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Recent Announcements and News

Alert

LICENSEES ARE RECEIVING SPAM EMAILS

Several of our licensed funeral homes have reported receiving an email, supposedly from this Department, that requests confirmation of licensing and contact information as shown in the email.   The email requests that the recipient confirm the information by clicking a link that is provided in the email.  The email also indicates that the license will be revoked if the recipient does not respond, using the link, within 24 hours.  Finally, to make the email look official, the state seal appears on the email.  

THESE EMAILS ARE SPAM/PHISHING ATTEMPTS AND WERE NOT SENT BY THIS DEPARTMENT!  DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK OR OTHERWISE RESPOND TO THESE EMAILS.  

The information which the sender has asked the licensees to confirm is easily obtained from public information, possibly including information that is found on our website. It has obviously been used for the purpose of creating the spam email. The Department does not send emails requesting confirmation of information in this manner. Again, these emails involve spam or phishing. 

We appreciate the licensees who brought these to our attention! Unfortunately, as we all know, spam and phishing attempts are a part of modern life that we all must deal with at some point. Although we have reported the issue to our own IT Department, the first line of defense, as always, is the recipient. Licensees who receive these emails should delete them immediately without responding or clicking any links in the emails. 

Please call our office at 1-800-323-2627 (Florida only) or 850-413-3039 if you have any questions on these issues.

Rules Committee Meeting

The Rules Committee of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services announces a public meeting on November 14, 2023, 1:00 p.m., to which all persons are invited. The meeting will take place at the Florida Department of Financial Services, Claude Denson Pepper Building, Room G-01, 111 West Madison Street in Tallahassee, FL. A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: LaTonya Bryant, at LaTonya.Bryant@myfloridacfo.com or (850)413-3039, seven (7) days before the meeting. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MEETING AGENDA AND RELATED MATERIALS

September Board Meeting Rescheduled

Due to Hurricane Idalia, the videoconference for the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services previously scheduled for September 7, 2023 has been rescheduled to Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.   The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferenceseptember; or teleconference by calling (571) 317-3112, Access Code: 871-771-957. 

BOARD OF FUNERAL, CEMETERY AND CONSUMER SERVICES 

2024 Meeting Schedule

The JANUARY PUBLIC MEETING, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on January 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferencejanuary; or by teleconference by calling (571) 317-3122, Access Code: 871-873-797.

The FEBRUARY PUBLIC MEETING, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held in Tallahassee FL (TBD) on February 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM.

The MARCH PUBLIC MEETING, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on March 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferencemarch; or by teleconference by calling (571) 317-3122, Access Code: 296-619-877.

The APRIL PUBLIC MEETING, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on April 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM.  The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferenceapril; or by teleconference by calling (872) 240-3212, Access Code: 525-590-021.

The MAY PUBLIC MEETING, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on May 2, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferencemay; or by teleconference by calling (408) 650-3123, Access Code: 525-685-221. 

The #1 JUNE PUBLIC MEETING, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held in-person (TBD) on (TBD).

The #2 JUNE PUBLIC MEETING, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on June 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferencejune; or by teleconference by calling (872) 240-3212, Access Code: 525-779-397.

Notice - 08/28/23
Regarding Tropical Storm Idalia and Hurricane Preparations for Future Storms

Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to become a major hurricane prior to making landfall along the Florida Big Bend or Nature Coast of Florida.  As often happens with hurricanes, many Florida counties will be impacted with wind and/or flooding issues.  In anticipation of inclement weather resulting from this or future storms, we want to remind our licensees of the following.  This information is also being directly provided by email to our licensed establishments in the counties which are anticipated to be impacted.

1. Hurricane preparation and aftermath information

State, county, and city governments provide a lot of information on preparing for natural disasters, including hurricanes.  One great resource is found at the Department of Financial Services’ website at:  https://myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/storm/.  You may also wish to visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/ for more information regarding general hurricane preparedness, including emergency planning for businesses at https://www.floridadisaster.org/business/planning-for-businesses/.  These sites also provide helpful information on filing claims and other issues that may arise after a storm.

2. Power outages

If you have a refrigeration unit, and your facility or unit is damaged or otherwise inoperable due to a hurricane or other natural disaster, please consider the following options:

  • Contact another local funeral establishment (or other licensed establishment that has a refrigeration unit) to see if it might have space available; or
  • Contact your local county emergency management.  Your county emergency management will coordinate with the state’s emergency management team or others as may be necessary to assist you.  Contact information for the Emergency Management team in each county is found at:  www.floridadisaster.org/counties.

3. E-filing of Death Certificate Notices

At this time, the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) is not expected to be impacted by the storm.  We recognize, however, that your accessibility to the system may be limited due to power outages in your own areas.  The Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Vital Statistics has advised that licensees should print several blank copies of its death certificate form (DH512), fetal death form (DH428), and burial transit permit (DH326) in preparation for possible power outages and downtime.  If EDRS is not accessible for an extended period of time but power is available, then the aforementioned forms are available as an enterable pdf and may be used to complete the death record.  Please print the forms double-sided on legal sized (8 ½ x 14) paper. Once completed and signed, you may file the paper form at the local county vital statistics office for registration.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics Helpdesk (1-866-295-5902) has also advised that it is available: M - F 8am - 6pm, and Sat 9am - 2pm ET. Their Quality Assurance unit is also available at 904-359-6900 ext. 9020 and you may reach Ken Jones at 904-359-6900 ext. 1001.

