consumerbrief

800-242-5846�New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairswww.NJConsumerAffairs.gov

State Board ofMortuary ScienceTHE HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE BOARD

The State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey wascreated in 1948. The Board’s mission is to regulate thepractice of mortuary science through the enforcementof statutes and regulations that set forth the propermanner for the sanitary treatment, disinfection andpreservation of the deceased. The Board strives to achievethese goals while, at the same time, respecting eachfamily’s religious values and meeting the high standardsestablished by regulations put in place by the NewJersey Department of Health regarding the handling ofthose who have passed away.

The Board comprises 13 members, eight of whom arelicensed mortuary science practitioners with a minimum offive years’ experience practicing in New Jersey, the experi-ence having been attained immediately preceding theappointment. The Governor appoints each member for aterm of three years and no member may serve more thantwo consecutive terms. One Board member must be anemployee of a department within the executive branch ofState government, while the other four members of theBoard are chosen from the public. One of those publicmembers of the Board must be at least 62 years of age.Every Board member serves until a new appointee isconfirmed and takes his or her seat on the Board.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Practitioners of mortuary science (also known as funeraldirectors, morticians or undertakers) must meet certaineducational standards. A candidate for a license as a funeraldirector must have a high school diploma and at least twoyears of college at an institution of higher education ac-credited by the Commission on Higher Education. If a can-didate has completed two years of college, he/she may thenenter a one-year course at a school of mortuary science rec-ognized by the American Board of Funeral Service Educa-tion. He/she then must take part in a two-year internship.

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Every candidate, no matter how many years of college havebeen completed, also must pass a mortuary jurisprudenceexamination and, once the internship has been completed,a practical examination as well. If a candidate has completedat least three years of college and one year of education at aschool of mortuary science, the term of the internship isone year.

WHAT CONSUMERS SHOULD KNOW

When a bereaved family requires the services of a funeraldirector, perhaps the best way to find a reputable licensedpractitioner is by getting a referral from a friend or memberof the clergy. When the family is trying to select a funeraldirector from a short list of possible choices, the family cancheck to see if each person on that list has a license issuedby the State of New Jersey and whether that license is ingood standing. This may be done by going to the Board’sweb page, www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/mor/Pages/default.aspx. The family will then be able to access acurrent Licensee List. The family can also find out if disci-plinary action has been taken against any licenseeon its list. In addition, on the Division’s main page

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800-242-5846�New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairswww.NJConsumerAffairs.gov

www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/, anyone who has experienceda problem with a funeral director will find directions tolocate the correct Complaint Form. The complaint formmust be printed out and filled out legibly by hand. It shouldthen be submitted to the Board along with copies of anyrelevant documents. If consumers do not have access to theInternet, they may call the Board at 973-504-6425 to re-quest that a complaint form be mailed to them.

The State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey inves-tigates every complaint it receives. Usually the consumer isasked, after the complaint form has been filled out and sentto the Board, to submit a clearly written detailed accountconcerning what occurred. The licensee is then providedwith a copy of the complaint and the additional filing. Atthat point the licensee is given an opportunity to respondto the allegations. The entire Board reviews the evidenceand decides the matter on the merits of all of the submitteddocumentation. If the Board is unable to reach a decision,both parties will be asked to appear before the Board’sInvestigative Inquiry Committee for a comprehensivereview of the situation. Investigations may take a few monthsto be completed. If a dispute is strictly about fees,the Board will refer the matter to the Division of

Consumer Affairs’ Alternative Resolution Unit, a separateunit of the Division with a stellar record of resolvingdisputes of this nature. There is no fee for A.D.R. services.The Board’s decision is appealable first to the Board itself.If either party is dissatisfied with the Board’s decision atthat point, the matter would then be sent to be heard by ajudge in the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey (CivilPart). Please note that there are fees involved when filing acomplaint in Superior Court.

The State Board of Mortuary Science ofNew Jersey is dedicated to assisting the families ofNew Jersey at a time when they are mostin need of help and guidance. The Board worksdiligently every day to ensure that individualslicensed as practitioners of mortuary sciencein New Jersey perform their solemn duties at thehighest level of professional competenceand integrity.

New Jersey Office of the Attorney General

DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

NEWARK

124 Halsey Street

P.O. Box 45025

Newark, NJ 07101

973-504-6200

800-242-5846(toll free within N.J.)

E-Mail: AskConsumerAffairs@dca.lps.state.nj.us

website:www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov