antemortem authorization or modification of the arrangements for the final disposition of the person’s cremated remains as authorized by this division, does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract entered into for the cremation of the person named in the antemortem authorization or for the final disposition of the person’s cremated remains. (E) Nothing in this section applies to any antemortem cremation authorization form executed prior to the effective date of this section. Any cemetery, funeral home, crematory facility, or other party may specify, with the written approval of the person who executed the antemortem authorization, that such an antemortem authorization is subject to sections 4717.21 to 4717.30 of the Revised Code. Effective Date: 08-05-1998; 10-12-2006 4717.22 Authorizing agents for cremation. (A) The person who has the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may serve as an authorizing agent for the cremation of a dead human body, including, without limitation, a dead human body that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research. (B) If body parts were removed from a living person, the person from whom the body parts were removed or the person who has the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the body parts. (C) If body parts were removed from a decedent whose body was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, the person who has the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the body parts. In the absence of any action by the person with the right of disposition with respect to the cremation of such body parts, the medical education or research facility to which the decedent’s body was donated may serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of such parts. Effective Date: 08-05-1998; 10-12-2006


4717.23 Prohibited acts by operator of facility prior to cremation. (A) No operator of a crematory facility shall cremate or allow the cremation at a crematory facility the operator is licensed to operate under this chapter of a dead human body, other than one that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, until all of the following have occurred: (1) A period of at least twenty-four hours has elapsed since the decedent’s death as indicated on a complete, nonprovisional death certificate filed under section 3705.16 of the Revised Code or under the laws of another state that are substantially equivalent to that section, unless, if the decedent died from a virulent communicable disease, the department of health or board of health having territorial jurisdiction where the death of the decedent occurred requires by rule or order the cremation to occur prior to the end of that period; (2) The operator has received a burial or burial-transit permit that authorizes the cremation of the decedent; (3) The operator has received a completed cremation authorization form executed pursuant to section 4717.21 or 4717.24 of the Revised Code, as applicable, that authorizes the cremation of the decedent. A blank cremation authorization form shall be provided by the operator and shall comply with section 4717.24 of the Revised Code and, if applicable, section 4717.21 of the Revised Code. (4) The operator has received any other documentation required by this state or a political subdivision of this state. (B) No operator of a crematory facility shall cremate or allow the cremation of any body parts, including, without limitation, dead human bodies that were donated to science for purposes of medical research or education, at a crematory facility the operator is licensed to operate in this state until both of the following have occurred: (1) The operator has received a completed cremation authorization form executed pursuant to section 4717.25 of the Revised Code or, if the decedent has executed an antemortem cremation authorization form in accordance with section 4717.21 of the Revised Code and has donated the decedent’s body to science for purposes of medical education or research, such an antemortem cremation authorization form; (2) The operator has received any other documentation required by this state or a political subdivision of this state. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.24 Cremation authorization form. (A) A cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of a dead human body, other than one that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, shall include at least all of the following information and statements: (1) The identity of the decedent;


(2) The name of the funeral director or other individual who obtained the burial or burial-transit permit authorizing the cremation of the decedent; (3) The name of the authorizing agent and the relationship of the authorizing agent to the decedent; (4) A statement that the authorizing agent in fact has the right to authorize cremation of the decedent and that the authorizing agent does not have actual knowledge of the existence of any living person who has a superior priority right to act as the authorizing agent under section 4717.22 of the Revised Code. If the person executing the cremation authorization form knows of another living person who has such a superior priority right, the authorization form shall include a statement indicating that the person executing the authorization form has made reasonable efforts to contact the person having the superior priority right and has been unable to do so and that the person executing the authorization form has no reason to believe that the person having the superior priority right would object to the cremation of the decedent. (5) A statement of whether the authorizing agent has actual knowledge of the presence in the decedent of a pacemaker, defibrillator, or any other mechanical or radioactive device or implant that poses a hazard to the health or safety of personnel performing the cremation; (6) A statement indicating the crematory facility is to cremate the casket or alternative container in which the decedent was delivered to or accepted by the crematory facility; (7) A statement of whether the crematory facility is authorized to simultaneously cremate the decedent in the same cremation chamber with one or more other decedents who were related to the decedent named in the cremation authorization form by consanguinity or affinity or who, at any time during the one-year period preceding the decedent’s death, lived with the decedent in a common law marital relationship or otherwise cohabited with the decedent. A cremation authorization form executed under this section shall not authorize the simultaneous cremation of a decedent in the same cremation chamber with one or more other decedents except under the circumstances described in the immediately preceding sentence. (8) The names of any persons designated by the authorizing agent to be present in the holding facility or cremation room prior to or during the cremation of the decedent or during the removal of the cremated remains from the cremation chamber; (9) The authorization for the crematory facility to cremate the decedent and to process or pulverize the cremated remains as is the practice at the particular crematory facility; (10) A statement of whether it is the crematory facility’s practice to return all of the residue removed from the cremation chamber following the cremation or to separate and remove foreign matter from the residue before returning the cremated remains to the authorizing agent or the person designated on the authorization form to receive the cremated remains pursuant to division (A)(11) of this section; (11) The name of the person who is to receive the cremated remains of the decedent from the crematory facility; (12) The manner in which the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent is to occur, if known. If the cremation authorization form does not specify the manner of the final disposition of the


cremated remains, it shall indicate that the cremated remains will be held by the crematory facility for thirty days after the cremation, unless, prior to the end of that period, they are picked up from the crematory facility by the person designated on the cremation authorization form to receive them, the authorizing agent, or, if applicable, the funeral director who obtained the burial or burial-transit permit for the decedent, or are delivered or shipped by the operator of the crematory facility to one of those persons. The authorization form shall indicate that if no instructions for the final disposition are provided on the authorization form and that if no arrangements for final disposition have been made within the thirty-day period, the crematory facility may return the cremated remains to the authorizing agent. The authorization form shall further indicate that if no arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains have been made within sixty days after the completion of the cremation and if the authorizing agent has not picked them up or caused them to be picked up within that period, the operator may dispose of them in accordance with division (C) of section 4717.27 of the Revised Code. (13) A listing of the items of value to be delivered to the crematory facility along with the dead human body, if any, and instructions regarding how those items are to be handled; (14) A statement of whether the authorizing agent has made arrangements for any type of viewing of the decedent or for a service with the decedent present prior to the cremation and, if so, the date, time, and place of the service; (15) A statement of whether the crematory facility may proceed with the cremation at any time after the conditions set forth in division (A) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code have been met and the decedent has been received at the facility; (16) The certification of the authorizing agent to the effect that all of the information and statements contained in the authorization form are accurate; (17) The signature of a funeral director licensed under this chapter, or another individual, as a witness. If a licensed funeral director signs the authorization form as a witness, the funeral director is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and statements required under divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section, but is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of any of the other information or statements provided on the authorization form by the authorizing agent, unless the funeral director has actual knowledge to the contrary regarding any of the other information or statements. In addition, at the time the decedent is delivered to the crematory facility, the funeral director shall certify that the dead human body delivered to the crematory facility is that of the decedent identified on the authorization form and shall certify that the responsibility imposed on the funeral director by division (B) of section 4717.29 of the Revised Code has been carried out. If an individual other than a licensed funeral director signs the authorization form as a witness, the individual is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information or statements provided on the authorization form, unless the individual has actual knowledge to the contrary regarding any of the information or statements provided by the authorizing agent. (B) An authorizing agent who is not available to execute a cremation authorization form in person may designate another individual to serve as the authorizing agent by providing to the operator of the crematory facility where the cremation is to occur a written designation, acknowledged before a notary public or other person authorized to administer oaths, authorizing that other individual to serve as the authorizing agent, or by sending to the operator a facsimile transmission of the written designation that has


been so acknowledged. Any such written designation shall contain the name of the decedent, the name and address of the authorizing agent, the relationship of the authorizing agent to the decedent, and the name and address of the individual who is being designated to serve as the authorizing agent. Upon receiving such a written designation or a facsimile transmission of such a written designation, the operator shall permit the individual named in the written designation to serve as the authorizing agent and to execute the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent named in the written designation. (C) An authorizing agent who signs a cremation authorization form under this section is hereby deemed to warrant the accuracy of the information and statements contained in the authorization form, including the person’s authority to authorize the cremation. (D) At any time after executing a cremation authorization form and prior to the beginning of the cremation process, the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form under division (A) or (B) of this section may, in writing, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent set forth in the authorization form or may, in writing, revoke the authorization, cancel the cremation, and claim the decedent’s body for purposes of making alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent’s body. The operator of a crematory facility shall cancel the cremation if the operator receives such a revocation before beginning the cremation. (E) A cremation authorization form executed under this section does not constitute a contract for conducting the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent. The revocation of a cremation authorization form or modification of the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent pursuant to division (D) of this section does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract for the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.25 Body or parts donated to science. (A) A cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of any body parts, including, without limitation, dead human bodies that were donated to science for purposes of medical education or research shall include at least all of the following information and statements, as applicable: (1) The identity of the decedent whose body was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research or the identity of the living person or such a decedent from whom the body parts were removed; (2) The name of the authorizing agent and the relationship of the authorizing agent to the decedent or the living person from whom the body parts were removed; (3) A statement that the authorizing agent in fact has the right to authorize the cremation of the decedent or the body parts removed from the decedent or living person and a description of the basis of the person’s right to execute the cremation authorization form; (4) A statement of whether the crematory facility is authorized to simultaneously cremate the decedent or body parts removed from the decedent or living person with one or more other decedents whose bodies


were donated to science for purposes of medical education or research or with body parts removed from one or more other decedents or living persons; (5) The authorization for the crematory facility to cremate the decedent or body parts removed from the decedent or living person and to process or pulverize the cremated remains as is the practice at the particular crematory facility; (6) A statement of whether it is the crematory facility’s practice to return all of the residue removed from the cremation chamber following the cremation or to separate and remove foreign matter from the residue before returning the cremated remains to the authorizing agent or the authorizing agent’s designee; (7) The name of the person who is to receive the cremated remains from the crematory facility; (8) The manner in which the final disposition of the cremated remains is to occur, if known. If the cremation authorization form does not specify the manner of the final disposition of the cremated remains, it shall indicate that the cremated remains will be held by the crematory facility for thirty days after the cremation, unless, prior to the end of that period, they are picked up from the crematory facility by the person designated on the authorization form to receive them or by the authorizing agent, or are delivered or shipped by the operator of the crematory facility to one of those persons. The authorization form shall indicate that if no instructions for the final disposition of the cremated remains are provided on the authorization form and that if no arrangements for final disposition have been made within the thirty-day period, the crematory facility may return the cremated remains to the authorizing agent. The authorization form shall further indicate that if no arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains have been made within sixty days after the cremation and if the authorizing agent or person designated on the authorization form to receive the cremated remains has not picked them up or caused them to be picked up within that period, the operator may dispose of them in accordance with division (C)(1) or (2) of section 4717.27 of the Revised Code. (9) The certification of the authorizing agent to the effect that all of the information and statements contained in the authorization form are accurate. (B) An authorizing agent who signs a cremation authorization form under this section is hereby deemed to warrant the accuracy of the information and statements contained in the authorization form, including the person’s authority to authorize the cremation. (C) At any time after executing a cremation authorization form and prior to the beginning of the cremation process, an authorizing agent who executed a cremation authorization form under this section may, in writing, revoke the authorization, cancel the cremation, and claim the decedent’s body or the body parts for purposes of making alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent’s body or the body parts. The operator of a crematory facility shall cancel the cremation if the operator receives such a revocation before beginning the cremation. (D) A cremation authorization form executed under this section does not constitute a contract for conducting the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form or body parts removed from the decedent or living person named in the form or for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts. The revocation of a cremation authorization form or modification of the


arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or the body parts pursuant to division (C) of this section does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract for the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form, the cremation of body parts from the decedent or living person named in the authorization form, or the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.26 Procedure for cremation. (A) The operator of a crematory facility may schedule the time for the cremation of a dead human body to occur at the operator’s own convenience at any time after the conditions set forth in division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code, as applicable, have been met and the decedent or body parts have been delivered to the facility, unless, in the case of a dead human body, the operator has received specific instructions to the contrary on the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code. The operator of a crematory facility becomes responsible for a dead human body or body parts when the body or body parts have been delivered to or accepted by the facility or an employee or agent of the facility. (B) No operator of a crematory facility shall fail to do either of the following: (1) Upon receipt at the crematory facility of any dead human body that has not been embalmed, and subject to the prohibition set forth in division (C)(1) of this section, place the body in a holding or refrigerated facility at the crematory facility and keep the body in the holding or refrigerated facility until near the time the cremation process commences or until the body is held at the facility for eight hours or longer. If the body is held for eight hours or longer, place the body in a refrigerated facility at the crematory facility and keep the body in the refrigerated facility until near the time the cremation process commences; (2) Upon receipt of any dead human body that has been embalmed, place the body in a holding facility at the crematory facility and keep the body in the holding facility until the cremation process commences. (C) No operator of a crematory facility shall do either of the following, unless the instructions contained in the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code specifically provide otherwise: (1) Remove any dead human body from the casket or alternative container in which the body was delivered to or accepted by the crematory facility; (2) Fail to cremate the casket or alternative container in which the body was delivered or accepted, in its entirety with the body. (D) No operator of a crematory facility shall simultaneously cremate more than one decedent or body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person in the same cremation chamber unless the cremation authorization forms executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code authorizing the cremation of each of the decedents or body parts removed from each decedent or living


person specifically authorize such a simultaneous cremation. This division does not prohibit the use of cremation equipment that contains more than one cremation chamber. (E) No operator of a crematory facility shall permit any persons other than employees of the crematory facility, the authorizing agent for the cremation of the decedent who is to be, is being, or was cremated, persons designated to be present at the cremation of the decedent on the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21 or 4717.24 of the Revised Code, and persons authorized by the individual who is actually in charge of the crematory facility, to be present in the holding facility or cremation room while any dead human bodies or body parts are being held there prior to cremation or are being cremated or while any cremated remains are being removed from the cremation chamber. (F)(1) No operator of a crematory facility shall remove any dental gold, body parts, organs, or other items of value from a dead human body prior to the cremation or from the cremated remains after cremation unless the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent executed under section 4717.21 or 4717.24 of the Revised Code specifically authorizes the removal thereof. (2) No operator of a crematory facility that removes any dental gold, body parts, organs, or other items from a dead human body or assists in such removal shall charge a fee for doing so that exceeds the actual cost to the crematory facility for performing or assisting in the removal. (G) Upon the completion of each cremation, the operator of a crematory facility shall remove from the cremation chamber all of the cremation residue that is practicably recoverable. If the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code specifies that the cremated remains are to be placed in an urn, the operator shall place them in the type of urn specified on the authorization form. If the authorization form does not specify that the cremated remains are to be placed in an urn, the operator shall place them in a temporary container. If not all of the recovered cremated remains will fit in the urn selected or the temporary container, the operator shall place the remainder in a separate temporary container, and the cremated remains placed in the separate temporary container shall be delivered, released, or disposed of along with those in the urn or other temporary container. Nothing in this section requires an operator of a crematory facility to recover any specified quantity or quality of cremated remains upon the completion of a cremation, but only requires an operator to recover from the cremation chamber all of the cremation residue that is practically recoverable. (H) No operator of a crematory facility shall knowingly represent to an authorizing agent or a designee of an authorizing agent that an urn or temporary container contains the recovered cremated remains of a specific decedent or of body parts removed from a specific decedent or living person when it does not. This division does not prohibit the making of such a representation because of the presence in the recovered cremated remains of de minimus amounts of the cremated remains of another decedent or of body parts removed from another decedent or living person that were not practicably recoverable and that remained in the cremation chamber after the cremated remains from previous cremations were removed. (I) No operator of a crematory facility or funeral director shall ship or cause to be shipped any cremated remains by a class or method of mail, common carrier service, or delivery service that does not have an internal system for tracing the location of the cremated remains during shipment and that does not require a signed receipt from the person accepting delivery of the cremated remains.


