Chapter 445, FUNERAL DIRECTORS

445.01 Definitions. As used in this chapter: (2) “Apprentice” means a person engaged in the learning of the practice of funeral directing under the instruction and personal supervision of a funeral director who is licensed under this chapter and whose funeral establishment is loc…

445.03 Powers of examining board. (1) The examining board shall: 445.105 445.11 445.12 445.125 445.13 445.14 445.145 445.15 445.16 Funeral establishment permits. Register; change of address. Prohibited practices. Burial agreements. Investigations; hearing; revocation of licenses.…

445.04 Funeral directors; licenses. (1) Except for conducting funeral services, the business of a funeral director must be conducted in a funeral establishment that has been issued a permit by the examining board. (2) Except as provided in s. 257.03, no person may engage in the b…

445.045 License requirements. (1) To be eligible for an original funeral director’s license, a person must meet all of the following requirements: (a) The person must be at least 18 years of age. (b) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, the person must not have an arrest …

445.06 Renewal of licenses. (1) The renewal date for a funeral director’s license is specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fee for such license is determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). (2) In order to renew a license under this chapter, the applicant …

445.07 Continuing education. (1) In order to renew a license under this chapter, an applicant shall, except as provided in sub. (2), furnish proof of having satisfied the following: (a) For the renewal of a license that expires on the first renewal date after the date on which th…

445.08 Reciprocity in issuance of licenses. Any person holding a valid license as a funeral director or embalmer in another state having requirements substantially equal to those in this state for a funeral director’s license may apply for a license to practice in this state by f…

445.09 Display of licenses. Funeral director’s licenses and certificates of apprenticeship shall be displayed conspicuously in the place of business conducted by the licensee or where the licensee or apprentice is employed. History: 1979 c. 175 s. 29; 1979 c. 221 s. 662; Stats. 1…

445.095 Apprenticeship, funeral directors. (1) (a) 1. A person desiring to become an apprentice as a funeral director and who satisfies all of the following shall apply on a form provided for the purpose and appear before the examining board or any duly appointed representative o…

445.10 Term of apprenticeship. (1) The term of an apprenticeship for a funeral director shall begin on the date of registration and shall continue for a period of not more than 4 years from the time of first registration unless an extension, not to exceed one additional year, is …

445.105 Funeral establishment permits. (1) No person may conduct, maintain, manage, or operate any funeral establishment unless the examining board has issued the person a permit for the funeral establishment and the permit is conspicuously displayed in the funeral establishment,…

445.11 Register; change of address. The examining board shall keep a register of the names and business address of all persons to whom licenses or certificate of registration are issued under this chapter, the number and date of each license or certificate, and date of renewal. T…

445.12 Prohibited practices. (1) No funeral director may embalm a dead human body when he or she has information reasonably indicating crime in connection with the cause of death, until permission of the coroner or medical examiner has first been obtained. (2) No licensed funeral…

445.125 Burial agreements. (1) BURIAL AGREEMENTS FUNDED BY TRUSTS. (a) 1. Except as provided in sub. (3m), whenever a person, referred to in this subsection as the depositor, makes an agreement with another person selling or offering for sale funeral or burial merchandise or serv…

445.13 Investigations; hearing; revocation of licenses. (1) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the examining board may make investigations, subpoena witnesses, conduct hearings, limit, suspend or revoke a license of a funeral director, a certificate of registra…

445.14 Funeral directors; who to employ. No public officer, employee or officer of any public institution, physician or surgeon shall send, or cause to be sent, to any funeral director, the corpse of any deceased person, without having first made due inquiry as to the desires of …

445.145 Printed advertising. A person may not, in any advertisement by newspaper, periodical, Internet web page, telephone book listing, direct mail, or electronic mail solicitation, represent that the person conducts the business of a funeral director or provides any funeral or …

445.15 Penalties. (1) Except as provided in sub. (1m), any person violating any provision of this chapter or any rule of the department of health services and the examining board relating to its subject matter, shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned not less than 30 days…

445.16 Exceptions. No provision of this chapter shall apply to, or in any way interfere with the duties of any officer of any public institution, nor with the duties of any officer of a medical college, county medical society, anatomical association, accredited college of embalmi…