Tennessee funeral board approves penalties, refers crematory safety concern to TDEC

The Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers met March 10 and approved a series of legal recommendations stemming from routine inspections, including civil penalties and referrals, while asking staff to verify corrective actions on several cases.

During the legal report, counsel (Mr. Bridal) told the board that one establishment permitted its manager’s funeral director license to lapse and used an unapproved Georgia cremation authorization form for Tennessee decedents; counsel recommended a $3,000 civil penalty via consent order and the board voted to accept the recommendation. Counsel said related complaints involving the same manager produced additional recommended penalties of $2,000 and $500 respectively, all of which the board approved.

The board approved counsel’s recommendation to assess a $2,000 civil penalty and to refer a separate complaint to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation after an inspection found large volumes of smoke from a crematory retort and an expired air‑pollution operating permit. Board members asked that the department inspect the retort and that the board’s inspector reinspect the facility after TDEC’s review to confirm repairs and permit status.

Counsel also presented…