(J) No operator of a crematory facility shall fail to establish and maintain a system for accurately identifying each dead human body in the facility’s possession, and for identifying each decedent or living person from which body parts in the facility’s possession were removed, throughout all phases of the holding and cremation process. (K) No operator of a crematory facility shall knowingly use or allow the use of the same cremation chamber for the cremation of dead human bodies, or human body parts, and animals. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.27 Disposing of cremated remains. (A) The authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of a decedent under section 4717.24 of the Revised Code or the cremation of body parts under section 4717.25 of the Revised Code is ultimately responsible for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts. (B) If the cremation authorization form does not contain instructions for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts, if no arrangements for the disposition of the cremated remains are made within thirty days after the completion of the cremation, and if the cremated remains have not been picked up within that thirty-day period by the person designated to receive them on the authorization form or, in the absence of such a designated person, by the authorizing agent, the operator of the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the unclaimed cremated remains, at the end of that thirty-day period, may release or deliver them in person to, or cause their delivery by a method described in division (I) of section 4717.26 of the Revised Code that is acceptable under that division to, the person designated to receive them on the cremation authorization form or, if no person has been so designated, to the authorizing agent. (C)(1) If the cremation authorization form does not contain instructions for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts, if no arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains are made within sixty days after the completion of the cremation, and if the cremated remains have not been picked up by the person designated on the authorization form to receive them or, in the absence of such a designated person, by the authorizing agent, the operator of the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the unclaimed cremated remains may dispose of the cremated remains in a grave, crypt, or niche at any time after the end of that sixty-day period. (2) If the cremation authorization form specifies the manner of the final disposition of the cremated remains, or if within sixty days after the completion of the cremation the authorizing agent makes arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains, and if either the arrangements have not been carried out within that sixty-day period because of the inaction of a party other than the operator of the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the unclaimed cremated remains, or the authorizing agent fails to pick up the cremated remains within that sixty-day period, the operator of the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the unclaimed cremated remains may dispose of the cremated remains in a grave, crypt, or niche at any time after the end of that period. (3) If cremated remains of a decedent who was eighteen years or older at the time of death are unclaimed under divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section, the operator of the crematory facility or the funeral home


holding the cremated remains shall, before disposing of the unclaimed cremated remains, notify the secretary of the United States department of veterans affairs of the name of, and other identifying information related to, the decedent. If, within sixty days of the notification, the secretary of the department of veterans affairs notifies the crematory facility or funeral home that the decedent was a veteran who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery under the control of the national cemetery administration and that the secretary agrees to provide for the cost of the transportation and burial of the unclaimed cremated remains in a national cemetery, the crematory facility or funeral home shall follow the directions of the secretary and arrange for the burial of the unclaimed remains in the national cemetery at the secretary’s expense. If the secretary does not assume the right to direct the burial of the unclaimed remains within sixty days of the notification by the crematory facility or funeral home, the crematory facility or funeral home may carry out the disposition of the unclaimed remains under divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section. (4) When cremated remains are disposed of in accordance with division (C)(1) or (2) of this section, the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent or body parts under section 4717.24 or 4717.25 of the Revised Code is liable to the operator of the crematory facility or the funeral home for the cost of the final disposition, which cost shall not exceed the reasonable cost for disposing of the cremated remains in a common grave or crypt in the county where the cremated remains were buried or placed in a crypt or niche. (D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, no person shall do either of the following: (a) Dispose of the cremated remains of a dead human body or body parts in such a manner or in such a location that the cremated remains are commingled with those of another decedent or body parts removed from another decedent or living person; (b) Place the cremated remains of more than one decedent or of body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person in the same urn or temporary container. (2) Division (D)(1) of this section does not prohibit any of the following: (a) The scattering of cremated remains at sea or by air or in a dedicated area at a cemetery used exclusively for the scattering on the ground of the cremated remains of dead human bodies or body parts. (b) The commingling of the cremated remains of more than one decedent or of body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person or the placement in the same urn or temporary container of the cremated remains of more than one decedent or of body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person when each authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of each of the decedents or body parts removed from each of the decedents or living persons under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code authorized the commingling of the cremated remains or the placement of the cremated remains in the same urn or temporary container on the authorization form. (c) The commingling, by the individual designated on the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent or body parts to receive the cremated remains, other than a funeral director or employee of a cemetery, or by the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form, after


receipt of the cremated remains, of the cremated remains with those of another decedent or of body parts removed from another decedent or living person or the placing of them by any such person in the same urn or temporary container with those of another decedent or of body parts removed from another decedent or living person. Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 28, SB 147, ยง 1, eff. 7/2/2010. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.28 Records. (A) No operator of a crematory facility shall fail to ensure that a written receipt is provided to the person who delivers a dead human body or body parts to the facility for cremation. If the dead human body is other than one that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, the receipt shall be signed by both a representative of the crematory facility and the person who delivered the decedent to the crematory facility and shall indicate the name of the decedent; the date and time of delivery; the type of casket or alternative container in which the decedent was delivered to the facility; the name of the person who delivered the decedent to the facility; if applicable, the name of the funeral home or other establishment with whom the delivery person is affiliated; and the name of the person who received the decedent on behalf of the facility. If the dead human body was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, the receipt shall consist of a copy of the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code that authorizes the cremation of the decedent or body parts that has been signed by both a representative of the crematory facility and the person who delivered the decedent or body parts to the crematory facility and that indicates the date and time of the delivery. The operator may provide the copy of the receipt to the person who delivered the decedent or body parts to the facility either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested. (B) No operator of a crematory facility shall fail to ensure at the time of releasing cremated remains that a written receipt signed by both a representative of the crematory facility and the person who received the cremated remains is provided to the person who received the cremated remains. Unless the cremated remains are those of a dead human body that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research or are those of body parts, the receipt shall indicate the name of the decedent; the date and time of the release; the name of the person to whom the cremated remains were released; if applicable, the name of the funeral home, cemetery, or other entity to whom the cremated remains were released; and the name of the person who released the cremated remains on behalf of the crematory facility. If the cremated remains are those of a dead human body that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research or are those of body parts, the receipt shall consist of a copy of the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code that authorizes the cremation of the decedent or body parts that has been signed by both a representative of the crematory facility and the person who received the cremated remains and that indicates the date and time of the release. If the cremated remains were delivered to the authorizing agent or other individual designated on the cremation authorization form by a method described in division (I) of section 4717.26 of the Revised Code that is acceptable under that division, the receipt required by this division shall accompany the cremated remains, and the signature of the authorizing agent or other designated individual on the delivery receipt meets the requirement of this division that the person receiving the cremated remains sign the receipt provided by the crematory facility.


(C) No operator of a crematory facility shall fail to make or keep on file during the time that the operator remains engaged in the business of cremating dead human bodies or body parts, all of the following records and documents: (1) A copy of each receipt issued upon acceptance by or delivery to the crematory facility of a dead human body under division (A) of this section; (2) A record of each cremation conducted at the facility, containing at least the name of the decedent or, in the case of body parts, the name of the decedent or living person from whom the body parts were removed, the date and time of the cremation, and the final disposition made of the cremated remains; (3) A copy of each delivery receipt issued under division (B) of this section; (4) A separate record of the cremated remains of each decedent or the body parts removed from each decedent or living person that were disposed of in accordance with division (C)(1) or (2) of section 4717.27 of the Revised Code, containing at least the name of the decedent, the date and time of the cremation, and the location, date, and manner of final disposition of the cremated remains. (D) All records required to be maintained under sections 4717.21 to 4717.30 of the Revised Code are subject to inspection by the board of embalmers and funeral directors or an authorized representative of the board, upon reasonable notice, at any reasonable time. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.29 Medical device or implant present in decedent's body. (A) A person executing a cremation authorization form as the authorizing agent under section 4717.24 of the Revised Code shall use diligent efforts to determine whether a pacemaker, cardiac defibrillator, or any other mechanical or radioactive device or implant is present in the decedent’s body that poses a hazard to the health or safety of the personnel of the crematory or to the cremation chamber during the cremation process and shall indicate the presence of the device or implant on the cremation authorization form. If the decedent is to be delivered to the crematory facility by a funeral director, the person executing the authorization form shall inform the funeral director of the presence of the device or implant. (B) If a funeral director delivers the decedent to a crematory facility, the funeral director shall take reasonable precautions to ensure necessary actions are taken to remove a device or implant from the decedent, or to render the device or implant nonhazardous prior to delivering the decedent to the crematory facility. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.30 Operator of crematory facility - immunity. (A) The operator of a crematory facility is not liable in damages in a civil action for any of the following actions or omissions, unless the actions or omissions were made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner or unless any of the conditions set forth in divisions (B)(1) to (3) of this section apply:


(1)(a) For having performed the cremation of the decedent, or having released or disposed of the cremated remains, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the cremation authorization form executed by the decedent on an antemortem basis under section 4717.21 of the Revised Code; (b) Having performed the cremation of the decedent or body parts removed from the decedent or living person or having released or disposed of the cremated remains in accordance with the instructions set forth in a cremation authorization form executed in person by the person authorized to serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the decedent or for the cremation of body parts of the decedent or living person, named in the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.24 or 4717.25 of the Revised Code. (2) Having performed the cremation of the decedent, or having released or disposed of the cremated remains, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the cremation authorization form executed by a designated agent under division (B) of section 4717.24 of the Revised Code. (B) The operator of a crematory facility is not liable in damages in a civil action for refusing to accept a dead human body or body parts or to perform a cremation under any of the following circumstances, unless the refusal was made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner: (1) The operator has actual knowledge that there is a dispute regarding the cremation of the decedent or body parts, until such time as the operator receives an order of the court of common pleas having jurisdiction ordering the cremation of the decedent or body parts or until the operator receives from the parties to the dispute a copy of a written agreement resolving the dispute and authorizing the cremation to be performed. (2) The operator has a reasonable basis for questioning the accuracy of any of the information or statements contained in a cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code, as applicable, that authorizes the cremation of the decedent or body parts. (3) The operator has any other lawful reason for refusing to accept the dead human body or body parts or to perform the cremation. (C) The operator of a crematory facility is not liable in damages in a civil action for refusing to release or dispose of the cremated remains of a decedent or body parts when the operator has actual knowledge that there is a dispute regarding the release or final disposition of the cremated remains in connection with any damages sustained, prior to the time the operator receives an order of the court of common pleas having jurisdiction ordering the release or final disposition of the cremated remains, or prior to the time the facility receives from the parties to the dispute a copy of a written agreement resolving the dispute and authorizing the cremation to be performed. (D) The operator of a crematory facility is not liable in damages in a civil action in connection with the cremation of, or disposition of the cremated remains of, any dental gold, jewelry, or other items of value delivered to the facility with a dead human body or body parts, unless either or both of the following apply:


(1) The cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent or body parts executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code, as applicable, contains specific instructions for the removal or recovery and disposition of any such dental gold, jewelry, or other items of value prior to or after the cremation, and the operator has failed to comply with the written instructions. (2) The actions or omissions of the operator were made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner. (E)(1) This section does not create a new cause of action against or substantive legal right against the operator of a crematory facility. (2) This section does not affect any immunities from civil liability or defenses established by another section of the Revised Code or available at common law to which the operator of a crematory may be entitled under circumstances not covered by this section. Effective Date: 08-05-1998 4717.31 Who may sell certain preneed funeral contracts. (A) Only a funeral director licensed pursuant to this chapter may sell a preneed funeral contract that includes funeral services. Sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code do not prohibit a person who is not a licensed funeral director from selling funeral goods pursuant to a preneed funeral contract; however, when a seller sells funeral goods pursuant to a preneed funeral contract, that seller shall comply with those sections unless the seller is specifically exempt from compliance under section 4717.38 of the Revised Code. (B) An insurance agent licensed pursuant to Chapter 3905. of the Revised Code may sell, solicit, or negotiate the sale of an insurance policy or annuity that will be used to fund a preneed funeral contract, but in so doing the insurance agent may not offer advice or make recommendations about funeral services and may not discuss the advantages or disadvantages of any funeral service. In selling, soliciting, or negotiating the sale of an insurance policy or annuity that will be used to fund a preneed funeral contract, the insurance agent may do any of the following: (1) Provide the person purchasing the insurance policy or annuity with price lists from one or more funeral homes and other materials that may assist the person in determining the cost of funeral goods and services; (2) Discuss the cost of funeral goods and services with the person in order to assist the person in selecting the appropriate amount of life insurance or annuity coverage; (3) Complete a worksheet or other record to calculate the estimated cost of a funeral. (C) Activities conducted pursuant to division (B) of this section by an insurance agent licensed pursuant to Chapter 3905. of the Revised Code do not constitute funeral directing, funeral arranging, the business of directing and supervising funerals for profit, or the sale of a preneed funeral contract. (D) No seller shall fail to comply with the requirements and duties specified in this section and sections 4717.32 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code.


(E) No trustee of a preneed funeral contract trust shall fail to comply with sections 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.36, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code. (F) No insurance agent or insurance company that sells or offers life insurance policies or annuities used to fund a preneed funeral contract shall fail to comply with this section and sections 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.35, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code. To the extent this section and sections 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.35, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code apply to insurance companies or insurance agents, those sections constitute laws of this state relating to insurance for purposes of sections 3901.03 and 3901.04 of the Revised Code and the superintendent of insurance shall enforce those sections with respect to insurance companies and insurance agents. The superintendent may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for purposes of administering and enforcing this section and sections 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.35, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code as those sections apply to insurance companies or insurance agents. (G) A preneed funeral contract may be funded by the purchase or assignment of an insurance policy or annuity in accordance with section 3905.45 of the Revised Code. A preneed funeral contract that is funded by the purchase or assignment of an insurance policy or annuity in accordance with section 3905.45 of the Revised Code is not subject to section 4717.36 of the Revised Code. (H) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall administer and enforce the provisions of sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code concerning the requirements for and sale of preneed funeral contracts. The superintendent of insurance shall enforce sections 4717.31, 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.35, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code to the extent those sections apply to insurance companies and insurance agents. Payments from a trust, insurance policy, or annuity, including any fraudulent activities in which a person engages to obtain payments from a trust, insurance policy, or annuity, shall be regulated in accordance with Chapter 1111. or Title XXXIX of the Revised Code, as applicable. (I) Except as provided in division (K) of this section, a seller of a preneed funeral contract that is funded by insurance or otherwise annually shall submit to the board the reports the board requires pursuant to division (J) of this section. (J) Except as provided in division (K) of this section, the board shall adopt rules specifying the procedures and requirements for annual reporting of the sales of all preneed funeral contracts sold by every seller who is subject to sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code. (K) A cemetery company or cemetery association that sells merchandise or services pursuant to a preneed cemetery merchandise and services contract and that also sells funeral goods pursuant to a preneed funeral contract shall be deemed to have met the requirements in divisions (I) and (J) of this section by submitting the annual preneed funeral contract report to the division of real estate of the department of commerce along with or as part of the annual cemetery merchandise and services contract affidavit required under division (F)(1) of section 1721.211 of the Revised Code. Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 9, HB 1, ยง 101.01, eff. 10/16/2009. Effective Date: 2008 SB129 07-06-2009


4717.32 Contents of certain preneed funeral contracts. (A) Any preneed funeral contract that involves the payment of money or the purchase or assignment of an insurance policy or annuity shall be in writing and shall include all of the following information: (1) The name, address, and phone number of the seller and the name and address of the purchaser of the contract, and, if the contract beneficiary is someone other than the purchaser of the contract, the name and address of the contract beneficiary, and if the contract involves the payment of money but not the purchase or assignment of an insurance policy or annuity, the social security number of the purchaser of the contract or if the contract beneficiary is someone other than the purchaser, the social security number of the contract beneficiary; (2) A statement of the funeral goods and funeral services purchased, which disclosure may be made by attaching a copy of the completed statement of funeral goods and services selected to the preneed funeral contract; (3) A disclosure informing the purchaser whether the contract is either a guaranteed preneed funeral contract or a nonguaranteed preneed funeral contract, and, if the contract is guaranteed only in part, a disclosure specifying the funeral goods or funeral services included in the guarantee; (4) If the preneed funeral contract is a guaranteed contract, a disclosure that the seller, in exchange for all of the proceeds of the trust, insurance policy, or annuity, shall provide the funeral goods and funeral services set forth in the preneed funeral contract without regard to the actual cost of such funeral goods and funeral services prevailing at the time of performance and that the seller may receive any excess funds remaining after all expenses for the funeral have been paid. (5) If the preneed funeral contract is a nonguaranteed contract, a disclosure that the proceeds of the trust, insurance policy, or annuity shall be applied to the retail prices in effect at the time of the funeral for the funeral goods and funeral services set forth in the contract, that any excess funds remaining after all expenses for the funeral have been paid shall be paid to the estate of the decedent or the beneficiary named in the life insurance policy if the preneed funeral contract is funded by a life insurance policy, and that, in the event of an insufficiency in funds, the seller shall not be required to perform until payment arrangements satisfactory to the seller have been made. (6) A disclosure that the purchaser has the right to make the contract irrevocable and that if the preneed funeral contract is irrevocable, the purchaser does not have a right to revoke the contract; (7) A disclosure informing the purchaser of the initial right to cancel the preneed funeral contract within seven days as provided in division (A) of section 4717.34 of the Revised Code and the right to revoke a revocable preneed funeral contract in accordance with section 4717.35 or division (E) of section 4717.36 of the Revised Code, as applicable; (8) A disclosure that the seller may substitute funeral goods or funeral services of equal quality, value, and workmanship if those specified in the preneed funeral contract are unavailable at the time of need;


