My Two Cents

• Funeral Home Payment Policy article

  Last Updated On: Mar 27, 2017  |  Originally Published On:  Mar 27, 2017
  The March 2017 edition of the American Funeral Director has an article that can be found on page 14 that deals with what can happen when funeral homes have a poor payment policy.  There is a section regarding the forms of acceptable payment can be accepted as well as a suggestion on how to approach the subject of payment when meeting with families during the at-need arrangement conference.
  
  I hope you will find the article helpful.

• Informative Articles on Embalming

  Last Updated On: Mar 27, 2017  |  Originally Published On:  Mar 27, 2017
  The March 2017 edition of the American Funeral Director magazine has some informative articles on embalming that I think licensed embalmers will find useful and interesting.  Those articles include Embalming Tips containing tips from a number of embalmers with many years of experience to rely on.  Another is an article titled One Point by Lance Ray.

• Productivity--Another Good Read

  Last Updated On: Aug 10, 2016  |  Originally Published On:  Aug 10, 2016
  Again, in the July 2016 edition of Mortuary Management is another good read titled: "Remain Productive Despite the Circumstances" written by Kim Stacey in her Commentary column.  In this multi-tasking world we live in, I found some of Ms. Stacey's suggestions to be helpful and hope you will also.

• A Good Read on: Examining the Cremation Authorization

  Last Updated On: Aug 10, 2016  |  Originally Published On:  Aug 10, 2016
  The July 2016 edition of Mortuary Management has a good article titled: "Examining the Cremation Authorization" written by Mark T. Evely in his Legally Speaking column.

• KPERS Revises Death Benefit Flyer and Funeral Establishment Policy

  Last Updated On: May 26, 2016  |  Originally Published On:  May 26, 2016
  Effective May 2016, the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) has updated the following two forms:
  
  Funeral Planning Flyer
  
  Funeral Establishment Designation or Assignment Policy
  
  The following is the link to the KPERS web site.
  
  I hope this information is helpful to you!
  
  

• Crematory Operator Licensure Information

  Last Updated On: May 26, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  May 26, 2015
  Effective 12/1/2011, all cremations performed in the State of Kansas must be performed by Kansas licensed crematory operators. A list of all licensed crematory operators can be found at the Crematories By City page.

• Funeral Ethics Organization Information Guide

  Last Updated On: May 26, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  May 26, 2015
  The Funeral Ethics Organization has an information guide, Your Funeral Consumer Rights in Kansas.

• Refusing Service

  Last Updated On: May 21, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  May 14, 2015
  A question that we get in the office from time to time deals with refusing service.  The Mortuary Management's News Updates for the week of October 22, 2013 has an excellent article written by Douglas O. Meyer about Refusing Service that answers quite a few things that I think you'll find useful.
  

• Cremation Association of North America Annual Statistics

  Last Updated On: May 21, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  May 14, 2015
  The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) reveals their Annual Statistics in their magazine, The Cremationist of North America, Vol. 50, No. 4.  A good read that also includes "Farewell from the General Counsel" by Attorney Chris Farmer.
  

• Returning a Medical Device

  Last Updated On: Mar 18, 2016  |  Originally Published On:  May 05, 2015
  A reminder that if your funeral home wishes to return a medical device following authorization by the legal next-of-kin of the deceased, the number to call for Medtronic Neurological in Shawnee Mission, Kansas is (913) 469-8555.  They will send funeral homes the proper mailing package upon request.  Another option is Alternative Solutions USA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit implant recycling program.  Contact information is located on their web site.
  
  Based on information provided by licensees, Medtronic has been great to work with.

• Reminders!

  Last Updated On: May 21, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  May 05, 2015
  Please remember your renewal is not complete until all required paperwork has been received by the KSBMA office.  This also applies when paying on-line.  Licensees with continuing education due must submit that paperwork.  Funeral homes must submit prefinanced funeral agreements.
  

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  Please contact us if you find any out-dated information or if links aren't working the way they should!  We do our best to keep everything up to date, but your help and ideas are always appreciated!

• KSBMA License Fees

  Last Updated On: Aug 10, 2016  |  Originally Published On:  May 05, 2015
  KSBMA License Fees  -  Our license fees will remain the same for the two year biennial licensing period of January 1, 2016 until December 31, 2017.  This will mean that fees will have remained the same for twelve (12) consecutive years, six (6) biennial licensure periods.  As always, we do our best to not increase fees unless we absolutely have to.

• Nice Article

  Last Updated On: May 21, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  May 05, 2015
  There is a nice article in the February 2015 edition of the American Funeral Director magazine (begins on page 16) regarding Alternative Solutions USA, the first 501(c)(3) non-profit implant recycling program.

• House Bill 2083

  Last Updated On: May 21, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  Feb 05, 2015
  House Bill 2083  Was introduced by the KSBMA and will require funeral homes that close to notify families with prefinanced funeral agreements of their closing. The bill passed the House, 117-1 and passed the Senate, 38-0.  Governor Brownback approved the bill on 3/28/2011.  The bill became law on July 1, 2011.

• Updated Statistics

  Last Updated On: Nov 25, 2016  |  Originally Published On:  Feb 05, 2015
  I've updated statistics provided by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB) to the KSBMA's Newsletter (now known as Licensee Information).  Stats (and you know how much I enjoy stats) are from the National Board Examination (NBE). To view the statistics, select this link.
  

• Screening protocols for Human Remains (HR) shipments

  Last Updated On: May 21, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  Feb 05, 2015
  On August 1, 2010 the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that the 100% air cargo screening protocols for Human Remains (HR) shipments become effective.  The screening for human remains shipped by passenger airliners in the USA went into effect in February 2009 at the 50% level.  There are several web sites available with useful information that you may want to look at, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and American Airlines (AA) Cargo.   TSA will require 100% screening of international air cargo headed to the United States by December 31, 2011.

• Embalming Reports

  Last Updated On: Nov 02, 2016  |  Originally Published On:  Feb 05, 2015
  I know you've heard this from me in the past, but everyone should be using them--for a number of reasons!  Kansas law doesn't require them, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be using them.  It helps if a family asks questions after disposition or if remains are shipped via public transportation, and you are unable to recall the condition of the deceased prior to embalming, type/amount of fluid used . . .  An example of a report that I discovered searching the internet is:    Example  .   I suggest you contact your fluid salesperson or do some searching yourself for the one that fits your needs--or even put one together yourself, but require a signature, date and time.

• Adobe Acrobat Reader

  Last Updated On: May 21, 2015  |  Originally Published On:  Feb 05, 2015
  PLEASE NOTE that some of the information on our web site is in pdf/Adobe Acrobat Reader format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader already installed on your computer, please visit their site to download it.