COVID-19 Updates

Useful up to date COVID-19 Vaccine information

COVID-19 Vaccine information for health professionals

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has information on the Coronavirus Disease for both healthcare professionals and the general public which is updated regularly, as new information becomes available. Read more here.

Have you downloaded COVIDWISE, Virginia's COVID-19 exposure notification app? Add your phone to the fight here.

Important Information from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Cremation Authorization Fee Increase – Effective November 1, 2021

Please see the below correspondence from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) regarding an upcoming change in the cremation authorization fee. 

September 20, 2021 Correspondence from William T. Gormley, M.D., Chief Medical Examiner

For more information or questions, please contact your District OCME office. 

Upcoming Training Opportunities - Funeral Providers and Medical Certifiers

Information from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, regarding a series of upcoming trainings for funeral providers and medical certifiers on the requirements for death certificates, vital records, and use of the EDRS.   Read More

FEMA Funeral Assistance Program (NEW!) – April 6, 2021

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program to help pay funeral expenses associated with COVID-19 related deaths.

For more information:

• Access the FEMA website - COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.
• Access the April 6th News Release of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).

Scam Alert

The Department of Health Professions (DHP) has been made aware that some licensees have received fraudulent communications from individuals claiming to be from one of our licensing boards, such as the Board of Pharmacy, or another agency, such as the DEA. The communications, often by phone, may threaten arrest or license suspension, demand personal information, or require the payment of fines. Read More.

Recent Regulatory Changes – Effective March 3, 2021

The Virginia Board of Funeral Director and Embalmers conducts a periodic review of its regulations approximately every four years. The Board recently completed the comprehensive review of two regulatory chapters, Chapter 20 Regulations Governing the Practice of Funeral Services, and Chapter 30 Regulations for Preneed Funeral Planning. Amendments to these regulations became effective March 3, 2021.

Updates to Regulations Governing the Practice of Funeral Services 18VAC65-20-10 et seq. Click here to access a listing of the most notable regulatory changes to the Board’s Regulations Governing the Practice of Funeral Services.

Updates to Regulations for Preneed Funeral Planning 18VAC65-30-10 et seq. Click here to access a listing of the most notable regulatory changes to the Board’s Regulations for Preneed Funeral Planning.

Click here to access the updated Preneed Q&A Disclosures for Consumers.

To access updated versions of the Board’s Regulations Governing the Practice of Funeral Services and Regulations for Preneed Funeral Planning, visit the Board’s Laws and Regulations page.

To view the interlined changes to the text of the Board’s Regulations, please visit the Virginia Town Hall website: Regulations Governing the Practice of Funeral Services and Regulations for Preneed Funeral Planning.

License Verification

The Board offers electronic license verifications using the DHP License Lookup feature.  License Lookup is updated in real time and available 24/7 to anyone seeking public licensure information on healthcare practitioners in Virginia. Please click here for instructions and fees on requesting a paper version to be sent to another jurisdiction on your behalf.

Important information regarding Medicaid Burial Set Aside

Duty to Report Adult Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation - More information...
The Adult Protective Services Program at the Virginia Department of Social Services is pleased to announce the availability of a new online educational opportunity for mandated reporters of abuse, neglect and exploitation of older or incapacitated individuals. This online training course has been developed for, and with the assistance of, mandated reporters and APS professionals to assist mandated reporters in understanding adult abuse and their responsibilities as mandated reporters. Read More...