(9) A disclosure that any purchaser of funeral goods and funeral services is entitled to receive price information prior to making that purchase in accordance with the federal trade commission’s funeral industry practices revised rule, 16 C.F.R. part 453;

(10) The following notice in boldface print and in substantially the following form: “NOTICE: Under Ohio law, the person holding the right of disposition of the remains of the individual contract beneficiary pursuant to section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code will have the right to make funeral arrangements inconsistent with the arrangements set forth in this contract. However, the individual contract beneficiary is encouraged to state his or her preferences as to funeral arrangements in a declaration of the right of disposition pursuant to section 2108.72 of the Revised Code, including that the arrangements set forth in this contract shall be followed.” (11) The notice described in division (A) of section 4717.34 of the Revised Code. (B) If a preneed funeral contract is funded by any means other than an insurance policy or policies, or an annuity or annuities, the preneed funeral contract shall include all of the following information in addition to the information required to be included under division (A) of this section: (1) Disclosures identifying the name and address of the trustee of the preneed funeral contract trust established pursuant to section 4717.36 of the Revised Code, indicating whether fees, expenses, or taxes will be deducted from the trust, and a statement of who will be responsible for the taxes owed on the trust earnings; (2) A disclosure explaining the form in which the purchase price must be paid and, if the price is to be paid in installments, a disclosure to the purchaser regarding what constitutes a default under the preneed funeral contract and the consequences of the default; (3) The following notice in boldface print and in substantially the following form: “NOTICE: You, as the purchaser of this contract, will be notified in writing when the trustee of this contract has received a deposit of the funds you paid the seller under this contract. If you do not receive that notice within sixty days after the date you paid the funds to the seller, you should contact the trustee identified in the contract.” (4) A disclosure that a purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is irrevocable and that stipulates a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for the funeral services and goods to be provided under the preneed funeral contract may be charged a transfer fee as specified in division (F) of section 4717.36 of the Revised Code if the purchaser wishes to transfer the contract to another seller. (C) If a preneed funeral contract is funded by the purchase or assignment of one or more insurance policies or annuities, the preneed funeral contract shall include all of the following information in addition to the information required to be included under division (A) of this section:


(1) The name and address of each applicable insurance company and any right the purchaser has regarding canceling or transferring the applicable insurance policies or annuities; (2) A description of the terms of payment for any remaining payments due if the funding is to be paid in installments; (3) A list of actions that constitute default under a preneed funeral contract and the consequences of a default; (4) The following notice in boldface print and in substantially the following form: “NOTICE: You, as the purchaser of this contract, will be notified in writing by the insurance company identified in this contract when the insurance policy or policies, or annuity or annuities, that will fund this contract have been issued. If you do not receive the notice within sixty days after the date you paid the funds to the seller, you should contact the insurance company identified in the contract.� (D) The seller of a preneed funeral contract that is funded by the purchase or assignment of one or more insurance policies or annuities does not need to include in the contract the information described in divisions (C)(2) and (3) of this section if those disclosures are provided in the application for a life insurance policy or annuity or in the life insurance policy or annuity. Effective Date: 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.33 Notice by trustee or insurer to purchaser of contract. (A) If a preneed funeral contract is funded by any means other than an insurance policy or policies, or an annuity or annuities, the trustee of the trust created pursuant to section 4717.36 of the Revised Code shall notify the purchaser of the preneed funeral contract in writing, within fifteen days after the trustee receives any payment to be deposited into the trust, that the trustee has received payment. The notice shall include all of the following information: (1) The amount the trustee received; (2) The name and address of the institution described in division (B) of section 4717.36 of the Revised Code where the trust is being held; (3) The name of the beneficiary of that trust. (B) If a preneed funeral contract is funded by the purchase or assignment of one or more insurance policies or annuities, the insurance company shall notify the purchaser of the preneed funeral contract in writing within sixty days after the insurance company receives an initial premium payment applicable to that preneed funeral contract. The notice shall include all of the following information that is pertinent to that preneed funeral contract: (1) The amount the insurance company received; (2) The name and address of the insurance company;


(3) The name of the insured; (4) The amount of the death benefit; (5) The policy or contract number of the insurance policy, annuity, or contract. (C) For purposes of division (B) of this section, delivery of an insurance policy, certificate, annuity, or contract to the purchaser shall satisfy the notice requirement specified in that division. Effective Date: 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.34 Right of purchaser to rescind contract. (A) Any purchaser, on initially entering into a preneed funeral contract may, within seven days after entering into that contract, rescind the contract and request and receive from the seller of the contract one hundred per cent of all payments made under the contract. Each preneed funeral contract shall contain the following notice in boldface print and in substantially the following form: “NOTICE: Under Ohio law, you, as the purchaser of this contract, may rescind it and receive a refund of all payments you made under the contract. To rescind the contract, you must notify the seller within seven days of signing the contract.� (B) No preneed funeral contract shall contain a provision that restricts the purchaser from making the contract irrevocable. On the purchase by an individual of an irrevocable preneed funeral contract, the funeral director who sold the contract assumes the legal obligation to provide for the funeral of the individual pursuant to the terms of the contract. No money deposited in a trust fund for an irrevocable preneed funeral contract shall be withdrawn to purchase an insurance policy or annuity, except that a trustee may use money in the trust fund to purchase a life insurance policy or annuity as an investment for the trust fund. Effective Date: 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.35 Remission of contract application and premium to insurer. If a preneed funeral contract contains a provision stating that the preneed funeral contract will be funded by the purchase of an insurance policy, the insurance agent who sold the policy that will fund that preneed funeral contract shall remit the application for insurance and the premium paid to the insurance company designated in the preneed funeral contract within the time period specified in division (B)(15) of section 3905.14 of the Revised Code, unless the purchaser rescinds the preneed funeral contract in accordance with division (A) of section 4717.34 of the Revised Code. If the purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is revocable and that is funded by an insurance policy or annuity elects to cancel the preneed funeral contract, the purchaser shall provide a written notice to the seller and the insurance company designated in the contract stating that the purchaser intends to cancel that contract. Fifteen days after the purchaser provides the notice to the seller of the contract and the insurance company, the purchaser may cancel the preneed funeral contract and change the beneficiary of the insurance policy or annuity or reassign the benefits under the policy or annuity. The purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is irrevocable and that is funded by an insurance policy or annuity may transfer the preneed funeral contract to a successor


seller by notifying the original seller of the designation of a successor seller. Within fifteen days after receiving the written notice of the designation of the successor seller from the purchaser, the original seller shall assign the seller’s rights to the proceeds of the policy to the successor seller. The insurance company shall confirm the change of assignment by providing written notice to the policyholder. Effective Date: 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.36 Funeral goods and services payments held in trust. (A) This section applies only to preneed funeral contracts that are funded by any means other than an insurance policy or policies, or an annuity or annuities. One hundred per cent of all payments for funeral goods and funeral services made under a preneed funeral contract shall remain intact and held in trust in accordance with this section for the benefit of the contract beneficiary. No money in a preneed funeral contract trust shall be distributed from the trust except as provided in this section. Within thirty days after the provider of the funeral goods or funeral services receives any payment under a preneed funeral contract, the seller of the preneed funeral contract shall deliver the moneys received for that preneed funeral contract that have not been returned to the purchaser as provided in division (A) of section 4717.34 of the Revised Code to the trustee designated in the preneed funeral contract. (B) The seller shall establish a preneed funeral contract trust at one of the following types of institutions and shall designate that institution as the trustee of the preneed funeral contract trust: (1) A trust company licensed under Chapter 1111. of the Revised Code; (2) A national bank, federal savings bank, or federal savings association that pledges securities in accordance with section 1111.04 of the Revised Code; (3) A credit union authorized to conduct business in this state pursuant to Chapter 1733. of the Revised Code. (C) Moneys deposited in a preneed funeral contract trust fund shall be held and invested in the manner in which trust funds are permitted to be held and invested pursuant to Chapter 1111. of the Revised Code. (D) The seller shall establish a separate preneed funeral contract trust for the moneys paid under each preneed funeral contract, unless the purchaser or purchasers of a preneed funeral contract or contracts authorize the seller to place the moneys paid for that contract or those contracts in a combined preneed funeral contract trust. The trustee of a combined preneed funeral contract trust shall keep exact records of the corpus, income, expenses, and disbursements with regard to each purchaser and contract beneficiary for whom moneys are held in the trust. The terms of a preneed funeral contract trust are governed by this section and the payments from that trust are governed by Chapter 1111. of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided in this section. A trustee of a preneed funeral contract trust may pay taxes and expenses for a preneed funeral contract trust and may charge a fee for managing a preneed funeral contract trust. The fee shall not exceed the amount regularly or usually charged for similar services rendered by the institutions described in division (B) of this section when serving as a trustee. The taxes, expenses, and fees shall be paid only from the accumulated income on that trust.


(E) If the purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is revocable elects to cancel the contract, the purchaser shall provide a written notice to the seller of the contract and the trustee of the preneed funeral contract trust stating that the purchaser intends to cancel the contract. Fifteen days after the purchaser provides that notice to the seller and trustee, the purchaser may cancel the contract. Upon canceling a preneed funeral contract pursuant to this division, one of the following shall occur, as applicable: (1) If the preneed funeral contract does not stipulate a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, the trustee shall give to the purchaser all of the assets of the trust that exist at the time of cancellation, less any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (D) of this section. (2) If the preneed funeral contract does stipulate a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the contract, the purchaser may request and receive from the trustee all of the assets of the trust at the time of cancellation, less a cancellation fee that the original seller may collect from the trustee that is equal to or less than ten per cent of the value of the assets of the trust on the date the trust is cancelled and less any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (D) of this section. If more than one purchaser enters into the contract, all of those purchasers must request cancellation of the contract for it to be effective under this division, and the trustee shall refund to each purchaser only those funds that purchaser has paid under the contract and any income earned on those funds in an amount that is in direct proportion to the amount of funds that purchaser paid relative to the total amount of payments deposited in that trust, less any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (D) of this section, the amount of which are in direct proportion to the amount of funds that purchaser paid relative to the total amount of payments deposited in that trust. (F) The purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is irrevocable may transfer the preneed funeral contract to a successor seller. A purchaser who elects to make such a transfer shall provide a written notice of the designation of a successor seller to the trustee and the original seller. Within fifteen days after receiving the written notice of the new designation from the purchaser, the trustee shall list the successor seller as the seller of the preneed funeral contract and the original seller shall relinquish and transfer all rights under the preneed funeral contract to the successor seller. The trustee shall confirm the transfer by providing written notice of the transfer to the original seller, the successor seller, and the purchaser. If the preneed funeral contract stipulates a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for the funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, the original seller may collect from the trustee a transfer fee from the trust that equals up to ten per cent of the value of the assets of the trust on the date the trust is transferred. If the preneed funeral contract does not stipulate a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, no transfer fee shall be collected by the original seller. (G) If a seller of a preneed funeral contract elects to transfer a preneed funeral contract trust from an institution listed in divisions (B)(1) to (3) of this section to a different institution, the trustee of the original trust shall notify the purchaser of the preneed funeral contract of that transfer in writing within thirty days after the transfer occurred and shall provide the purchaser with the name of and the contact information for the institution where the new trust is maintained. Upon receipt of the trust, the trustee of the transferred trust shall notify the purchaser of the receipt of the trusts in accordance with division (A) of section 4717.33 of the Revised Code.


(H) If a seller receives a notice that the contract beneficiary has died and that funeral goods and funeral services have been provided by a provider other than the seller, except as otherwise specified in this section, the seller shall direct the trustee, within thirty days after receiving that notice, to pay to the contract beneficiary all funds held by the trustee, less any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (D) of this section. In the event the preneed funeral contract stipulates a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services that were to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, the seller may collect from the trustee a cancellation fee not exceeding ten per cent of the value of the assets of the trust on the date the trust is transferred. If the preneed funeral trust does not stipulate a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, no cancellation fees shall be collected by the original seller. (I) A certified copy of the certificate of death or other evidence of death satisfactory to the trustee shall be furnished to the trustee as evidence of death, and the trustee shall promptly pay the accumulated payments and income, if any, according to the preneed funeral contract. Such payment of the accumulated payments and income pursuant to this section and, when applicable, the preneed funeral contract, relieves the trustee of any further liability on the accumulated payments and income. Effective Date: 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.37 Delivery of funeral goods defined. For purposes of sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code, a seller is considered to have delivered funeral goods pursuant to a preneed funeral contract when the seller makes actual delivery of the goods to the contract beneficiary. Effective Date: 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.38 Construction of RC 4717.31 to 4717.38. Sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code shall be construed as a limitation on the manner in which a person is permitted to accept funds in prepayment for funeral services to be performed in the future, or funeral goods to be used in connection with the funeral or final disposition of human remains, to the end that at all times members of the public may have an opportunity to arrange and pay for a funeral for themselves and their families in advance of need while at the same time providing all possible safeguards to ensure that prepaid funds cannot be dissipated, whether intentionally or not, but remain available for payment for funeral goods and funeral services in connection with the funeral or final disposition of dead human bodies. Sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code do not apply to a seller if that seller is an established and legally cognizable church or denomination that is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the “Internal Revenue Code of 1986,� 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 501, as amended, and the preneed funeral contract pertains to a cemetery owned and operated entirely and exclusively by the church or denomination, on the condition that the church or denomination adopts, on a voluntary basis, rules and other measures to safeguard and secure all funds received under any preneed funeral contract. Any money, insurance policies, annuities, or other items delivered in payment of a preneed funeral contract, and any funds held in trust pursuant to section 4717.36 of the Revised Code, are exempt from levy, attachment, or sale to satisfy a judgment or order.


Effective Date: 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 4717.99 Penalty. Whoever violates any provision of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15 ; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23 ; division (B)(1) or (2), (C)(1) or (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26 ; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27 ; or divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, for the first offense. For each subsequent offense such a person shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. Whoever purposely violates division (D) or (E) of section 4717.31 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. If the purpose of a violation of that division is to commit or facilitate the commission of a felony, whoever violates that division is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree. Effective Date: 08-05-1998; 2008 SB129 07-06-2009 Chapter 4717-1 General Provisions 4717-1-01 Definitions. For purposes of agency 4717 of the Administrative Code, the following definitions shall apply in addition to all definitions in section 4717.01 of the Revised Code: (A) “Actually in charge”, as used with regard to a funeral home license, means a licensed funeral director who has decision-making authority over the funeral home, including, but not limited to, hiring employees, disciplining employees, and making managerial decisions regarding daily operations. “Actually in charge”, as used with regard to an embalming facility, means a licensed embalmer who has decision-making authority over the embalming facility, including, but not limited to, hiring employees, disciplining employees, and making managerial decisions regarding daily operations. (B) “Apprenticeship credit time” means the actual hours of credit of apprenticeship properly certified to the board by the master embalmer and/or master funeral director and approved by the board as having been satisfactorily served. (C) “Board” means the board of embalmers and funeral directors. (D) “Business or profession of directing or supervising funerals for profit”, means the preparation of the body for final disposition; obtaining necessary permits; filing death certificates and other necessary forms; recording of vital statistics; preparation of necessary notices; making of funeral arrangements; the selling or soliciting of funeral service; coordinating and directing the ceremony or funeral service; or directing the final ceremony or service at the cemetery, crematory, mausoleum, or any other place for the final disposition of a dead human body. Provided, however, that such directing does not conflict with the administrative or operational authority of the cemetery operator at the cemetery, crematory, mausoleum, or other place for the final disposition of a dead human body, and that the cemetery operator who arranges for the final disposition at the cemetery, crematory or mausoleum has not engaged in the business or profession of directing or supervising funerals for profit.


