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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 4717-7 | Requirements for Licenses

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 4717-7-01 | Fixed place or location and general requirements for licensure of funeral homes and embalming facilities.
 

(A) The business and practice of funeral directing and embalming shall be conducted from a fixed place or location which is licensed by the board.

(B) Each funeral service, shipping service, direct disposition service, or any service which prepares dead human bodies for final disposition, must be licensed as a funeral home. Nothing herein contained shall be construed or interpreted to prohibit the practice of funeral directing by more than one licensed funeral firm from the same funeral home. Funeral directors leasing space in a duly licensed funeral home, but doing funeral service as a separate business, are engaged in operation of a separate and distinct funeral home and therefore are required to obtain a separate funeral home license.

(C) Mortuary science schools and trade embalmers shall be exempt from the funeral home licensing law and the embalming facility law when doing embalming by contract for a duly licensed funeral home.

Last updated October 2, 2023 at 12:12 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4717.04
Amplifies: 4717.06
Five Year Review Date: 5/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 4/10/2011
Rule 4717-7-02 | Requirements for funeral home licensure.
 

(A) At least sixty days prior to the opening for business of any funeral home, thereof, the funeral director, who will be actually in charge thereof, shall notify the board of such anticipated opening and shall submit an application for funeral home license sworn by the applicant and accompanied by the applicable fee.

(B) The board shall approve the application for funeral home license, if appropriate, contingent upon the receipt of an occupancy permit and inspection.

(C) A license shall not be issued to a funeral home until the following management requirements are met:

(1) A funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home is identified;

(2) The holder of a funeral home license shall submit to the board written notification, within ten days of any termination of the funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home. Except in extenuating circumstances, and with approval of the board, no funeral home is to operate without a funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home for more than thirty days after the written notification is filed with the board. A change of the funeral director actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home requires a new license under division (A)(2) of section 4717.11 of the Revised Code. The funeral director who will be the actually in charge and ultimately responsible of the funeral home license after the change shall apply for a new funeral home license on an application form prescribed by the board within thirty days of filing the written notification with the board. Any funeral home that fails to comply with this rule shall cease operations.

(D) A license shall not be issued to a funeral home until the funeral home meets the following requirements:

(1) Every funeral home shall possess and keep in good working condition on the premises such equipment and paraphernalia as the board deems adequate for the conduct of business and the protection of the public health. All portions of a funeral home which are accessible to or used by the general public shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

(2) If embalming will take place at the funeral home, the funeral home shall maintain on the premises a preparation or embalming room which shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner for the preservation and care of dead human bodies. Such rooms shall contain only the articles, facilities and instruments necessary for the preparation of dead human bodies for burial or final disposition and shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Such rooms shall be used only for the care and preparation of dead human bodies. The minimal requirements for the preparation or embalming room shall be as follows:

(a) Sanitary floor;

(b) All instruments and appliances used in the embalming of a dead human body shall be thoroughly cleansed and sterilized using an appropriate disinfectant immediately at the conclusion of each individual case;

(c) Running hot and cold water with a sink for personal hygiene;

(d) Exhaust fan and intake vent, permanently installed and operable with the capacity to change the air in the room at least fifteen times each hour;

(e) Sanitary plumbing connected with sewer, cesspool, septic tank, or other department of health approved system;

(f) Porcelain, stainless steel; metal-lined or fiberglass operating table;

(g) All opening windows and outside doors shall be adequately screened and shielded from outside viewing;

(h) All hydro-aspirators or electric aspirators shall be equipped with at least one air breaker;

(i) Containers for refuse, trash and soiled linens shall be adequately covered or sealed at all times;

(j) First-aid kit and eyewash;

(k) The embalming or preparation room shall be strictly private. A "private" sign shall be posted on the door(s) entering the preparation room. No one shall be allowed therein while the body is being embalmed except the embalmers, funeral directors, apprentices, officials in discharge of their duties, and other authorized persons;

(l) All waste materials, refuse, used bandages and cotton shall be destroyed in accordance with all applicable OSHA and EPA regulations;

(m) Every person, while engaged in actually embalming a dead human body, shall be attired in a clean and sanitary smock or gown covering the person from the neck to below the knees, shall wear impervious rubber gloves, and shall wear any and all items required under any applicable OSHA regulations;

(n) All bodies in the preparation room shall be treated with proper care and dignity and shall be properly covered at all times;

(o) Ingress and egress of the preparation room shall be situated so that functions in the funeral home will not impede or interfere with entering or exiting said room; and

(p) Sufficient emergency lighting.

