Finding the right funeral home for a cremation can be a daunting task. Death care services are highly personal, not to mention pretty expensive. Choosing the wrong funeral home can have serious consequences that the funeral planner has to live with for a while.
As you explore your options and start comparing providers you may notice that some funeral homes mention they’re members of associations and organizations. Does belonging to these groups really make a difference? And what are some legitimate associations funeral homes can belong to?
Keep reading to get answers to these questions and a few additional helpful insights!
Does a Funeral Home Need to be Part of a Professional Organization?
The short answer to this question is, no. There’s no requirement that a funeral home or its funeral director belong to any organization or association.
Of course, these kinds of credentials are a good sign that the funeral home is invested in its business, because that’s ultimately what a funeral home is – it’s a business. Belonging to professional organizations can add legitimacy, and there may even be oversight if the organization requires that businesses meet ethical standards.
However, being in professional organizations is not an indication of the quality of care or customer service that a funeral home provides. Even if the association states that it has ethical standards that doesn’t mean they are enforcing them. And some organizations accept any business that’s willing to pay the membership fee. They may even accept funeral homes that have had complaints made against them.
So, if a funeral home states that it is part of an association it’s best to follow up and learn about the standards of the organization. You may even want to verify that they are still a current and active member.
Being Licensed is What Really Matters for Funeral Homes
Belonging to professional organizations is great, but what’s actually important is that the funeral home is licensed to operate. That is an absolute necessity to legally provide funeral services.
Each state and local municipality has their own regulations for operating a funeral home, so it’s important to understand what’s required in your area. For example, in Austin, TX a crematory establishment must be licensed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission. To get a license one of the stipulations is that the owner or operator of the crematory must prove they are properly trained and certified by a professional organization that’s approved by the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
That means in Texas being part of a professional organization can be a reassuring sign if it’s one that is approved to provide certifications for licensing.
Top Associations and Professional Organizations for Funeral Homes
As the example from Texas shows, professional organizations aren’t created equal. Some are long standing associations that provide training and certifications that are aimed at improving care, while others are little more than an inactive industry group.
Some associations that many people in the funeral industry agree are legitimate and worthwhile to be a part of include:
- National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
- Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
- Green Burial Council
- Better Business Bureau
- Local Chamber of Commerce
What’s most important is finding a funeral home that offers the services you need for a fair price and is licensed to operate. If you are looking for a direct cremation provider that checks all those boxes Direct Cremate can help. Give us a call or text any time to learn more about the direct cremation process.