(E) “Embalmer’s apprentice” means an individual who has successfully registered with the board, and has been certified as an apprentice to the board by a master embalmer. (F) “Fixed place” means a physical structure, having a United States post office street, avenue, or road address. (G) “Full service funeral” includes a viewing or visitation and formal funeral service, transportation of the body to the funeral site and cemetery, and/or burial, entombment or cremation of the remains. (H) “Full time” with regard to apprenticeship credit time means a minimum of hours necessary to complete the requirements set forth in the “Funeral Directors or Embalmers Apprenticeship Task List.” “Full time” with regard to the licensure of funeral directors and embalmers and to the operation of a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility means an average of forty hours a week during any calendar month. (I) “Funeral arranging” or “the process of making funeral arrangements means” the process whereby the funeral director who in good faith meets with the person or persons who arrange for the services or final disposition of a dead human body to determine method of final disposition, the services and total cost, and to provide the person making arrangements with a written statement of price disclosures at the conclusion of arrangements; provided, however, that a cemetery operator who meets with the person or persons to arrange the final disposition or method of final disposition is not “funeral arranging” or performing the “process of making funeral arrangements.” (J) “Funeral director apprentice” means an individual who has successfully registered with the board and has been certified as an apprentice to the board by a master funeral director. (K) “Holding room” means the area in a funeral home, crematory facility, or embalming facility exclusively used for the preparation (other than embalming) and holding of dead human bodies for burial or final disposition. (L) “Hour of educational programs” means a clock hour spent by a licensee in actual attendance at and completion of an approved continuing education activity. (M) “Licensee” means an individual or entity licensed by the board. (N) “Manager” means a full-time person having direct and immediate direction or control of a funeral home. (O) “Master or master embalmer” means an embalmer with at least five years of experience in the state of Ohio, who has, successfully completed a training and/or mentoring program for masters, approved by the board, of at least six hours within the past five years, and who is employed or self-employed full time at any one funeral home or embalming facility, whose principal occupation is that of embalming and who certifies to the board as the supervisor of training of an embalmer’s apprentice.


(P) “Master or master funeral director” means a funeral director with at least five years experience in the state of Ohio who has, successfully completed a training and/or mentoring program for masters, approved by the board, of at least six hours within the past five years, and who is employed or self-employed full time at one funeral home, whose principal occupation is that of funeral directing and who certifies to the board as the supervisor of training of a funeral director’s apprentice. (Q) “Preparation room” or “embalming room” means the area in a funeral home or embalming facility exclusively used for the care and preparation of dead human bodies for burial or final disposition. (R) “President” means the president of the board of embalmers and funeral directors (S) “Record” means any document, either written or in electronic form, relating to the operation of a business of directing or supervising funerals for profit; or the operation of an embalming facility or a crematory facility. (T) “Secretary-treasurer” means the secretary-treasurer of the board. (U) “Trade embalmer” means an embalmer who does embalming for a licensed funeral home by contract or other agreement. (V) “Ultimately responsible” a funeral director shall be deemed ultimately responsible for the funeral home, if the funeral home license is held in the funeral director’s name and the funeral director has signed the funeral home license application. Replaces: 4717-1-01 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.01 Prior Effective Dates: 12/31/71, 3/12/79, 8/1/81, 1/1/84, 1/1/84, 7/1/87, 1/1/88, 1/1/01, 11/10/05, 1-9-07 4717-1-02 Public meetings. (A) Meetings of the board of embalmers and funeral directors, in addition to the meetings requested by division (A) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code, may be held at the call of the president or vicepresident or upon a majority vote of a quorum of the members present at a meeting. (B) Any person desiring to determine the time, place or purpose of any meeting of the board, may do so by accessing the board’s website at www.funeral.ohio.gov or contacting the president or vice-president of the board or personnel employed by the board.


(C) Any person may provide an email address and be placed on an electronic mailing list for advance notification of all meetings of the board or meetings at which any specific type of public business is to be discussed. The requester may request notification be provided by fax or first-class mail. Any person requesting notification by first-class mail shall provide a postage-prepaid self-addressed envelope and pay the cost of copying. (D) Public notice specifying the date, time and place of all meetings of the board shall be posted on the board’s web site at www.funeral.ohio.gov and at its office. Replaces: 4717-1-21 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 11/26/76, 1/1/01, 11-10-05 4717-1-03 Notice of administrative rules hearing. (A) Public notice of the intention of the board of embalmers and funeral directors to consider adopting, amending or rescinding a rule in accordance with divisions (A) to (E) of section 119.03 of the Revised Code shall be published in the register of Ohio (www.registerofohio.state.oh.us) pursuant to division (A) of section 119.03 of the Revised Code. (B) The public notice shall specify the date, time and place of the hearing and shall include: (1) A statement of the intention to consider adopting, amending or rescinding a rule and the purpose or reason therefore; (2) A synopsis of the proposed rule, amendment or rescission or a general statement as to the subject to which it relates. (C) A copy of the public notice shall be provided by the board to any person who requests a copy, provides an electronic mail address, mailing address or fax number, and, if appropriate, pays the cost of copying and mailing. Replaces: 4717-1-20 Effective: 04/10/2011


R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 12/13/66, 1/1/88, 01-01-01 4717-1-04 Legal representation. The right to practice before the board shall be limited to attorneys at law authorized to practice in the state of Ohio. Any member in good standing of the bar of any court of the United States or of the highest court of any state may, upon written or oral motion, be permitted to appear pro hac vice and participate in a particular matter, at the discretion of the board. Any attorney seeking the right to appear pro hac vice must show proof of good standing. Replaces: 4717-1-19 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 09-04-43 4717-1-05 [Rescinded] Duties of the president. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 12/23/71 4717-1-06 [Rescinded] Duties of the secretary-treasurer. Effective: 04/10/2011


R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 5/19/74, 7/1/87, 1/1/01 4717-1-07 [Rescinded] Regulation forms used by the board for embalmers. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.04, R.C. 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/84, 8/25/87 (Emer.), 1/1/88, 1/1/01 4717-1-08 [Rescinded] Regulation forms used by the board for funeral directors. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.04, R.C. 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/84, 7/1/84, 8/25/87 (Emer.), 1/1/88, 1/1/01 4717-1-09 [Rescinded] Fees and charges. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04


Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.04, R.C. 4717.07 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/84, 8/25/87 (Emer.), 1/1/88, 1/1/01 4717-1-10 [Effective 1/1/2012] Rescinded. Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 1/1/01 4717-1-11 [Rescinded] Requirements for reciprocal embalmer's license. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.10 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/01 4717-1-12 [Effective 1/1/2012] Rescinded. Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.04, R.C. 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 1/1/01 4717-1-13 [Rescinded] Requirements for reciprocal funeral director's license. Effective: 04/10/2011


R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.10 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/01 4717-1-14 [Effective 1/1/2012] Rescinded. Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 4/9/79, 1/1/84, 7/1/87, 1/1/01, 11/10/05 4717-1-15 [Rescinded] Examinations. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 8/25/87 (Emer.), 1/1/88, 1/1/01 4717-1-16 [Rescinded] Requirements for funeral home license. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.06


Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 1/1/01 4717-1-18 [Rescinded] General rules for conduct of business. Effective: 05/16/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R,C, 4717.14 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/84, 1/20/86, 1/1/01 4717-1-19 [Rescinded] Legal representation. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.14 Prior Effective Dates: 9/4/43 4717-1-20 [Rescinded] Adoption, amendment, and rescission of rules. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.04 Prior Effective Dates: 12/13/66, 1/1/88, 1/1/01 4717-1-21 [Rescinded] Notice of meetings. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010


Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 11/26/76, 1/1/01 4717-1-23 [Rescinded] Continuing education requirements. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.09 Prior Effective Dates: 8/1/81, 1/1/84, 7/1/87, 1/1/01, 11/10/05 4717-1-25 [Rescinded] Preneed funeral contract annual report. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 1111.19 Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/86, 1/1/90, 1/1/01 4717-1-26 [Rescinded] Meetings of the crematory review board. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.03


Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/01 4717-1-27 [Rescinded] Embalming facilities. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.06 Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/01 4717-1-28 [Rescinded] Crematory facilities. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.06 Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/01 4717-1-29 [Rescinded] Summary suspension. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.14 Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/01 4717-1-30 [Rescinded] Forfeitures. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010


Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.04 Prior Effective Dates: 11/10/05 4717-1-31 [Rescinded] Inspections. Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2010 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: R.C. 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4717.03(C) Prior Effective Dates: 1/9/07 Chapter 4717-2 Powers and Duties 4717-2-01 Meetings of the board. The annual meeting of the board shall be the July meeting or within thirty days after the senate’s confirmation of new members in that year, at which time the board shall organize and select a president, vice-president, and secretary/treasurer. Special meetings of the board may be called by the president with at least five days’ prior notice being given to its members. At special meetings the board may transact such business as it deems necessary. Upon petition of four or more members of the board, the president shall call a special meeting of the board within ten days of the receipt of the petition. Replaces: 4717-1-03 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/84, 12/23/71, 01-01-01


4717-2-02 Committees of the board. The board shall establish such committees as it deems necessary for the transaction of the business of the board. Any recommendation of any committee shall become effective only after it is approved by a majority of the board. The president of the board, during its annual meeting, shall appoint three members of the board to serve on the crematory review board for a term to be determined by the president. Replaces: 4717-1-04 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 12/23/71, 01-01-01 4717-2-03 Duties of the officers. (A) The president of the board shall preside at all meetings of the board in which the president is in attendance, and perform all duties incidental to the position of president. (B) In the absence of the president, the vice-president shall preside over any meetings, and perform all duties of the president. (C) The secretary-treasurer of the board shall supervise the executive director who shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the board and shall be responsible for all records, books, applications and other papers belonging to the board. The executive director shall attend to all correspondence and perform, or cause to be performed, all clerical duties. The secretary-treasurer shall furnish, upon request, all forms incidental to obtaining any embalmer’s or funeral director’s license, and shall issue, or cause to be issued, renewal of licenses unless otherwise ordered by the board. The secretary-treasurer shall collect all revenue as provided by law and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, all revenue with the treasurer of the state. (D) The president and secretary-treasurer shall sign all licenses issued under this chapter and affix the board’s seal to each license. Replaces: 4717-1-05, 4717-1-06


Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 12/23/71, 5/19/74, 7/1/87, 01-01-01 4717-2-04 Crematory Review Board. The crematory review board shall conduct an organizational meeting at least annually at which time the crematory review board shall appoint a chairperson and one additional person who is experienced in the operation of a crematory facility and who is not affiliated with a cemetery or a funeral home to serve on the crematory review board for such time as the crematory review board finds appropriate. The crematory review board shall conduct an adjudicatory hearing as needed, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code upon receiving written notice from the board pursuant to division (E) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code. Replaces: 4717-1-26 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.03 Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/01, 11-10-05 4717-2-05 Personal information system. (A) For the purpose of this rule and in accordance with Chapter 1347. of the Revised Code: (1) “Personal information� means any information that describes anything about a person, or that indicates actions done by or to a person, or that indicates that a person possesses certain personal characteristics, and that contains, and can be retrieved from a system by, a name, identifying number, symbol, or other identifier assigned to a person. Personal information shall not include, in accordance with division (A)(1)(e) of section 1347.04 of the Revised Code, personal information systems that are comprised of investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes by the board.


(2) “System” means any collection or group of related records that are kept in an organized manner and that are maintained by a state or local agency, and from which personal information is retrieved by the name of the person or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifier assigned to the person. “System” includes both records that are manually stored and records that are stored using electronic data processing equipment. “System” does not include published directories, reference materials or newsletters, or routine information that is maintained for the purpose of internal office administration, the use of which would not adversely affect a person. (3) “Maintains” means board ownership of, control over, responsibility for, or accountability for systems and includes, but is not limited to, the board depositing of information with a data processing center for storage, processing, or dissemination. The board “maintains” all systems of records that are required by law to be kept by the agency. (B) The personal information system of the board shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 1347. of the Revised Code. (C) The board shall collect, maintain, and use only personal information that is necessary and relevant to the functions that the board is required or authorized to perform by statute or rule. Personal information shall be eliminated from the system when it is no longer necessary and relevant to those functions in accordance with the board record retention policy established pursuant to section 149.34 of the Revised Code. (D) The board shall identify a privacy officer to be directly responsible for the personal information system of the board. The privacy officer shall develop procedures for purposes of monitoring the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness of the personal information in the system, and, in accordance with the procedures, maintain the personal information in the system with the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness that is necessary to assure fairness in any determination made with respect to a person on the basis of the information. (E) The board shall take reasonable precautions to protect personal information in the system from unauthorized modification, destruction, use, or disclosure. (F) The board shall specify disciplinary measures to be applied to any employee who initiates or otherwise contributes to any disciplinary or other punitive action against any individual who brings to the attention of appropriate authorities, the press, or any member of the public, evidence of unauthorized use of information contained in the system. (G) The board shall provide for the right of persons who are the subject of personal information to be informed about the personal information of which the person is the subject and to permit the person or the person’s legal representative to inspect the personal information of which the person is the subject, in accordance with section 1347.08 of the Revised Code, including: If any person disputes the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of personal information that pertains to the person and that is maintained by the board in a personal information system, that person


may request the board to investigate the current status of the information. The board shall comply with section 1347.09 of the Revised Code when the board receives such a request. (H) The board shall not place personal information into an interconnected and combined system, unless the system contributes to the efficiency of the board or agencies using the system or organizations authorized to use the system in implementing programs which are required or authorized by law. (I) The board shall not use personal information placed into an interconnected and combined system by another state or local agency or organization, unless the personal information is necessary and relevant to the performance of a lawful function of the board. Replaces: 4717-1-03 Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-3 Fees and Charges 4717-3-01 Fees and charges. (A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall charge and collect the following fees: (1) For the initial issuance or biennial renewal of an embalmer’s or funeral director’s license, one hundred forty dollars; (2) For the issuance of an embalmer or funeral director registration, twenty-five dollars (3) For filing an embalmer or funeral director certificate of apprenticeship, ten dollars, which fee shall accompany the appropriate application; (4) For the application to take the examination, administered by the board, for a license to practice as an embalmer or funeral director, or to retake a section of the examination, administered by the board, thirtyfive dollars; (5) For the initial issuance of a license to operate a funeral home, two hundred fifty dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate a funeral home, two hundred fifty dollars; (6) For the reinstatement of a lapsed embalmer’s or funeral director’s license, the renewal fee prescribed in paragraph (A)(1) of this rule plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement (7) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate a funeral home, the renewal fee prescribed in paragraph (A)(5) of this rule plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement; (8) For the initial issuance of a license to operate an embalming facility, two hundred dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate an embalming facility, two hundred dollars;


(9) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate an embalming facility, the renewal fee prescribed in paragraph (A)(8) of this rule plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement; (10) For the initial issuance of a license to operate a crematory facility, two hundred dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate a crematory facility, two hundred dollars; (11) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate a crematory facility, the renewal fee prescribed in paragraph (A)(10) of this rule plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement; (12) For the issuance of a duplicate of a license issued under this chapter, four dollars. (B) In addition to the fees set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule, an applicant shall pay the examination fee assessed by any examining agency the board uses for any section of an examination required under this chapter. Replaces: 4717-1-09 Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-4 Licenses 4717-4-01 Requirements for embalmer's license. (A) Registration (1) The applicant for an embalmer’s registration shall apply to the board on a form provided by the board for registration, together with the applicable fee prior to the commencement of an apprenticeship. (2) The applicant shall provide an official college transcript, showing that the applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the Ohio board of regents or comparable agency of another state in which the college or university is located, and an official college of mortuary science transcript, showing that the applicant has completed at least twelve months of instruction in a prescribed course of instruction approved by the board. (3) The applicant for registration shall provide and bear the cost of a criminal records check in accordance with section 4776.01 of the Revised Code at the time of the requested registration. The applicant shall establish that the individual has not been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction for any offense set forth in section 4717.05 of the Revised Code, or that at least five years has elapsed since the applicant was released from incarceration, a community control sanction, a post-release control sanction, parole, or treatment in connection with such offense. (a) An applicant requesting a criminal records check shall provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant’s name and address and with the name and address of the board.


