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FAQs
Q. How do I get an extension for filing my Endowment Care Fund and Special Care Fund Report?
A. Requests for an extension must be in writing and must be received by the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (Bureau) or post-marked by the final date that the Annual Reports are due. The Bureau can grant an extension of up to 30 days.
Q: When can a funeral establishment file a Declaration of Non-Reporting Status (DNR)?
A: DNRs may be filed by a funeral establishment that does not have reportable pre-need arrangements. Non-reportable pre-need funeral arrangements generally occur where:
- the funeral establishment does not have trust funds or have any pre-need sales of funeral services or merchandise; or
- The funeral establishment's client directly deposits his or her own money in a bank or savings institution trust account and is the trustee of the money. The client retains the exclusive power to hold, manage, pledge, and invest the funds in that account. The funeral establishment does not receive any money directly or indirectly from the client for deposit into the savings account; or
- There is no delivery whatsoever to the funeral establishment of money to pay for the services or merchandise, until such services or merchandise have been provided. Thus, if a consumer purchases insurance for pre-need services and/or merchandise and makes payments directly to the insurance company, this arrangement is exempt. Similarly, if the consumer purchase is made through a trust company, with deposits made directly to the trust company, this arrangement is also exempt.
It should be noted that funeral establishments with pre-need funeral trust funds must file annual reports on these trust funds with the Bureau.
Who Has the Right to Make Decisions?
The California Health and Safety Code, Section 7100 identifies who has the right to make decisions about disposition arrangements after an individual's death if no directions are left. Family Code Sections 297 and 297.5 were added January 1, 2005 to include registered domestic partners to the following list of individuals. The responsibility for making decisions devolves in the following order: agent under a power of attorney for health care, spouse or registered domestic partner, adult children, parents, adult siblings and other competent adult kin. NOTE: Exceptions may apply in certain situations. You may wish to consult with an attorney.
Always check the license status of the funeral director, funeral establishment, crematory, and private cemetery that you plan to do business with by calling the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau at (916) 574-7870 or the Consumer Information Center at 1-800-952-5210. NOTE: The state licenses and regulates fraternal and private cemeteries only. It has no jurisdiction over cemeteries operated by religious organizations, cities, counties, or cemetery districts; the military; Native American tribal organizations; or other groups. If you do not know who regulates the cemetery you are interested in ask the cemetery manager.
The Law Requires:
- Funeral establishments to quote prices over the telephone.
- Funeral establishments to provide you with a general price list (GPL) and a casket price list (CPL) when you inquire in person.
- Funeral establishments to give you an itemized statement that should include only those items you have selected when you contract for services. Another option is a funeral package. The funeral package statement should describe and include all goods and services. Get a total dollar amount in writing BEFORE you sign the contract.
The Law Allows:
- Funeral establishments to set a non-declinable fee for professional services which may include:
- The funeral director's time spent helping you plan the funeral;
- Making arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or another funeral establishment if the body will be shipped out of the area (cemetery, crematory, or other funeral establishment fees are separate and in addition to); and
- Gathering the information for the death certificate, other required permits, and submitting the obituary (filing fees are charged separately and in addition to); and
- Unallocated overhead, which includes taxes, insurance, advertising, and other business expenses.
The Law Does Not Allow:
- Funeral establishments to charge a handling fee if you wish to use a family built casket or purchase one elsewhere; however the casket must meet the cemetery's standards.
- Funeral establishment staff to make false claims about the preservative qualities of a casket or to charge contagious disease fees or fees for protective clothing.
Consumer Guide Available:
For additional information to aid you in making arrangements, especially advance arrangements for a loved one or yourself, click on the following link for the Consumer Guide to Funeral & Cemetery Purchases or call 1-800-952-5210 for a free printed copy. This booklet will tell you how to compare prices and services, prearrangement and prepayment options, burial, cremation, Consumer, Government, and Industry organizations, and what to do under special circumstances.
Q: How can I file a complaint with the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau?
A: The Bureau may be contacted by fax, e-mail, or mail.
Fax: General - (916) 928-7988
E-Mail: emailCFB@dca.ca.gov
USPS Mail: 1625 North Market Boulevard, Ste. S-208, Sacramento, CA 95834
Q: I've received a solicitation in the mail/telephone call regarding prepaying my funeral expenses. How do I know this business is legitimate?
A: You can verify that a funeral establishment is licensed to do business in California by verifying licensure on the web site for the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau www.cfb.ca.gov or by calling the Bureau directly at (916) 574-7870.
Q: I'm doing some family genealogy and I need to get a copy of a death certificate. Can you help me?
A: The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau does not issue death certificates. That is done by the Department of Health Services, and you can find the necessary information on how to request a death certificate, along with the applicable fees, by visiting their web site www.dhs.ca.gov.
- What documents must contain the funeral establishment license number?
- I have unclaimed cremated remains at my funeral establishment, what should I do?
- Posting Licenses & Certificates
- Must the information on the Casket Price List and the casket price tags be the same?
- When is an Approval to Share required?
- Who Has the Right to Make Decisions?
Q. Do I have to be licensed or registered?
A. For a Cremated Remains Disposer you are required to be registered if you scatter more then 10 human remains per year.
For a Crematory or a Cemetery, you are required to be licensed by our Bureau if you are NOT a religious corporation, a public cemetery or any private or fraternal burial park not exceeding 10 acres in area.
