Licenses

Licenses

Explain the two classes of license to act as a funeral director: one authorizing the performing of embalming and the other not authorizing the performing of embalming. RRO 1990, Reg. 470, s2. Why is that? Is the latter considered as a 'second class' license?

There are two classes of licenses. Someone may chose one license over the other for personal, religious or cultural reasons. The following are examples that may help to illustrate the need for two licenses.

• Some religions and cultures forbid embalming. Someone choosing a career path that would involve primarily such groups may not have need for embalming skills;
• If an individual's faith or personal beliefs forbid embalming, they should not be required to learn the skills and techniques required to embalm a dead human body, nor should they be required to perform such procedures.

For more information about multicultural funeral customs, contact your local funeral home or the Ontario Funeral Service Association for a copy of their brochure, Multicultural Funeral Practices. Joseph Richer, Registrar, Board of Funeral Services, Toronto