Oregon Law Puts Home Funeral Educators, Families at Risk

Alert! April 21, 2009--Josh Slocum, executive director of Funeral Consumers Alliance, informs us that the Oregon Senate is considering a bill, SB 796, that would require anyone who receives payment for educating groups or individuals about funeral options to be licensed as a death care consultant. Here is the wording:

“An individual may not practice as a death care consultant unless the individual is licensed as a death care consultant under section 4 of this 2009 Act. Regardless of any title used by the individual, an individual practices as a death care consultant if the individual offers, for payment, consultations or workshops to individuals or groups regarding funeral or final disposition services.”

Slocum has written the bill's sponsor, Sen. Vicki Walker, about his concerns. His letter describes the bill's measures as an infringement on First Amendment rights of funeral consumer and home funeral advocates and educators and as a strategic move by funeral industry insiders to curtail the growing home funeral movement. Slocum's letter recognizes the need for a public discussion to begin around the subject of how funeral regulations might need to be updated to consider new developments including surging interest in family-directed funerals, but he rightly calls for such discussions to be transparent, public and involve all players.

Take action now! Email Sen. Vicki Walker, write to her at 900 Court St. NE, S-309
Salem, OR 9730, or call her at (503) 986-1707.

You can read more about the issue at the FCA website. We're also inviting comment from Funeral Consumers Alliance of Oregon and home funeral educators and practitioners in that state. Let us know what you know about this bill, what your concerns are, how we can help. Email us so we can support you.