4. Hurricane Follow-up

Following a hurricane, Division staff will be calling the licensed establishments in the impacted areas to obtain information on any power outage issues, building damages, etc., and determine if there are any needs with which we can assist.  If your establishment has refrigeration/storage space available at that time, please let our staff know so that they can share that information with other licensees in the area who may need that type of assistance.

5. Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services’ Offices

Office closures during the week will depend upon the path, duration, and impact of the storm.  If you have attempted to reach the Division at its main line (850-413-3039 or toll free in Florida at 1-800-323-2627) without success, please leave a message.  Division staff will return your call as soon as possible following the storm.

New Features for License Renewal/Continuing Education System

The Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services has updated and improved security features on its online system for License Renewal and Continuing Education.  As a reminder, the System requires that a password be reset every 60 days and will prompt licensees when it is time to change a password.  A two-factor authentication has now been implemented to allow licensees the ability to change their username and/or password directly online.  This is particularly helpful in situations where the licensee has forgotten one or both of these important requirements for accessing the system.  Licensees will be able to self-help to change this information, without needing to call the Division for assistance on these matters.
 

The License Renewal/Continuing Education System is found through the Division’s website at:  https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/funeralcemetery/licensing/online-licensing-and-continuing-education-system. Licensees must use ALL CAPS when entering usernames. When logging in to the System, a licensee who needs assistance in resetting a username or password can click on “Forgot Username?” or “Forgot Password?” in the highlighted login screen.  The following is the resulting procedure when clicking one of these options.

  •  “Forgot Username?”:  The licensee will be prompted to fill in security questions.  If the responses to the security questions match information provided by the licensee as found in the Division’s records, the licensee will be emailed a confirmation message containing the appropriate username.  The email is sent to the licensee’s registered email address which is found in the Division’s records.
  • “Forgot Password?”:  The licensee will be prompted to verify the appropriate username and registered email address.  The licensee will be sent an email with a verification code and asked to enter that code.  Once the code is verified, the licensee can reset and confirm a new password. 
The Division hopes that these security improvements will provide licensees with more flexibility in accessing the License Renewal/Continuing Education System, especially during the upcoming license renewal periods.  For more information on license renewals or continuing education, please see the Division’s website at:  https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/funeralcemetery/licensing.
 
As always, licensees who have continued problems accessing the License Renewal/Continuing Education System should call the Division at 800/323-2627 (within Florida) or 850/413-3039.

2023 Meeting Schedule: July to December

The JULY PUBLIC MEETING of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held in TAMPA FL (FCCFA Annual Conference, Tampa Marriott Water Street, 505 Water Street) on July 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM.

The AUGUST PUBLIC MEETING of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on August 3, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferenceaugust; or by teleconference by calling (872) 240-3412, Access Code: 236-680-349.

The SEPTEMBER PUBLIC MEETING of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on September 7, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferenceseptember; or by teleconference by calling (571) 317-3112, Access Code: 871-771-957

The OCTOBER PUBLIC MEETING of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services will be held IN-PERSON (World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort, 500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine FL) on October 12, 2023, at 10:00 AM.

The NOVEMBER PUBLIC MEETING of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on November 2, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferencenovember; or by teleconference by calling (571) 317-3112, Access Code: 238-487-589.

The DECEMBER PUBLIC MEETING of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services will be held via VIDEOCONFERENCE on December 7, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/boardvideoconferencedecember; or by teleconference by calling (571) 317-3122, Access Code: 871-959-717.

Using EDRS to Satisfy Portions of
Bodies Handled Report Requirements

Effective October 1, 2021, many Funeral Establishments and Direct Disposal Establishments may use EDRS to satisfy the majority of the Bodies Handled Report requirements found in section 497.382, Florida Statutes, and Rule 69K-20.001, Florida Statutes. Full directions for using EDRS for this purpose are available in this document: Directions for EDRS re Bodies Handled Reporting 9-27-21. The Department of Health has also provided guidelines to give our licensees additional assistance on using the EDRS Reports Tab: Reports Tab - Guidelines.

These new functions to EDRS are the result of a complex joint project with the Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, and our Division. We are very pleased to be able to offer Florida’s Funeral Establishments and Direct Disposal Establishments the additional options for completing their monthly Bodies Handled Report requirements.

Please contact our Division at 1-800-323-2627 for questions relating to the Bodies Handled Reports or the Florida Department of Health Vitals Statistics Helpdesk at 1-866-295-5902 for questions concerning EDRS.

Continuing Education Credit Available for Videoconferences

We are excited to announce that we have developed a process for our licensees to obtain CEU credits for attending our Videoconferences. In order to receive credit, licensees must provide their name, license number, meeting date, email address and the phone number you connected to the meeting with. This is very important, as the phone number (or email address if you connected via the web) will be used to confirm your attendance and the length of time you were on the call. Please email ALL of the requested information to LaTonya.Bryant@myfloridacfo.com.

Fingerprinting Procedures

The Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services will no longer be providing or accepting fingerprint cards. If there is not a LiveScan location available in your area, please contact IdentoGO By MorphoTrust USA regarding fingerprinting procedures and to obtain fingerprint cards. Please see the  IdentoGO web site for further instructions.

Continuing Education Providers – Course Rosters

The Division uses the DICE electronic data tracking system to manage continuing education data. This system has been enhanced to allow course providers to enter course completion information directly into DICE, from course rosters, by using the attendee’s social security number or FCCS license number