Standards of Practice, Conduct, and Professional Responsibility
The service relationship
Michigan expects funeral providers to deal honestly and in writing. The federal FTC Funeral Rule requires an itemized general price list, casket price list, and an itemized statement of goods and services selected. Michigan law adds occupational duties: truthful advertising, competent handling and identification of remains, proper authorization before embalming or cremation, sanitation, confidentiality, and accurate records. Preneed funeral contracts are regulated separately; prepaid funds must be held or secured as required, not spent as general operating cash.
Conduct rules
- Do not misrepresent prices, services, or legal requirements.
- Obtain and document family authorization for embalming, cremation, and disposition.
- Maintain custody, identification, and refrigeration of remains.
- Keep itemized contracts, authorizations, and financial records available for inspection.
- Avoid conflicts of interest and improper inducements.
- Supervise unlicensed staff so they do not perform licensed functions.
Worked example
A director advertises an “all-inclusive cremation” for one price, then adds a handling fee, a container fee, and a paperwork fee at the arrangement conference. The advertisement is misleading, and the family is entitled to an itemized statement that reflects actual charges. The director must correct the pricing presentation and may face discipline for deceptive conduct.
Traps that cost marks
Do not assume the FTC Funeral Rule is only for large firms; it applies to funeral providers covered by the rule. Do not treat a signed contract as permission to embalm without separate authorization where authorization is required. Do not commingle preneed trust funds with operating funds. Do not let unlicensed staff give funeral-direction advice or sign arrangements.