(b) The applicant shall ask the superintendent of the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation in the request to obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant. (c) The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation. (4) Upon approval of the application for registration, the board shall issue an embalmer’s certificate of registration. (B) Apprenticeship (1) Upon issuance of a certificate of registration, the applicant shall submit a certificate of apprenticeship, along with the applicable fee, certifying the commencement of the embalmer’s apprenticeship credit time. The embalmer’s certificate of apprenticeship shall bear the signature and certification of both the apprentice and the master embalmer and shall be filed with the board no later than ten days after the beginning of any embalmer’s apprenticeship credit time. (2) Upon approval of a certificate of apprenticeship, the board shall issue an apprenticeship card, carrying the beginning date of the embalmer’s apprenticeship credit time. This card shall be carried by the embalmer apprentice at all times while engaged as an embalmer apprentice. (3) The applicant shall satisfactorily complete not less than twelve months of apprenticeship under the direction of an embalmer and which apprenticeship must be certified to the board according to its requirements. The apprenticeship shall be completed in no more than eighteen months from the date the apprenticeship commenced, unless the master embalmer and apprentice comply with paragraph (C)(2) of this rule. During the embalmer apprenticeship, the applicant must personally assist in the arterial embalming of at least twenty-five dead human bodies under the direct supervision of the master embalmer, and must complete the tasks listed on the “Embalmer Task List.” If the board finds that the apprentice did not adequately complete one or more tasks on the “Embalmer Task List” or did not receive the necessary training during his or her apprenticeship, the board may set our redial steps for the apprentice to undertake in order to complete his or her apprenticeship. (4) During the time of embalmer’s apprenticeship, the apprentice shall file with the board progress case reports quarterly upon forms supplied by the board. Failure to comply shall be grounds for voidance or suspension of apprenticeship credit time by the board. (5) The apprentice shall report to any board member within thirty days after the first six months of apprenticeship credit time for a personal interview, and shall report to any board member annually thereafter during any period of apprenticeship. (6) During the period of embalmer’s apprenticeship, the master embalmer under whom the apprentice embalmer is certified shall file with the board quarterly master embalmer’s reports on the apprentice’s activities, including fulfillment of the tasks listed on the “Embalmer Task List.” (C) Termination of embalmer’s apprenticeship


(1) Upon completion of the full apprenticeship credit time, the applicant shall submit the following: (a) The embalmer’s termination of apprenticeship form bearing the signature and certification of both the apprentice and master embalmer to the dates of apprenticeship credit time. This termination of apprenticeship shall be filed with the board no later than thirty days after the completion of any period of apprenticeship; (b) The certificate of registration; (c) The apprenticeship card. (2) In the event the apprenticeship is interrupted prior to the completion of the apprenticeship, the master embalmer and apprentice embalmer shall immediately notify the board of the interruption, and submit the embalmer’s termination of apprenticeship form, and the embalmer’s apprenticeship card. (3) Failure to submit the embalmer’s termination of apprenticeship form upon interruption of an apprenticeship prior to the completion of such apprenticeship shall be grounds for voidance by the board of the apprentice credit time. (D) Examinations (1) Upon approval of the termination of apprenticeship and completion of the full apprenticeship credit time, the applicant for an embalmer’s license shall provide proof of earning a seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of a nationally-recognized comprehensive examination and sit for the Ohio laws and rules examination. (2) Upon earning a passing score of seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of a nationallyrecognized comprehensive examination and the Ohio laws and rules examination, the applicant shall submit to the board an application for embalmer’s license, along with the applicable fee. (E) Initial license At the board meeting following receipt of the completed application for embalmer’s license and the applicable fee, the board may grant an embalmer’s license. Replaces: 4717-1-10 Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 01/01/2017 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04


Rule Amplifies: 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 1/1/01, 11-10-05 4717-4-02 Requirements for reciprocal embalmer's license. (A) The applicant shall personally appear before the board for an interview and based upon the results of this interview may be permitted to take such an examination as the board requires for a reciprocal license. Prior to the interview the applicant shall furnish the board: (1) A completed application for a reciprocal embalmer’s license; (2) Two character references; (3) Evidence of compliance with requirements for licensure which are substantially equal to those found in Chapter 4717. of the Revised Code, including, but not limited to: (a) Unless the applicant has been licensed for at least ten years in another state to perform embalming, an official college transcript, showing that the applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the Ohio board of regents or comparable agency of another state in which the college or university is located; (b) Transcript from an approved college of mortuary science showing that the applicant completed a twelve-month period of instruction; (c) Evidence of completion of an embalmer’s apprenticeship (d) Verification of current licensure in another state. (B) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule, an applicant for registration shall provide and bear the cost of a criminal records check in accordance with section 4776.01 of the Revised Code at the time of the requested registration. The applicant shall establish that the individual has not been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction for any violation set forth in section 4717.05 of the Revised Code, or that at least five years has elapsed since the applicant was released from incarceration, a community control sanction, a post-release control sanction, parole, or treatment in connection with such offense. (1) An applicant requesting a criminal records check shall provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant’s name and address and with the name and address of the board. (2) The applicant shall ask the superintendent of the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation in the request to obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant. (3) The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation.


(C) The applicant for a reciprocal embalmer’s license shall provide proof of earning a seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of a nationally-recognized comprehensive examination and sit for the Ohio laws and rules examination. (D) Upon earning a passing score of seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of a nationallyrecognized comprehensive examination and the Ohio laws and rules examination, the applicant shall submit to the board an application for embalmer’s license, along with the applicable fee. Replaces: 4717-1-11 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.10 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/01, 11-10-05 4717-4-03 [Effective 1/1/2012] Requirements for funeral director's license in combination with an embalmer's license. (A) Registration (1) The applicant for a funeral director’s registration shall apply to the board on a form provided by the board for registration, together with the applicable fee prior to the commencement of an apprenticeship. (2) The applicant shall provide an official college transcript, showing that the applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the Ohio board of regents or comparable agency of another state in which the college or university is located, and an official college of mortuary science transcript, showing that the applicant has completed at least twelve months of instruction in a prescribed course of instruction approved by the board. (3) The applicant for registration shall provide and bear the cost of a criminal records check in accordance with section 4776.01 of the Revised Code at the time of the requested registration. The applicant shall establish that the individual has not been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction for any offense set forth in section 4717.05 of the Revised Code, or that at least five years has elapsed since the applicant was released from incarceration, a community control sanction, a post-release control sanction, parole, or treatment in connection with such offense. (a) An applicant requesting a criminal records check shall provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant’s name and address and with the name and address of the board.


(b) The applicant shall ask the superintendent of the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation in the request to obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant. (c) The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation. (4) Upon approval of the application for registration, the board shall issue a certificate of funeral director’s registration. (B) Apprenticeship (1) Upon issuance of a certificate of registration, the applicant shall submit a certificate of apprenticeship, along with the applicable fee, certifying the commencement of the funeral director’s apprenticeship credit time. The funeral director’s certificate of apprenticeship shall bear the signature and certification of both the apprentice and the master funeral directors and shall be filed with the board no later than ten days after the beginning of any funeral director’s apprenticeship credit time. (2) Upon approval of a certificate of apprenticeship, the board shall issue an apprenticeship card, carrying the beginning date of the funeral director’s apprenticeship credit time. This card shall be carried by the funeral director’s apprentice at all times while engaged as a funeral director apprentice. (3) The applicant shall satisfactorily complete not less than twelve months of apprenticeship under the direction of a master funeral director and which apprenticeship must be certified to the board according to its requirements. The apprenticeship shall be completed in no more than eighteen months from the date the apprenticeship commenced unless the master funeral director and apprentice comply with paragraph (C)(2) of this rule. During the funeral director’s apprenticeship the applicant must personally assist in at least twenty-five funerals under the direct supervision of the master funeral director, and must complete the tasks listed on the “Funeral Director Task List.” If the board finds that an apprentice did not adequately complete one or more tasks on the “Funeral Director Task List” or the “Embalmer Task List” or did not receive the necessary training during his or her apprenticeship, the board may set out remedial steps for the apprentice to undertake in order to complete his or her apprenticeship. (4) During the time of funeral director’s apprenticeship, the apprentice shall file with the board progress case reports quarterly upon forms supplied by the board. Failure to comply shall be grounds for voidance or suspension of apprenticeship credit time by the board. (5) The apprentice shall report to any board member within thirty days after the first six months of apprenticeship credit time for a personal interview. (6) During the period of funeral director’s apprenticeship, the master funeral director under whom the apprentice funeral director is certified shall file with the board quarterly master funeral director reports on the apprentice’s activities, including fulfillment of the tasks listed on the “Funeral Director Task List.” (C) Termination of funeral director’s apprenticeship


(1) Upon completion of the full apprenticeship credit time, the applicant shall submit the following: (a) The funeral director’s termination of apprenticeship form bearing the signature and certification of both the apprentice and master funeral director to the dates of apprenticeship credit time. This termination of apprenticeship shall be filed with the board no later than thirty days after the completion of any period of apprenticeship; (b) The certificate of registration; (c) The apprenticeship card. (2) In the event the apprenticeship is interrupted prior to the completion of the apprenticeship, the master funeral director and apprentice funeral director shall immediately notify the board of the interruption, and submit the funeral director’s termination of apprenticeship form, and the funeral director’s apprenticeship card. (3) Failure to submit the embalmer’s termination of apprenticeship form upon interruption of an apprenticeship prior to the completion of such apprenticeship shall be grounds for voidance by the board of the apprentice credit time. (D) Examinations (1) Upon approval of the termination of apprenticeship and successful completion of the full apprenticeship credit time, the applicant for an funeral director’s license shall provide proof of earning a seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of a nationally-recognized comprehensive examination and sit for the Ohio laws and rules examination. (2) Upon earning a passing score of seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of a nationallyrecognized comprehensive examination and the Ohio laws and rules examination, the applicant shall submit to the board an application for funeral director’s license, along with the applicable fee. (E) Initial license At the board meeting following receipt of the completed application for funeral director’s license, and the applicable fee, the board may grant a funeral director’s license. Replaces: 4717-1-12 Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 01/01/2017 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04


Rule Amplifies: 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 1/1/01, 11-10-05 4717-4-04 [Effective 1/1/2012] Requirements for funeral director's license without an embalmer's license. (A) Registration (1) The applicant for a funeral director’s registration shall apply to the board on a form provided by the board for registration, together with the applicable fee prior to the commencement of an apprenticeship. (2) The applicant shall provide an official college transcript, showing that the applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the Ohio board of regents or comparable agency of another state in which the college or university is located. (3) The applicant for registration shall provide and bear the cost of a criminal records check in accordance with section 4776.01 of the Revised Code at the time of the requested registration. The applicant shall establish that the individual has not been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction for any offense set forth in section 4717.05 of the Revised Code, or that at least five years has elapsed since the applicant was released from incarceration, a community control sanction, a post-release control sanction, parole, or treatment in connection with such offense. (a) An applicant requesting a criminal records check shall provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant’s name and address and with the name and address of the board. (b) The applicant shall ask the superintendent of the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation in the request to obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant. (c) The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation. (4) Upon approval of the application for registration, the board shall issue a certificate of funeral director’s registration. (B) Apprenticeship (1) Upon issuance of a certificate of registration, the applicant shall submit a certificate of apprenticeship, along with the applicable fee, certifying the commencement of the funeral director’s apprenticeship credit time. The funeral director’s certificate of apprenticeship shall bear the signature and certification of both the apprentice and the master funeral director’s and shall be filed with the board no later than ten days after the beginning of any funeral director’s apprenticeship credit time. (2) Upon approval of a certificate of apprenticeship, the board shall issue an apprenticeship card, carrying the beginning date of the funeral director’s apprenticeship credit time. This card shall be carried by the funeral director’s apprentice at all times while engaged as a funeral director apprentice.


(3) The applicant shall satisfactorily complete not less than twenty-four months of apprenticeship under the direction of a master funeral director and which apprenticeship must be certified to the board according to its requirements. The apprenticeship shall be completed in no more than forty-eight months from the date the apprenticeship commenced, unless the master funeral director and apprentice comply with paragraph (C)(2) of this rule. During the funeral director’s apprenticeship the applicant must personally assist in at least fifty funerals under the direct supervision of the master funeral director, and must complete the tasks listed on the “Funeral Director Task List.” If the board finds that an apprentice did not adequately complete one or more tasks on the “Funeral Director Task List” or did not receive the necessary training during his or her apprenticeship, the board may set out remedial steps for the apprentice to undertake to complete his or her apprenticeship. (4) During the time of funeral director’s apprenticeship, the apprentice shall file with the board progress case reports quarterly upon forms supplied by the board. Failure to comply shall be grounds for voidance or suspension of apprenticeship credit time by the board. (5) The apprentice shall report to any board member within thirty days after the first six months of apprenticeship credit time for a personal interview, and shall report to any board member annually thereafter during any period of apprenticeship. (6) During the period of funeral director’s apprenticeship, the master funeral director under whom the apprentice funeral director is certified shall file with the board quarterly master funeral director reports on the apprentice’s activities, including fulfillment of the tasks listed on the “Funeral Director Task List.” (C) Termination of funeral director’s apprenticeship (1) Upon completion of the full apprenticeship credit time, the applicant shall submit the following: (a) The funeral director’s termination of apprenticeship form bearing the signature and certification of both the apprentice and master funeral director to the dates of apprenticeship credit time. This termination of apprenticeship shall be filed with the board no later than thirty days after the completion of any period of apprenticeship; (b) The certificate of registration; (c) The apprenticeship card. (2) In the event the apprenticeship is interrupted prior to the completion of the apprenticeship, the master funeral director and apprentice funeral director shall immediately notify the board of the interruption, and submit the funeral director’s termination of apprenticeship form, and the funeral director’s apprenticeship card. (3) Failure to submit the embalmer’s termination of apprenticeship form upon interruption of an apprenticeship prior to the completion of such apprenticeship shall be grounds for voidance by the board of the apprentice credit time.


(D) Examinations (1) Upon approval of the termination of apprenticeship and successful completion of the full apprenticeship credit time, the applicant for a funeral director’s license shall sit for a comprehensive examination and the Ohio laws and rules examination. (2) Upon earning a passing score of seventy-five per cent or higher on all sections of a comprehensive examination and the Ohio laws and rules examination; the applicant shall submit to the board an application for funeral director’s license, along with the applicable fee. (E) Initial license At the board meeting following receipt of the completed application for funeral director’s license, and the applicable fee, the board may grant a funeral director’s license. Replaces: 4717-1-12 Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 01/01/2017 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 11-10-05 4717-4-05 Requirements for reciprocal funeral director's license. (A) The applicant shall personally appear before the board for an interview and based upon the results of this interview may be permitted to take such an examination as the board requires for a reciprocal license. Prior to the interview the applicant shall furnish the board: (1) A completed application for a reciprocal funeral director’s license; (2) Two character references; (3) Evidence of compliance with requirements for licensure which are substantially equal to those found in Chapter 4717. of the Revised Code, including, but not limited to: (a) Unless the applicant has been licensed for at least ten years in another state to conduct the business or profession of directing or supervising funerals, an official college transcript, showing that the applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the Ohio board of regents or comparable agency of another state in which the college or university is located;


(b) Evidence of completion of a funeral director’s apprenticeship or equivalent work experience; (c) Verification of current licensure in another state. (B) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule, an applicant for registration must submit and bear the cost of a criminal records check in accordance with section 4776.01 of the Revised Code at the time of the requested application. The applicant shall establish that the individual has not been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction for any offense set forth in section 4717.05 of the Revised Code, or that at least five years has elapsed since the applicant was released from incarceration, a community control sanction, a post-release control sanction, parole, or treatment in connection with such offense. (1) An applicant requesting a criminal records check shall provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant’s name and address and with the name and address of the board. (2) The applicant shall ask the superintendent of the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation in the request to obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant. (3) The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation. (C) The applicant for a reciprocal funeral director’s license shall provide proof of earning a seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of a nationally-recognized comprehensive examination and sit for the Ohio laws and rules examination. (D) Upon earning a passing score of seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of a nationallyrecognized comprehensive examination and the Ohio laws and rules examination, the applicant shall submit to the board an application for funeral director’s license, along with the applicable fee. Replaces: 4717-1-13 Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-5 Masters and Apprentices 4717-5-01 [Effective 1/1/2012] Apprenticeship requirements. (A) Embalmer apprenticeship (1) The objective of an apprenticeship is to provide the practical educational opportunity to teach the apprentice all aspects of the embalmer profession in a supervised setting. The master embalmer shall ensure that apprentice training encompasses all facets of embalming services, including but not limited to: (a) Making removals; (b) Embalming and restorative art;