Q: How do I receive a duplicate license?
A: For a duplicate of an original wall license (8½" X 11"), please submit a written request with the following: the name of the licensee or the establishment, the license number and appropriate fee to: Cemetery & Funeral Bureau, P.O. Box 989003, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9003. The fee amount for a duplicate Cemetery License is $25.00 and for a duplicate Funeral License is $40.00.
For a duplicate of a renewal license, please submit a written request with the following: the name of the licensee or the establishment, the license number and appropriate fee to: Cemetery & Funeral Bureau, P.O. Box 989003, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9003. A fee for a renewal Cemetery License is $25.00 and for a renewal Funeral Licensee/Establishment License is $40.00.
Q: How do I change my name on a personal license?
A: Submit a written request to: Cemetery & Funeral Bureau at 1625 North Market Blvd. Suite S-208, Sacramento, CA 95834. Please include the following: licensee name, license number and supporting document showing proof of a name change (i.e. marriage license, government issued identification card, divorce decree, etc.) For a duplicate personal license reflecting the new name, please submit the appropriate fee for a duplicate license.
Q: How do I change my address on a personal license, i.e. funeral director etc.?
A: Submit a written request to Cemetery & Funeral Bureau at 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-208, Sacramento, CA 95834. Please include the following: licensee name, license number, the new address and contact phone number. This request may also be made by faxing at (916) 928-7988.
Q: I did not receive my renewal notice. How do I renew my license?
A: To renew a license, please submit a written request and include the following: license name, license number and appropriate renewal fee to Cemetery & Funeral Bureau at P.O. Box 989003, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9003.
**Whenever possible, please submit original renewal notice with envelope provided.
Q: How much are the license renewal fees?
A: Certificate of Authority (COA) - $400.00
Crematory (CR) - $400.00
Cemetery Manager (CEM) - $80.00
Crematory Manager (CRM) - $80.00
Cemetery Broker (CEB) - $300.00
Cemetery Broker Additional (CBA) - $100.00
Cemetery Salesperson (CES) - $25.00
Cremated Remains Disposer (CRD) - $50.00
Funeral Establishment (FD) - $400.00
Funeral Director (FDR) - $200.00
Embalmer (EMB) - $100.00
If your license has expired, it will be necessary to pay a delinquent fee. Please contact the Bureau for appropriate delinquent fee.
**Please send ALL license renewals to:
Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
P.O. Box 989003
Sacramento, CA 95798-9003
Q: How long will it take before I receive my renewal?
A: Please allow 2-3 weeks for receipt of renewal license.
Q: How do I appeal the denial of my application?
A: You have the right in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code to request a Statement of Issues and an administrative hearing. At such hearing you may, but need not, be represented by counsel and may subpoena witnesses. To schedule a hearing, you must file a written request within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt of this letter. The written request should be directed to: Enforcement Unit, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-208, Sacramento, CA 95834. Upon receipt of your request for a hearing, a Statement of Issues will be prepared by the Office of the Attorney General and filed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Office of the Attorney General will notify you of the date in which your case has been scheduled for an administrative hearing. If we do not hear from you within sixty (60) calendar days, your right to a hearing is deemed waived.
If you decide not to request a hearing you may reapply for a license one (1) year from the date of this denial. You must submit a completed application, appropriate fees and all competent evidence of rehabilitation. Criteria for rehabilitation, pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Section 2331 for Cemetery Licenses and California Code of Regulations, Section 1253 for Funeral Licenses is available under our link to Laws and Regulations.
Q: I haven't paid my renewal in a while, how much is it?
A: An embalmer, funeral director, cemetery manager, crematory manager license can be delinquent up to 5 years. If it is longer, then the licensee will have to re-take the licensing exam. Refer to licensing for accrued fees.
Q: I did not receive my renewal notice. How do I renew my license?
A:To renew a license, please submit a written request and include the following: license name, license number and appropriate renewal fee.
Q: How long will it take to receive my license?
A: Please allow 2 weeks from the date the fee is cashiered.
Q: Can I place my license on hold or inactive status?
A: No
Q: How long will it take before I receive my renewal?
A: Please allow 2 weeks for receipt of renewal license.
Q: I Live Scanned for another agency, do I need to redo my Live Scan for CFB?
A: Yes. The information from your Live Scan is electronically transmitted to the requesting agency only.
Q: How long is an apprenticeship?
A: You must work a total of 24 months during which time embalm or assist with the embalming of 100 human remains.
Q: Where can I go to school to receive a Mortuary Science Degree?
A: There are two colleges in California:
- American River College in Sacramento
(916) 484-8350
www.arc.losrios.edu - Cypress College in Orange County
(714) 484-7278
www.cypresscollege.edu
Q: Can an out of state education be accepted by the Bureau?
A: The school must be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Science education. A list is of accredited schools is available on the web site: www.abfse.org/html/dir-ca.html
Q: How long before I receive my score from the exam?
A: Because the examination is computer based, results are available immediately upon completion of exam.
Q: Do I have to have a mortuary science degree to become a Funeral Director?
A: The educational requirement for a Funeral Director is an Associate of Arts degree or higher (60 units) from an accredited college/colleges, (the education can be in any subject).
Q: There are two fees on the Funeral Director application; do I need to submit both?
A: The $100.00 fee is the examination fee; it must be submitted with the application to take the exam. The licensing fee of $200.00 can be paid prior to the exam or after passing the exam.
