21 NCAC 34B .0126          EMBALMING, FUNERAL DIRECTING, AND FUNERAL SERVICE TRAINING

(a)  To fulfill the requirements that funeral director and funeral service trainees shall substantially assist in directing at least 25 funerals during their resident traineeship, such trainees shall, under supervision, assist in all of the components of "funeral directing," as defined in G.S. 90-210.20(12). To achieve this end such trainees shall substantially assist in at least 25 cases involving activities of arranging (whether performed at time of need or by assisting in preneed funeral planning activities or a combination) and at least 25 cases involving activities pertaining to the funeral ceremony and disposition of the body. To fulfill the requirements that embalming and funeral service trainees shall substantially assist in embalming at least 25 bodies during their resident traineeship, such trainees shall, under supervision, substantially assist in all of the components of "embalming," as defined in G.S. 90-210.20(9).

(b)  For purposes of this Rule, activities of arranging are defined as the following tasks:

(1)           At-need or preneed arranging, including preparing all documents and records;

(2)           Imminent or pending death (hospice) arranging;

(3)           Observe sale of funeral service;

(4)           Prepare death notices or obituaries;

(5)           Ship-in or ship-out arrangements;

(6)           Prepare death certificates;

(7)           Secure permits, prepare VA or social security forms;

(8)           Witness or arrange cremation services;

(9)           Complete cremation authorization forms;

(10)         Identify authorizing agent or next-of-kin; and

(11)         Evaluate cases for medical examiner jurisdiction.

(c)  For purposes of this Rule, activities of funeral ceremony and disposition of the body are defined as the following task:

(1)           Assist with funeral, memorial, interment, or committal ceremonies for casketed remains;

(2)           Assist with funeral, memorial, interment, or committal ceremonies for cremated remains;

(3)           Receive visitors at viewing or funeral service;

(4)           Funeral procession and arrangement; and

(5)           Transport survivors and clergy.

(d)  For purposes of this Rule, embalming components are defined as the following tasks:

(1)           Setting features;

(2)           Mixing fluids;

(3)           Raising vessels and inserting tubes;

(4)           Injecting fluids;

(5)           Suturing incisions;

(6)           Cavity treatment;

(7)           Removal and disinfecting of body;

(8)           Positioning of body;

(9)           Restorative art treatment including hypodermic treatment;

(10)         Preparation of autopsied body including treatment of viscera;

(11)         Treatment of remains following organ or tissue donation;

(12)         Application of cosmetics;

(13)         Dressing and casketing;

(14)         Cleaning and disinfection of preparation room; and

(15)         Handling or disposing of biomedical waste.

(e)  For purposes of this Rule and G.S. 90-210.25(a)(4)(f), to "substantially assist" shall mean to assist in a way that materially affects the outcome of the work performed.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-210.20(f); 90-210.23(a), (d), (f); 90-210.25(a)(4); 90-210.67(a); 90-210.69(a);

Eff. June 1, 1994;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. August 19, 2017;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2026.