(c) Familiarity and compliance with all necessary government documents and/or forms; (d) Business administration; (e) Sanitation; (f) Facility maintenance; (g) Familiarity with local religious organizations and customs; (h) Accomplishing all tasks prescribed by the board in the “Embalmer Task List” in effect at the time the apprenticeship is certified. (B) Funeral director apprenticeship (1) The objective of an apprenticeship is to provide the practical educational opportunity to teach the apprentice all aspects of the funeral director profession in a supervised setting. The master funeral director shall ensure that apprentice training encompasses all facets of funeral directing services, including but not limited to: (a) Conducting funeral services; (b) Making removals; (c) Meeting with families to make at-need and pre-need arrangements; (d) Embalming and restorative art; (e) Familiarity and compliance with all necessary government documents and/or forms; (f) Business administration; (g) Sanitation; (h) Facility maintenance; (i) Familiarity with local religious organizations and customs; (j) Accomplishing all tasks prescribed by the board in the “Funeral Director Task List” in effect at the time the apprenticeship is certified. (C) Embalmer and funeral director apprenticeship may be served concurrently. (D) Embalmer and funeral director apprenticeship shall be served within the state of Ohio. Replaces: 4717-1-14


Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 01/01/2017 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 4/9/79, 1/1/84, 7/1/07, 1/1/01, 01-09-07 4717-5-02 [Effective 1/1/2012] Master embalmer and master funeral director requirements. A master embalmer and a master funeral director with five years of experience in the state of Ohio must successfully complete training approved by the board. The master training must be a one-day six-hour class, not to be offered in segments on separate dates. The training must be classroom and/or teleconference setting with interaction between instructors and participants, not correspondence. The training may be through webinars or other electronic means that allow interaction between the instructors and participants. The board will not approve training that is correspondence or online courses. The course shall be open to all licensees. The training must consist of the following topics: (A) Federal trade commission; (B) Liturgical and non-liturgical and veterans administration; (C) Occupational health and safety administration (OSHA); (D) Preneed laws and rules, not sales; (E) Vital statistics laws and rules; (F) Cremation law and rule; (G) Chapter 4717. of the Revised Code; (H) Role and duties of master. Replaces: 4717-1-14 Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 01/01/2017 Promulgated Under: 119.03


Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 4/9/79, 1/1/84, 7/1/87, 1/1/01, 01-09-07 4717-5-03 [Effective 1/1/2012] Apprenticeship. (A) A master embalmer or master funeral director shall certify to the board only one apprenticeship at one time for each license, except under extenuating circumstance and with prior written permission from the board. (B) A master embalmer or master funeral director shall arrange for the apprentice to receive training from any other master embalmers or funeral directors in the state of Ohio in those areas where the primary master embalmer or funeral director does not have sufficient business to satisfy the requirements of the “Embalmer and/or Funeral Director Task List.” However, no apprentice may serve more than one-third of his/her time working under a master embalmer or master funeral director who is not the master certifying the apprenticeship. (C) A master embalmer or funeral director may certify an apprentice only if he or she is employed or selfemployed at the licensed funeral home where the apprentice certified the apprenticeship full time as defined in board rules, and which funeral home and/or embalming facility has filed not less than thirty deaths in the previous year, except if granted prior written permission by the board. (D) The apprentice and the master embalmer or master funeral director shall make the required certification to the board of the termination of any apprenticeship within ten days after any period of apprenticeship is completed. Any master embalmer and master funeral director who refuse to certify the termination of any apprenticeship without showing just cause to the board shall not be permitted to certify another apprentice to the board and may be charged with unprofessional conduct. (E) In case of the death or disability of the master embalmer or master funeral director, the board may accept in lieu of the master’s certification of apprenticeship one or more affidavits from other funeral directors or reputable citizen having knowledge of the apprenticeship. Such affidavit(s) shall include the dates of the apprenticeship, the relationship of the affiant to the applicant, and the circumstances which give the affiant knowledge of the apprenticeship, its nature, extent, the services provided, and the tasks accomplished. (F) Any apprentice who cannot serve any portion of time during an apprenticeship due to disability leave, maternity leave or any other approved leave, shall terminate the apprenticeship during such leave and shall so notify the board in writing within ten days after the termination. The apprentice shall re-certify the apprenticeship upon completion of the leave period by submitting the appropriate forms to the board. If an apprenticeship record is inactive for five years, it shall be destroyed according to the board’s record retention schedule. If the board determines that an apprentice has violated this provision, the board may terminate the apprenticeship and deny credit for the time period served by the apprentice.


(G) The master’s sound professional judgment should determine the progression of the apprentice’s responsibility and degree of autonomy afforded to the apprentice based on the mastery of each skill during the term of the apprenticeship. The “Embalmers and/or Funeral Directors Task List” is designed to guide that judgment and measure the progress of an apprentice. Direct supervision, as defined in division (I) of section 4717.01 of the Revised Code, is required for at least the first ten arterial adult embalming cases performed and reported over the course of a minimum of two calendar quarters in which the apprentice embalmer assists and the first twenty-five funeral services in which the apprentice funeral director assists and reports over the course of two calendar quarters of apprenticeship or, in the case of an apprentice who did not complete mortuary science college, the course of six calendar quarters of apprenticeship. Supervision, as defined in division (H) of section 4717.01 of the Revised Code is required for all acts of the apprentice. (H) A funeral director apprentice who has, in the sound professional judgment of the master funeral director, attained sufficient skill and experience during the apprenticeship, including but not limited to, assisting under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director with twenty-five funerals and who has successfully completed nine months of an apprenticeship or, in the case of an apprentice who did not complete mortuary science college, completed eighteen months of an apprenticeship, may meet independently with families that have been advised prior to the meeting of the apprentice’s status, to prepare at-need and preneed funeral arrangements using a worksheet to determine and define the family’s desires. The worksheet shall be given to the master or other licensed funeral director associated with the same funeral home as the master who will use it to prepare a funeral purchase contract conforming to the federal trade commission part 453 – funeral industry practices revised rule. The apprentice is not permitted to sign a funeral purchase record or contract. The apprentice is not permitted to sign an insurance contract unless the apprentice is a licensed insurance agent. An apprentice who is a licensed insurance agent must advise the board of this fact and provide his/her insurance license number at registration. (I) In no case shall an apprentice spend more than twenty per cent of any apprenticeship assisting in preneed solicitation or arrangements. (J) Upon completion of the apprenticeship, an individual may continue to serve in the same capacity as an apprentice under the direct supervision of a funeral director or embalmer for no more than ninety days to allow the apprentice to sit for the required examination, or until the apprentice receives his or her grade from the examination, whichever occurs first. Replaces: 4717-1-14 Effective: 01/01/2012 Chapter 4717-6 Examinations 4717-6-01 Embalmer's examination and subjects.


(A) The examination for an applicant for an embalmer’s license shall consist of two distinct sections to be designated as a nationally recognized examination for funeral service licensure, and the Ohio laws section. (B) The Ohio laws section shall be taken from the following sources: (1) Ohio laws governing embalming and funeral directing; (2) Ohio laws governing transportation of dead human bodies; (3) Ohio health laws, rules and regulations governing preparation and transportation of dead human bodies; (4) Ohio laws governing sales tax as related to funeral directing; (5) Ohio laws governing funds provided by the bureau of workers’ compensation for final disposition of dead human bodies when the cause of death is work-related; (6) Federal laws governing burial of veterans; (7) Ohio laws governing funeral processions; (8) Ohio laws, rules and regulations governing pre-need funeral contracts; (9) Federal trade commission funeral rules; (10) Occupational, safety, and health administration (OSHA) regulations; (11) Environmental protection agency (EPA) regulations. (C) A grade of seventy-five per cent or higher on each section of the examination shall be considered a passing grade. (D) Qualifications for re-examination. Any applicant who has failed an embalmers’ examination shall be qualified to retake the examination after any waiting period determined by the examining agency and payment of the applicable fee(s). Replaces: 4717-1-15 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04


Rule Amplifies: 4717.05 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 8/25/87 (Emer), 1/1/88, 1/1/01, 11-10-05 4717-6-02 Funeral directors' examination and subjects. (A) The examination for an applicant for a funeral director’s license shall consist of two distinct sections designated as a nationally recognized examination for funeral service licensure, and the Ohio laws section. An applicant who has not completed mortuary science college shall take a comprehensive funeral service arts examination. (B) The Ohio laws section for the examination shall be taken from the following sources: (1) Ohio laws governing embalming and funeral directing; (2) Ohio laws governing transportation of dead human bodies; (3) Ohio health laws, rules and regulations governing preparation and transportation of dead human bodies; (4) Ohio laws governing sales tax as related to funeral directing; (5) Ohio laws governing funds provided by the bureau of workers’ compensation for final disposition of dead human bodies when the cause of death is work-related; (6) Federal laws governing burial of veterans; (7) Ohio laws governing funeral processions; (8) Ohio laws, rules and regulations governing pre-need funeral contracts; (9) Federal trade commission funeral rules; (10) Occupational, Safety, and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations; (11) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. (C) A grade of seventy-five percent or higher on each of the sections shall be considered a passing grade. (D) Qualifications for re-examination Any applicant who has failed an embalmers’ examination will be qualified to retake the examination after a waiting period determined by the examining agency and payment of the applicable fee(s). Replaces: 4717-1-15


Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-7 Requirements for Licenses 4717-7-01 Fixed place or location and general requirements for licensure of funeral homes and embalming facilities. (A) The business and practice of funeral directing and embalming shall be conducted from a fixed place or location which is licensed by the board. (B) Each funeral service, shipping service, direct disposition service, or any service which prepares dead human bodies for final disposition, must be licensed as a funeral home. Nothing herein contained shall be construed or interpreted to prohibit the practice of funeral directing by more than one licensed funeral firm from the same funeral home. Funeral directors leasing space in a duly licensed funeral home, but doing funeral service as a separate business, are engaged in operation of a separate and distinct funeral home and therefore are required to obtain a separate funeral home license. (C) No license to operate a funeral service, shipping service, or direct disposition service shall be issued by the board unless the funeral home has a manager, full time therein, a person licensed as a funeral director in Ohio. (D) Mortuary science schools and trade embalmers shall be exempt from the funeral home licensing law and the embalming facility law when doing embalming by contract for a duly licensed funeral home. Replaces: 4717-1-16 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.06 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 01-01-01 4717-7-02 Requirements for funeral home licensure. (A) At least sixty days prior to the opening for business of any funeral home, thereof, the funeral director, who will be actually in charge thereof, shall notify the board of such anticipated opening and shall submit an application for funeral home license sworn by the applicant and accompanied by the applicable fee. (B) The board shall approve the application for funeral home license, if appropriate, contingent upon the receipt of an occupancy permit and inspection. (C) A license shall not be issued to a funeral home until the following management requirements are met:


(1) A funeral director manager and a funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home is identified; (2) A funeral director manager is employed by the establishment on a full-time basis; (3) The holder of a funeral home license shall submit to the board written notification, within ten days of any termination of a manager or the funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home. Except in extenuating circumstances, and with approval of the board, no funeral home is to operate without a full-time manager or a funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home for more than third days after the written notification is filed with the board, however, a change of manager does not require a new license. The holder of the funeral home license shall submit an amendment naming a new manager or funeral director actually in charge within thirty days of filing the written notification with the board. Any funeral home that fails to comply with this rule shall cease operations. (4) A funeral director, who acts as manager of a funeral home, shall not manage more than one such home except by special permission granted by the board for a limited time by reason of emergency conditions. (5) The manager’s name shall appear at the main ingress door to the funeral home in letters not less than one inch high and be identified as manager if manager’s name is other than name of the funeral home. (D) A license shall not be issued to a funeral home until the funeral home meets the following requirements: (1) Every funeral home shall possess and keep in good working condition on the premises such equipment and paraphernalia as the board deems adequate for the conduct of business and the protection of the public health. All portions of a funeral home which are accessible to or used by the general public shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (2) If embalming will take place at the funeral home, the funeral home shall maintain on the premises a preparation or embalming room which shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner for the preservation and care of dead human bodies. Such rooms shall contain only the articles, facilities and instruments necessary for the preparation of dead human bodies for burial or final disposition and shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Such rooms shall be used only for the care and preparation of dead human bodies. The minimal requirements for the preparation or embalming room shall be as follows: (a) Sanitary floor; (b) All instruments and appliances used in the embalming of a dead human body shall be thoroughly cleansed and sterilized using an appropriate disinfectant immediately at the conclusion of each individual case; (c) Running hot and cold water with a sink for personal hygiene;


(d) Exhaust fan and intake vent, permanently installed and operable with the capacity to change the air in the room at least fifteen times each hour; (e) Sanitary plumbing connected with sewer, cesspool, septic tank, or other department of health approved system; (f) Porcelain, stainless steel; metal-lined or fiberglass operating table; (g) All opening windows and outside doors shall be adequately screened and shielded from outside viewing; (h) All hydro-aspirators or electric aspirators shall be equipped with at least one air breaker; (i) Containers for refuse, trash and soiled linens shall be adequately covered or sealed at all times; (j) First-aid kit and eyewash; (k) The embalming or preparation room shall be strictly private. A “private� sign shall be posted on the door(s) entering the preparation room. No one shall be allowed therein while the body is being embalmed except the embalmers, funeral directors, apprentices, officials in discharge of their duties, and other authorized persons; (l) All waste materials, refuse, used bandages and cotton shall be destroyed in accordance with all applicable OSHA and EPA regulations; (m) Every person, while engaged in actually embalming a dead human body, shall be attired in a clean and sanitary smock or gown covering the person from the neck to below the knees, shall wear impervious rubber gloves, and shall wear any and all items required under any applicable OSHA regulations; (n) All bodies in the preparation room shall be treated with proper care and dignity and shall be properly covered at all times; (o) Ingress and egress of the preparation room shall be situated so that functions in the funeral home will not impede or interfere with entering or exiting said room; and (p) Sufficient emergency lighting. (3) If embalming will not take place at the funeral home, the funeral home shall maintain on the premises a holding room which shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner for the holding of dead human bodies. Such holding room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner and used only for the holding and storage of dead human bodies. The minimal requirements for the holding room shall be as follows: (a) Sanitary floor; (b) Running hot and cold water with a sink for personal hygiene;


(c) All opening windows and outside doors shall be adequately screened and shielded from outside viewing; (d) Containers for refuse, trash and soiled linens shall be adequately covered or sealed at all times; (e) The holding room shall be strictly private. A “private” sign shall be posted on the door(s) entering the holding room. No one shall be allowed therein while the body is being held except the embalmers, funeral directors, apprentices, officials in discharge of their duties, and other authorized persons; (f) All bodies in the holding room shall be treated with proper care and dignity and shall be properly covered at all times; (g) Ingress and egress of the holding room shall be situated so that functions in the funeral home will not impede or interfere with entering or exiting said room; and (h) If the holding room is equipped with a hydro-aspirator or electric aspirator, the aspirator shall be equipped with at least one air breaker. (E) Upon approval of the application for a funeral home license involving a facility that has not previously been utilized as a licensed funeral home, the funeral director shall submit to the board an occupancy permit certifying that the facility is in conformance with all applicable building codes. (F) Upon receipt of the occupancy permit and prior to the opening of the funeral home, the board, any member thereof, or its duly authorized inspector shall inspect such funeral home. (G) The funeral home license shall be effective upon the completion of the inspection and approval by the inspector. (H) No funeral director actually in charge shall operate or participate in the operation of any such funeral home, unless the board first grants its approval for such operation or participation, and which shall be based upon the results or findings of the inspection. (I) License display (1) The individual funeral director’s license of each licensee employed at a funeral home shall be conspicuously displayed at the funeral home in such a manner that it may be seen by the general public. In instances of multiple operations, the license shall be displayed at the principal site of employment. (2) The individual embalmer’s license of each licensee employed at a funeral home shall be conspicuously displayed in a public place in that home or in the preparation room. (J) Any holder of any license shall notify the board in writing, within fifteen days of any change of address of licensee.


