Mass-fatality Management Planning and Response

NFDA Position: NFDA will continue its active involvement with the administration, relevant federal agencies, private organizations and state government and agencies when appropriate to ensure that the role of funeral service in any mass-fatality disaster is clearly defined and adequately reflected in their policies.

Background: NFDA has been at the forefront of advocating that the federal government recognize the importance of funeral service and a national policy for the orderly recovery, identification, processing and the conduct of funeral services and final dispositions for those who died from and during a mass‑fatality event.

Improve Funeral and Burial Benefits for Veterans and their Families

NFDA Position: NFDA will initiate and support legislation, rules and regulations that improve funeral and burial benefits for veterans and their families and will continue to work with Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, individual service branches, veterans service organizations and other interested parties to improve funeral and burial benefits available to veterans and their families.

Background: Currently, there are numerous funeral and burial benefits available to veterans and their families including burial in national cemeteries, headstones and markers, memorial plots, presidential certificates, burial flags, reimbursement of burial expenses, life insurance and other related benefits.

Small Business

NFDA Position: NFDA will initiate, support and/or advocate for legislation, rules and regulations that recognize the unique needs of small and family-owned businesses.

Background: Funeral directors are the typical small business; they are community-rooted and provide a valuable and necessary service to their neighbors. As a result, it is vital that NFDA remain active and involved in supporting and advocating for all bills, rules and regulations that benefit small businesses and oppose those that do not.

Environmental Health & Safety

NFDA Position: NFDA will initiate, support and/or advocate for legislation, rules and regulations that address environmental health and safety issues related to funeral directors, the operation of funeral homes and crematories, and the disposition of human remains.

Background: Funeral homes are subject to environmental requirements regulating (1) the discharge of funeral home wastewater to municipal treatment works and septic systems; (2) crematory emissions, particularly mercury, and the siting and permitting of crematories; (3) the appropriate handling, disposal and recycling of waste, including medical waste; and (4) the potential toxicity and adverse impact of such discharges and releases on the environment and public health. Funeral homes also are subject to OSHA requirements, including hazard communication.

Critical Issues NFDA Is Working On

Legislative Issues

• Consensual Donation & Research Integrity Act.
• Health Savings Accounts & Funeral Expenses.

Regulatory Issues

• FTC Review of the Funeral Rule.
• EPA Review of Formaldehyde.

There’s so much more we’re working on. Have questions? Contact our Senior Vice President, Advocacy, Lesley Witter at lwitter@nfda.org.