Renewal Reminders

Renewals of licenses and registrations for the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors & Embalmers are due on March 31, 2019. We recommend that you submit your renewal fee as soon as possible in order to avoid any late fees and possible interruption in your ability to practice. The Board does not consider postmarked mail, so any payments received after March 31, 2019 will be considered late. Payments made in person at the Board office will be processed the next business day.

The Board encourages you to read the reminders and important information about renewals by clicking here.

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Final Regulations

Recently, final regulations became effective for the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers in the following areas:

1. Clarification of Permission to Embalm and Refrigeration of Human Remains – Effective December 26, 2018

2. Continuing Education Credit for Attendance of Board Meetings – Effective November 28, 2018

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Update to Code of Virginia regarding filing death certificates; medical certification; investigation by Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Effective July 1, 2018, changes have been made to Virginia Code §32.1-263 regarding filing death certificates. The new language states that “if a licensed funeral director, funeral service licensee, or representative of the office of the state anatomical program completes the certificate of death, he shall file the certificate of death with the State Registrar of Vital Records electronically using the Electronic Death Registration System and in accordance with the requirements of subsection A. If a member of the next of kin of the deceased completes the certificate of death, he shall file the certificate of death in accordance with the requirements of subsection A but shall not be required to file the certificate of death electronically.” Click here for more information and to view the complete text.

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At the January 16, 2018 meeting, the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers accepted revisions to the Funeral Service Internship Reporting forms. Effective immediately, the new forms should be utilized by all applicants. These forms can be found on the Forms and Applications page.

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Important Information from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME)

Electronic Cremation Certificates and Additional Information Regarding Cremation Authorizations

Recently, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) distributed an updated electronic version of the cremation certificate (which is a fillable pdf) that can be used immediately by funeral homes and crematories. The OCME also released a memo that provides additional information for the funeral homes and crematories regarding cremation authorizations.

Click here to access the OCME’s memo regarding cremation authorizations.

Click here to access the new fillable cremation certificate.

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Paperless Verification

Effective June 1, 2018, the Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers will be going to an online license verification system using our agency's License Lookup feature.  While applicants or licensees may request paper or pdf copies of license verifications as needed or required, the online resource will serve as the official hard copy and proof of licensure for all individuals and establishments licensed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. License Lookup is updated in real time and available 24/7 to anyone seeking public licensure information on healthcare practitioners in Virginia.

If a hard copy verification is required, please click here for instructions and fees.

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Change of Name/Address Information

Please click here for information on how to change your address or make a name change.

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Virginia Department of Veterans Services

To implement the 2012 legislation passed regarding Unclaimed Remains of Veterans, the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) requests the assistance of funeral homes in identifying the unclaimed veterans remains. Please see the following from DVS:

Information on the program for unclaimed cremains of veterans
Letter to Funeral Directors from DVS
Draft Identification of Unclaimed Cremated Remains form

§ 54.1-2808.1 - Disposition of Cremains
§ 54.1-2808.2. Identification of unclaimed cremains of veterans

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Important information regarding Medicaid Burial Set Aside

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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...(word .doc)