(K) The board shall have the right to examine the funeral home location for which a funeral home license application has been filed. (L) When a request for a license is rejected, the board shall notify the applicant of his right to a hearing. The applicant shall request a hearing within thirty days of the time of mailing the notice. When the applicant requests a hearing, the board shall immediately set a date, time, and place for a hearing and shall notify the applicant. The date shall be within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the applicant requested the hearing, unless otherwise agreed to by both parties. Replaces: 4717-1-16 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.06 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 01-01-01 4717-7-03 Sale or disposition of existing funeral home. (A) When any funeral home is closed, the board shall be notified, in writing, within ten days, by the funeral director actually in charge and ultimately responsible, whose signature shall be notarized. (B) Upon the sale of a licensed funeral home that results in a majority change in ownership, the person licensed to operate the funeral home shall surrender to the board the funeral home license of the funeral home within thirty days of the closing, sale, or other disposition of the funeral home, along with a clearly enumerated account of the following: (1) All preneed funeral contracts held by the funeral home; (2) All life insurance policies held or payable to the funeral home upon the death of a person; and (3) All accounts payable to the funeral home upon the death of a person. (C) The purchaser or new owner of the funeral home shall submit to the board a fully completed application for funeral home license, within thirty days after the purchase of the funeral home. (D) When an individual or individuals in whose name the funeral home was licensed to operated, dies or otherwise ceases to be actually in charge of or ultimately responsible for the funeral home, the funeral home may continue to operate under the person or person’s name, or any combination of the current licensed name, provided that the name of the new funeral director actually in charge of an ultimately responsible for the funeral home is added to the licensed name within twenty-four months.


Replaces: 4717-1-16 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.11 Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/74, 3/12/79, 1/1/84, 1/1/86, 7/1/87, 01-01-01 4717-7-04 Crematory facilities. Requirements for crematory facility license: (A) Any person desiring to operate a crematory facility shall apply to the board on a form provided by the board, include the appropriate license fee, and establish that: (1) The facility is at a fixed place or location; (2) The facility is adequately equipped and maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. The crematory shall contain only the articles and instruments necessary for carrying out the business of the crematory. The crematory shall contain separate areas for the performance of cremation and pulverization of dead human bodies and human body parts, and animals. The minimal requirements for the crematory facility shall be as follows: (a) The crematory facility shall be in compliance with all applicable local and state building codes, zoning laws, and ordinances, environmental laws and OSHA requirements; (b) The crematory shall have, on site, a motorized mechanical device for processing cremated remains and must have, in the building or adjacent to it, a holding facility for the retention of dead human bodies or human body parts awaiting cremation. The holding facility must be secure from access by anyone except the authorized personnel of the crematory, preserve the dignity of the remains, and protect the health and safety of the crematory personnel. The crematory facility shall also maintain sufficient pollution control equipment to comply with the department of environmental regulation requirements in order to secure annual approved certification. Replaces: 4717-1-28 Effective: 04/10/2011 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016


Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.06 Prior Effective Dates: 01-01-01 4717-7-05 Embalming facilities. Requirements for embalming facility license: (A) Any person desiring to operate an embalming facility shall apply to the board on a form provided by the board, include the appropriate license fee, and establish that: (1) The facility is at a fixed place or location; (2) The embalming facility is adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner. The embalming room at the facility shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for its stated purpose. The embalming room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and used only for the care and preparation of dead human bodies. The minimal requirements for the embalming room shall be as follows: (a) Sanitary floor; (b) All instruments and appliances used in the embalming of a dead human body shall be thoroughly cleansed and sterilized using an appropriate disinfectant immediately at the conclusion of each individual case; (c) Running hot and cold water with a sink for personal hygiene; (d) Exhaust fan and intake vent, permanently installed and operable with the capacity to change the air in the room at least fifteen times each hour; (e) Sanitary plumbing connected with sewer, cesspool, septic tank, or other department of health approved system; (f) Porcelain, stainless steel, metal-lined or fiberglass operating table; (f) All opening windows and outside doors shall be adequately screened and shielded from outside viewing; (h) All hydro-aspirators or electric aspirators shall be equipped with at least one air breaker; (i) Containers for refuse, trash and soiled linens shall be adequately covered or sealed at all times; (j) First-aid kit and eyewash;


(k) The embalming or preparation room shall be strictly private. A “private� sign shall be posted on the door(s) entering the preparation room. No one shall be allowed therein while the body is being embalmed except the embalmers, funeral directors, apprentices and other authorized persons and officials in discharge of their duties; (l) All waste materials, refuse, used bandages and cotton shall be destroyed in accordance with all applicable OSHA and EPA regulations; (m) Every person, while engaged in actually embalming a dead human body, shall be attired in a clean and sanitary smock or gown covering the person from the neck to below the knees and shall, while so engaged, wear impervious rubber gloves; (n) All bodies in the preparation room shall be treated with proper care and dignity and shall be properly covered at all times; (o) Ingress and egress of the preparation room shall be situated so that functions in the funeral home shall not impede or interfere with entering or exiting said room; and (p) Sufficient emergency lighting. (3) The board shall issue a license to operate an embalming facility only for the address at which the embalming facility is to operate and shall issue said license only to an embalmer who is actually in charge of the facility. Replaces: 4717-1-27 Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-8 Unprofessional Conduct 4717-8-01 Unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: (A) Solicitation of dead human bodies by an embalmer or funeral director, or an apprentice, or an agent, an assistant, employee or any other person acting on behalf of the licensee with their knowledge and consent, expressed or implied, when the solicitation occurs after death; (B) Interference of an embalmer or funeral director, directly or indirectly, in any manner or through any other person, with another embalmer or funeral director who has lawful charge of a dead human body; (C) Disclosure by a licensee or apprentice of confidences, privacies, confidential facts, confidential opinions or secrets of the life of any person, persons or family members, the knowledge of which was acquired through professional relationship with said person, persons or family members.


(D) Violations of the federal trade commission’s funeral industry rule, codified as Chapter 16, Part 453 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, July 19, 1994 (hereinafter, referred to as the “funeral rule”). A copy is available on the federal trade commission’s website at http://www.ftc.gov. (E) Violations of state or federal laws involving dishonesty, falsification, misrepresentation, deceit or deception. (F) Misappropriation by a funeral director, funeral home or funeral home’s employee of any amount of money whether paid by a consumer or acquired by any other means in order to fund his or her funeral service. (G) Failure to comply with any board request during an inspection or investigation, or finding, or order. (H) Falsification or misrepresentation on any application or document submitted to the board. (I) Failure to submit the preneed funeral contract annual report by the thirtieth day of March of each year. Effective: 05/16/2011 Chapter 4717-9 Continuing Education 4717-9-01 Continuing education requirements. (A) Pursuant to section 4717.09 of the Revised Code, each person licensed to practice as an embalmer or funeral director in this state shall attend a minimum of eighteen hours of continuing education programs approved by the board for the two year compliance period and every two years thereafter. Compliance shall be required on or before the end of each two-year period following December 31, 2006. The twoyear compliance period shall commence on January first of the next two-year compliance period following receipt of the applicant’s initial license. Compliance with the requirements of continuing education is a prerequisite for license renewal. (B) Pursuant to section 5903.12 of the Revised Code, the board upon receiving an application from one of its licensees that is accompanied by the proper documentation certifying that the licensee has been called to active duty during the current or prior reporting period and certifying the length of that active duty, shall extend the current reporting period by an amount of time equal to the total number of months that the licensee spent on active duty during the current reporting period. The board shall also consider relevant education, training, or service completed by a licensee as a member of the armed forces of the United States or reserve components thereof the Ohio national guard, the Ohio military reserve, or the Ohio naval militia in determining whether a licensee has fulfilled required continuing education. (C) Pursuant section 4717.08 of the Revised Code, the board’s decision regarding license renewal is made on or before December thirty-first of each even numbered year. (D) Hours of continuing education may be obtained by attending and participating in an approved program of activities.


(E) It is the responsibility of each licensee to finance the licensee’s costs of continuing education and retain all certificates of completion for four years or until the licensee submits such as proof during a random audit. (F) Approved program of activity (1) A program of activity shall be qualified for approval as an approved program of activity if the board determines that: (a) It constitutes an organized program of learning (including a workshop or symposium) which contributes directly to the professional competency of the licensee or it conforms to the master training requirements of this chapter; and (b) It pertains to common subjects or other subject matters which integrally relate to the practice of embalming and funeral directing; and (c) It permits attendance by all funeral directors and embalmers in the state of Ohio. (2) A sponsor, organization or person which desires to obtain approval of a course, program or other continuing education activity shall obtain approval prior to the activity. A sponsor, organization or person shall submit to the board an application established by the board. Such application shall be submitted prior to the last Friday preceding the board’s monthly meeting. A separate application shall be submitted for each course, program, convention or other continuing education activity desiring approval. The board shall approve or deny such application in writing at the next regular meeting of the board. Any program approved by the board will be valid through the current compliance period, providing that there is no change to content. The applicant shall state the dates, subjects offered, total hours of instruction, names and qualifications of speakers, other pertinent information and a sample of the certificate of completion. (G) Except as otherwise provided in this rule, the board shall approve one hour of continuing education credit time for every one hour of attendance by a licensee at an approved program of activity. (H) The board shall approve nine hours or one half of the required continuing education hours fulfilled through courses, programs and other continuing education activities provided by correspondence which includes online courses. (I) The board shall not consider individual insurance programs for continuing education credit. (J) The board shall allow four hours of credit for licensees who submit a copy of the “licensee continuing education transcript” from the Ohio department of insurance evidencing satisfactory completion of the continuing education requirements for issuance or renewal of an insurance license. (K) An individual licensee seeking credit for attendance and participation in an educational activity out of the state of Ohio which is not approved prior to the date of the activity shall submit on a form established by the board within thirty days after completion of such activity, request for credit, including a brief resume of the activity, its dates, subjects, instructors, and their qualifications and the number of credit hours requested therefore and all necessary printed matter. Within ninety days after receipt of such


application, the board shall advise the licensee in writing by ordinary mail whether the activity is approved and the number of hours allowed therefore. A licensee not complying with the requirements of this paragraph may be denied credit for such activity. (L) Certificates of completion must be awarded upon the successful completion of all approved continuing education courses and must include the following information: (1) Sponsor’s name; (2) Licensee’s name and license number; (3) Approved course title; (4) Date of course completion; (5) Course location; (6) Number of approved continuing education credit hours awarded; and (7) Signature of sponsor or representative for sponsor. (M) The board may conduct a random audit of the continuing education records of a number of the licensees to be determined by the board each renewal period. The board will notify licensees who are randomly selected for the audit to determine compliance with the continuing education requirement specified in this rule. (1) Licensees, chosen randomly, shall submit to the board by the date specified by the board, copies of certificates of completion, records and documentation of proof of completion of the continuing education activities used to meet the continuing education requirements of this rule. (2) Failure to comply with the continuing education audit will result in the commencement of disciplinary action by the board. (N) A license shall not be renewed unless the licensee certifies on the renewal application that the individual completed the required number of continuing education hours specified in paragraph (A) of this rule. (O) Record keeping requirements for sponsors: The sponsor must maintain the notice of board approval letter, attendance records, a copy of all forms, including course outlines and instructor resumes and a copy of the certificate of completion for a minimum of four years. These records must be made available to the board upon request. Replaces: 4717-1-23 Effective: 04/10/2011


R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/10/2016 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4717.04 Rule Amplifies: 4717.09 Prior Effective Dates: 8/1/81, 1/1/84, 7/1/87, 1/1/01, 11/10/05, 01-09-07 4717-9-02 Exemptions or waivers from continuing education. (A) A licensee who is not engaged in the practice of embalming and/or funeral directing in the state of Ohio may be granted an exemption upon written application to the board. The application shall contain a statement that the applicant will not engage in the practice of embalming and/or funeral directing in Ohio without first complying with all regulations governing removal of exemption. The application for an exemption shall be submitted upon the form established by the board. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this rule, the board shall not grant an exemption of the continuing education requirements to any licensee designated as a manager of a funeral home or any funeral director actually in charge of or ultimately responsible for a funeral home or an embalmer actually in charge of an embalming facility in the state of Ohio. (B) Removal of continuing education exemption. Licensees who have been granted an exemption pursuant to this rule shall, prior to engaging in the practice of embalming and/or funeral directing in the state of Ohio, satisfy the following requirements for removal of exemption: (1) Submit written application for removal of continuing education exemption to the board upon forms established by the board; and (2) Furnish on the application evidence of one of the following: (a) The full-time practice of embalming and funeral directing in another state of the United States or the District of Columbia and completion of continuing education for each year of exemption status substantially equivalent in the opinion of the board to that required under rule 4717-9-01 of the Administrative Code; or (b) Completion of the total number of hours of accredited continuing education equal to that required during the exemption period; or (c) Successful completion of the Ohio laws license examination conducted within one year after the submission of such application for removal of continuing education exemption. (C) Exemption for fifty years of licensure.


An individual who has held a license as an embalmer or funeral director for not less than fifty years may make written application to the board for an exemption from the minimum education requirements. The application for the exemption shall be made on forms established by the board and signed by the licensee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this rule, the board shall not grant an exemption to any licensee designated as the person actually in charge of an embalming facility, or to any licensee designated as the manager or the funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for a funeral home. An exemption granted under this rule shall be automatically voided if the individual holding the exemption is designated as the person actually in charge of an embalming facility or a manager or funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for a funeral home. If an exemption for fifty years of licensure is voided, the licensee must notify the board and request an amendment to the funeral home license. Upon the board’s acceptance of a satisfactorily completed amendment, the licensee is permitted to serve as manager and/or funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home. The licensee is responsible for completing the total number of hours of accredited continuing education for the compliance period in which the exemption for fifty years of licensure is voided before the licensee is permitted to renew. (D) Approval of a waiver, exemption, or fifty-year exemption does not waive or exempt the licensee from renewal fees. (E) Physical disability, illness or undue hardship (waivers). The board may, in individual cases involving physical disability or illness as certified by a physician, or good cause shown, grant waivers of the minimum education requirements. No waiver shall be granted unless written application therefore shall be made on forms established by the board and signed by the licensee; and in the case of physical disability or illness signed by a physician licensed by the medical board. Waivers of the minimum educational requirements may be granted by the board for any period not to exceed one compliance period. In the event that the physical disability or illness or good cause shown for which the waiver has been granted continues beyond the period of waiver, the licensee must reapply for a new waiver for the applicable compliance period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this rule, the board shall not grant a waiver of the minimum continuing education requirements to any licensee designated as the manager of a funeral home pursuant to paragraph (B)(2)(a) of rule 4717-1-16 of the Administrative Code. Replaces: 4717-1-23 Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-10 Preneed Funeral Contract Annual Report 4717-10-01 Preneed funeral contract annual report. (A) Unless exempt from compliance under section 4717.38 of the Revised Code or otherwise not required to file an annual report with the board pursuant to division (K) of section 4717.31 of the Revised Code, each year no later than the thirtieth day of March, a seller of preneed funeral contracts who is subject to sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code shall file an annual report relating to all existing funded


preneed contracts as of December thirty-first of the prior calendar year. The report shall be submitted on a form provided by the board and shall include, but not be limited to the following: (1) The name of the beneficiary of each trust account or insurance policy as of the thirty-first day of December; (2) An account or policy number for each trust account or insurance policy as of the thirty-first day of December; (3) The account balance of each trust account as of the thirty-first day of December; (4) Any activity on each trust account in the calendar year immediately preceding the thirty-first day of December; (5) Information indicating whether the trust funds in each trust account were invested in accordance with Chapter 1111. of the Revised Code in the calendar year immediately preceding the thirty-first day of December; (6) In the event that the trustee of the account is a natural person, evidence of the existence and amount of any corporate surety bond for each account as of the thirty-first day of December. (B) An affidavit certifying items in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(6) of this rule signed by the funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home. Replaces: 4717-1-25 Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-11 Summary Suspension 4717-11-01 Summary suspension. (A) Any license granted by the board may be summarily suspended without a prior adjudicatory hearing pursuant division (B) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code if, in the opinion of the board there is clear and convincing evidence that the license holder has violated divisions (A)(1) to (10) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code and the licensee’s continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public. (1) Prior to the consideration of a summary suspension under paragraph (A) of this rule, the executive director shall prepare written allegations for consideration by the board. (2) If the board determines that the conditions in paragraph (A) of this rule are met, it shall issue a written order of suspension, by certified mail or personal service, in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code. (3) The licensee may request an adjudicatory hearing. Such hearing shall be set by the board within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, of said request, unless otherwise agreed by the board and the


licensee. Said request shall be deemed to have been made as of the date of receipt of the request by the board. (4) The board shall issue a final adjudicatory order within thirty days after the completion of the adjudicatory hearing, except in the case of the summary suspension of a crematory facility license, in which case the board shall issue a final adjudicatory order within sixty days after completion of the adjudicatory hearing. Failure to issue a final adjudicatory order within that time will result in the dissolution of the summary suspension order but in no way affects or invalidates the final adjudicatory order or any subsequent order of the board. (5) A summary suspension issued by the board is not subject to stay by the court during the pendency of any appeal by the licensee under section 119.12 of the Revised Code. (B) Any holder of a license issued under Chapter 4717. of the Revised Code who has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the individual by any jurisdiction and for any offense listed in division (E) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code is suspended from practice of embalming and/or funeral directing by operation of law as of the date of such guilty plea, verdict or finding of guilt, or judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction. The board shall issue a written order of suspension, by certified mail or personal service, in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code. (1) The licensee may request an adjudicatory hearing, pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code. Such hearing shall be set by the board within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, of said request, unless otherwise agreed. Said request shall be deemed to have been made as of the date of receipt by the request by the board. (2) The board shall issue a final adjudicatory order after the completion of the adjudicatory hearing. If the licensee fails to request an adjudicatory hearing, the board shall enter a final order revoking the license. Replaces: 4717-1-29 Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-12 Forfeitures 4717-12-01 Forfeitures. (A) For purposes of division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code, the board may impose a forfeiture for the following types of conduct, which constitute violations of Chapter 4717. of the Revised Code. The licensee shall pay to the executive director of the board the full amount of the forfeiture by certified check made payable to the board, and received within the time period set forth in section 4717.15 of the Revised Code. The amount of the forfeiture shall be in accordance with the following schedule: (1) For obtaining a license under this chapter by fraud or misrepresentation either in the application or in passing the required examination for the license, the board may impose a fine as follows: (a) For a first offense, a minimum fine of one thousand dollars to a maximum fine of five thousand dollars.


