Tennessee funeral board increases fines, refers repeated unlicensed cases to district attorneys

The Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers on Jan. 14 accepted a series of legal recommendations resolving multiple complaints arising from expired licenses, unlicensed practice and disputed preneed arrangements, and voted to refer numerous recurring unlicensed-activity complaints to local district attorneys.

The board’s legal report reviewed more than a dozen cases opened after routine inspections from September and October 2024. Several matters involved funeral establishments or employees who permitted license renewals to lapse and continued to provide services during the unlicensed period. Legal staff recommended different remedies based on the facts in each file, including letters of warning, letters of instruction, civil penalties and, in repeated unlicensed-activity matters, referral for criminal prosecution.

Why it matters: Board members said lapsed licenses are a recurring enforcement burden and discussed raising penalties to deter repeat behavior. Board action on multiple individual complaints produced fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 and a formal referral to prosecutors in several jurisdictions for a former licensee accused of repeated unlicensed practice.

Most important actions and context

- Pattern of lapsed licenses: Legal staff said inspections showed employees or managers with licenses expired on June 30, 2024, and in some cases employees continued to sign contracts or meet with families before renewing. For cases where the evidence showed the individual signed…