(b) For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of ten thousand dollars. (2) For purposely violating any provision of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15 of the Revised Code or a rule adopted under any of those sections; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code; division (B)(1) or (B)(2), (C)(1) or (C) (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (F)(2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26 of the Revised Code; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27 of the Revised Code; or divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28 of the Revised Code, the board may impose a fine as follows: (a) For a first offense, a minimum fine of five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of five thousand dollars. (b) For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of ten thousand dollars. (3) For committing unprofessional conduct, the board may impose a fine as follows: (a) For a first offense, a minimum fine of five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of five thousand dollars. (b) For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of ten thousand dollars. (4) For knowingly permitting an unlicensed person, other than a person serving an apprenticeship, to engage in the profession or business of embalming or funeral directing under the licensee’s supervision, the board may impose a fine as follows: (a) For a first offense, a minimum fine of two thousand five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of five thousand dollars. (b) For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of ten thousand dollars. (5) For refusing to promptly submit the custody of a dead human body upon the express oral or written order of the person legally entitled to the body, the board may impose a fine as follows: (a) For a first offense, a minimum fine of one thousand dollars to a maximum fine of five thousand dollars. (b) For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of ten thousand dollars. (6) For transferring a license to operate a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility from one owner or operator to another, or from one location to another without notifying the board, the board may impose a fine as follows:


(a) For a first offense, a minimum fine of one thousand dollars to a maximum fine of five thousand dollars. (b) For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of ten thousand dollars. (7) For misleading the public using false or deceptive advertising, the board may impose a fine as follows: (a) For a first offense, a minimum fine of one thousand dollars to a maximum fine of five thousand dollars. (b) For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars to a maximum fine of ten thousand dollars. (B) If the licensee fails to remit the forfeiture or request a hearing, the board shall issue an order according to division (B) of section 4717.15 of the Revised Code. Replaces: 4717-1-30 Effective: 04/10/2011 Chapter 4717-13 Inspections 4717-13-01 Inspections. Every crematory, embalming facility and funeral home licensed by the board shall make its records available for inspection to the board or the board’s agents during reasonable hours. (A) Every funeral director and funeral home must retain all records relating to any preneed funeral contract or insurance policy that they establish for a consumer that desires to prepay their funeral service for at least five years after satisfaction of the contract. (B) Any person designated as an AIC/UR, CROP, EAIC of a funeral home, crematory, or embalming facility respectively, shall make the facility open for an inspection or investigation by the board or the board’s agents during reasonable hours. (C) Failure to comply with the board’s request during an inspection or investigation may result in disciplinary action. Replaces: 4717-1-31 Effective: 04/10/2011


Updated 4/11/11

NEW Administrative Rules The Board has recently completed the process of re-organizing and revising all of the Board’s Ohio Administrative Rules. The majority of the new rules became effective April 10, 2011. However, the new rules which pertain to apprenticeship and initial embalmer and funeral director licensing will not become effective until January 1, 2012. The rules have been separated into thirteen specific categories. This re-organization should prove helpful to both licensees and consumers. Below is a list of the new rules and effective dates. Eventually, these rules will be available on LAW WriterŽ Ohio. However, in the interim, you may access the rule language by clicking on the rule number. RULE

RULE PERTAINS TO:

EFFECTIVE DATE

4717-1-01

Definitions.

4/10/11

4717-1-02

Public meetings.

4/10/11

4717-1-03

Notice of administrative rules hearing.

4/10/11

4717-1-04

Legal representation.

4/10/11

4717-2-01

Meetings of the board.

4/10/11

4717-2-02

Committees of the board.

4/10/11

4717-2-03

Duties of the officers.

4/10/11

4717-2-04

Crematory review board.

4/10/11

4717-2-05

Personal information system.

4/10/11

4717-3-01

Fees and charges.

4/10/11

4717-4-01

Requirements for embalmer's license.

1/1/12

4717-4-02

Requirements for reciprocal embalmer's license.

4/10/11

4717-4-03

Requirements for funeral director's license in combination with an embalmer's license.

1/1/12

4717-4-04

Requirements for funeral director's license without an embalmer's license.

1/1/12

4717-4-05

Requirements for reciprocal funeral director's license.

4/10/11

4717-5-01

Apprenticeship requirements.

1/1/12

4717-5-02

Master embalmer and master funeral director requirements.

1/1/12

4717-5-03

Apprenticeship.

1/1/12

4717-6-01

Embalmer's examination and subjects.

4/10/11

4717-6-02

Funeral directors' examination and subjects.

4/10/11

Page 1 of 2


Updated 4/11/11

4717-7-01

Fixed place or location and general requirements for licensure of funeral homes and embalming facilities.

4/10/11

4717-7-02

Requirements for funeral home licensure.

4/10/11

4717-7-03

Sale or disposition of existing funeral home.

4/10/11

4717-7-04

Crematory facilities.

4/10/11

4717-7-05

Embalming facilities.

4/10/11

4717-8-01

Unprofessional conduct.

tbd

4717-9-01

Continuing education requirements.

4/10/11

4717-9-02

Exemptions or waivers from continuing education.

4/10/11

4717-10-01

Preneed funeral contract annual report.

4/10/11

4717-11-01

Summary suspension.

4/10/11

4717-12-01

Forfeitures.

4/10/11

4717-13-01

Inspections.

4/10/11

Page 2 of 2


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics

Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) Easy Step Guide For Certificate of Service Version 1.0 May 2011


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Table of Contents EDRS Documentation

3

Workflow: Certificate of Service

4

EDRS Screen Shots

5-9

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 2 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

EDRS Documentation EDRS documentation is available for funeral directors and funeral homes staff on the Vital Statistics support site: http://vitalsupport.odh.ohio.gov Forms in EDRS  Funeral Director User Support Document - used to request user IDs.  Facility Facts Change Request Form – used to change funeral home data  Death Certificate Worksheet – used to collect required data for EDRS Accessing the Application The application is accessed via the internet and a web browser.

Open your Internet Browser This guide will use Internet Explorer for the browser.

Enter the URL in the Address box or select from Favorites.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 3 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Workflow: Certification of Service When a deceased did not die in Ohio, but has been returned to Ohio for burial or cremation a Certification of Service certificate is created.

The funeral director will create the Certificate of Service in EDRS then print and sign the Certificate of Service.

The funeral director will send the Certificate of Service to the Registrar of the local health department in the Ohio City/County where the body is being buried or cremated.

The Registrar will approve or reject the Certificate of Service for filing.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 4 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Click FILE, NEW, CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 5 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Enter decedent’s name, date of death, place of death (State), date of birth and place of birth (State).

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 6 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Type “Y” or “N” on the Veteran tab. If “Y” then complete all open fields.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 7 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

On the Disposition tab, type the Date of burial, select Funeral Home name from drop down list box and then enter the date the funeral director is signing the Certificate of Service. Choose “Other” from Cemetery Name drop down list box, type the name of Cemetery in the next field, select Ohio for cemetery State field and select the cemetery county from the County drop down list box. If the cemetery is located inside the city limits, select cemetery City from the drop down list box other wise type Township or Village. Note: do not enter Township or Village if City is selected, do not enter City or Village if Township is entered, etc….. If it is known enter cemetery Section, Lot and Grave.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 8 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Type “Y” into the Complete field on the Completed tab to finish the Certificate of Service. The Registrar section will be automatically completed by EDRS. Click FILE, SAVE to save the Certificate of Service in EDRS.

Click on REQUESTS, PRINT: DEATH CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE to print the Certificate of Service.

The Certificate of Service is filed at the Local Health Department in the Ohio city/county where the body is being buried or cremated. REGISTRARS: To file the Certificate of Service search and display the Certificate of Service, type a Y into the REGISTRAR SIGN? field and save.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 9 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics

Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) Easy Step Guide For Certificate of Service Version 1.0 May 2011


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Table of Contents EDRS Documentation

3

Workflow: Certificate of Service

4

EDRS Screen Shots

5-9

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 2 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

EDRS Documentation EDRS documentation is available for funeral directors and funeral homes staff on the Vital Statistics support site: http://vitalsupport.odh.ohio.gov Forms in EDRS  Funeral Director User Support Document - used to request user IDs.  Facility Facts Change Request Form – used to change funeral home data  Death Certificate Worksheet – used to collect required data for EDRS Accessing the Application The application is accessed via the internet and a web browser.

Open your Internet Browser This guide will use Internet Explorer for the browser.

Enter the URL in the Address box or select from Favorites.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 3 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Workflow: Certification of Service When a deceased did not die in Ohio, but has been returned to Ohio for burial or cremation a Certification of Service certificate is created.

The funeral director will create the Certificate of Service in EDRS then print and sign the Certificate of Service.

The funeral director will send the Certificate of Service to the Registrar of the local health department in the Ohio City/County where the body is being buried or cremated.

The Registrar will approve or reject the Certificate of Service for filing.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 4 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Click FILE, NEW, CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 5 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Enter decedent’s name, date of death, place of death (State), date of birth and place of birth (State).

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 6 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Type “Y” or “N” on the Veteran tab. If “Y” then complete all open fields.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 7 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

On the Disposition tab, type the Date of burial, select Funeral Home name from drop down list box and then enter the date the funeral director is signing the Certificate of Service. Choose “Other” from Cemetery Name drop down list box, type the name of Cemetery in the next field, select Ohio for cemetery State field and select the cemetery county from the County drop down list box. If the cemetery is located inside the city limits, select cemetery City from the drop down list box other wise type Township or Village. Note: do not enter Township or Village if City is selected, do not enter City or Village if Township is entered, etc….. If it is known enter cemetery Section, Lot and Grave.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 8 of 9


Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Death Record System –Certificate of Service 5/26/2011 Training

Type “Y” into the Complete field on the Completed tab to finish the Certificate of Service. The Registrar section will be automatically completed by EDRS. Click FILE, SAVE to save the Certificate of Service in EDRS.

Click on REQUESTS, PRINT: DEATH CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE to print the Certificate of Service.

The Certificate of Service is filed at the Local Health Department in the Ohio city/county where the body is being buried or cremated. REGISTRARS: To file the Certificate of Service search and display the Certificate of Service, type a Y into the REGISTRAR SIGN? field and save.

Proprietary and confidential information for the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics

Page 9 of 9


Senate Bill 175: The Grieving Parents Act

Impact Statement Effective: September 12, 2008 Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics (ODH/VS)

Purpose: To enact the Grieving Parents Act, regarding fetal death certificates for, and burials of, the product of human conception that suffers a fetal death.

Proposed changes which affect Vital Statistics operations: 1. Parents may request a fetal death certificate for an under 20 week gestation fetal death (previously only available for gestations of at least 20 weeks or greater). 2. Hospitals/physicians must provide information and a written statement which confirms that a woman was pregnant and that she subsequently suffered a miscarriage that resulted in a fetal death. 3. Gestation for a fetal death is irrespective of the duration of pregnancy (previously was at least 20 weeks or greater, now may be of any gestation). 4. Gestation for a Stillborn is at least 20 weeks of pregnancy (the definition of a Stillborn was redefined). 5. Burial permit is required for an under 20 week gestation when a fetal death certificate is filed. If no fetal death certificate is filed for an under 20 week gestation, then no burial permit is required.

Page 1 of 4


Guidelines for Processing Fetal Death Certificates Under 20 Weeks Local Registrars 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

No cause of death is required Can issue certified copy of a fetal death certificate Cannot issue certificate of stillbirth (only available from ODH/VS) Parents have to apply to have a fetal death certificate filed and must have statement from physician Statement form from physician should require physician signature (form does not exist yet) Fetal death certificate can be filed and a burial permit issued, if either the mother or both parents apply If only the father applies, must have a notarized statement from the mother It is not required to register a fetal death death certificate if less than 20 weeks

Funeral Directors 1. 2.

May be asked by family to create and file a fetal death certificate for under 20 weeks Must pay for burial or cremation permit with certificate

Physicians 1. 2.

Need to create two new forms – statement and application The statement form should require physician signature

Coroners 1.

Accident, suicide, homicide, etc. - it has not yet been determined how coroners will note this manner since the manner of death is not required‌ what about possible criminal implications?

Cemeteries 1. 2.

If a fetal death certificate WAS filed, MUST have a burial permit to bury. If a fetal death certificate WAS NOT filed, MAY NOT have a burial permit to bury.

Page 2 of 4


Guidelines for Processing Fetal Death Certificates At 20 Weeks or More

Local Registrars 1. 2. 3. 4.

Fetal death certificate and burial permit is required for burial Must be registered on a fetal death certificate form Cause of Death is required to file the certificate Identifying information for parents may not be required if from a purposeful termination (also known as induced termination)

Funeral Directors 1. 2. 3.

Must create and file a fetal death certificate if performing final disposition Must have cause of death and medical and health use only data completed before acceptable for filing. Must pay for burial permit

Physicians 1. 2.

Must complete and sign fetal death certificate Must have cause of death and medical and health use only data completed

Coroners 1. 2.

May complete and sign fetal death certificate Must have cause of death and medical and health use only data completed

Cemeteries 1.

Must have a burial permit to bury

Page 3 of 4


General Questions ODH/VS staff have posed the following questions, which have yet to be answered by the responsible parties.

1.

Since an under 20 week gestation fetal death certificate does not need a cause of death, must it be signed by a physician since the parents will have a statement from a physician that the mother had a miscarriage?

2.

Does the under 20 week gestation fetal death certificate need the “Information for Medical and Health Use Only� portion completed for the certificate to be acceptable for filing?

3.

Do purposeful terminations over 20 weeks of gestation now require a fetal death certificate to be completed, and does it require the cause of death section be completed?

4.

Do purposeful terminations over 20 weeks of gestation require the completion of identifying information for the parents?

5.

How will it be determined whether a fetal death under 20 weeks of gestation should be referred to a coroner since the cause of death is not placed on the fetal death certificate?

6.

If a fetal death under 20 weeks of gestation occurs due to an accident, homicide or suicide, and the coroner wants to list a cause of death for possible legal reasons, would the coroner be able to list a cause since the law specifically states that a cause of death shall not be listed? (ORC 3705.20 (A))

7.

How will a cemetery know whether a burial permit was issued if they can accept under 20 week gestation fetuses with and without a burial permit?

8.

Will the statement form required to be completed by the physician have the physician signature, and will ODH/VS work to assist in the design of the form to ensure the necessary identifying information is included on the form?

Page 4 of 4


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.