(3) If embalming will not take place at the funeral home, the funeral home shall maintain on the premises a holding room which shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner for the holding of dead human bodies. Such holding room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner and used only for the holding and storage of dead human bodies. The minimal requirements for the holding room shall be as follows:

(a) Sanitary floor;

(b) Running hot and cold water with a sink for personal hygiene;

(c) All opening windows and outside doors shall be adequately screened and shielded from outside viewing;

(d) Containers for refuse, trash and soiled linens shall be adequately covered or sealed at all times;

(e) The holding room shall be strictly private. A "private" sign shall be posted on the door(s) entering the holding room. No one shall be allowed therein while the body is being held except the embalmers, funeral directors, apprentices, officials in discharge of their duties, and other authorized persons;

(f) All bodies in the holding room shall be treated with proper care and dignity and shall be properly covered at all times;

(g) Ingress and egress of the holding room shall be situated so that functions in the funeral home will not impede or interfere with entering or exiting said room; and

(h) If the holding room is equipped with a hydro-aspirator or electric aspirator, the aspirator shall be equipped with at least one air breaker.

(E) Upon approval of the application for a funeral home license involving a facility that has not previously been utilized as a licensed funeral home, the funeral director shall submit to the board an occupancy permit certifying that the facility is in conformance with all applicable building codes.

(F) Upon receipt of the occupancy permit and prior to the opening of the funeral home, the board, any member thereof, or its duly authorized inspector shall inspect such funeral home.

(G) The funeral home license shall be effective upon the completion of the inspection and approval by the inspector.

(H) No funeral director actually in charge shall operate or participate in the operation of any such funeral home, unless the board first grants its approval for such operation or participation, and which shall be based upon the results or findings of the inspection.

(I) License display

(1) The individual funeral director's license of each licensee employed at a funeral home shall be conspicuously displayed at the funeral home in such a manner that it may be seen by the general public. In instances of multiple operations, the license shall be displayed at the principal site of employment.

(2) The individual embalmer's license of each licensee employed at a funeral home shall be conspicuously displayed in a public place in that home.

(3) The funeral home facility license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the funeral home.

(J) Actually in charge and ultimately responsibly sign

(1) The name of the funeral director who is the actually in charge and ultimately responsible to whom the funeral home license has been issued shall be displayed on a sign. The sign must conspicuously displayed in such a manner that it may be seen by the general public immediately on the outside or inside of the primary entrance to the funeral home. The sign must specifically include the name of the funeral director actually in charge and ultimately responsible followed by "has been issued a license to operate this funeral home."The size of text listing the name of the actually in charge and ultimately responsible shall be a minimum of .75 inches. The size of the text "has been issued a license to operate this funeral home" shall be a minimum of .5 inches.

(K) A holder of any individual license shall notify the board in writing, within fifteen days of any change of address of licensee. The actually in charge and ultimately responsible who is licensed to operate a facility shall notify the board in writing within fifteen days of any change of address and comply with section 4717.11 of the Revised Code and apply for a new license.

(L) The board shall have the right to examine the funeral home location for which a funeral home license application has been filed.

(M) When a request for a license is rejected, the board shall notify the applicant of his right to a hearing. The applicant shall request a hearing within thirty days of the time of mailing the notice. When the applicant requests a hearing, the board shall immediately set a date, time, and place for a hearing and shall notify the applicant. The date shall be within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the applicant requested the hearing, unless otherwise agreed to by both parties.

Last updated May 20, 2022 at 3:36 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4717.04(B), 4717.04(A)(7)
Amplifies: 4717.11
Five Year Review Date: 6/19/2022
Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/1974, 3/12/1979, 6/19/2017
Rule 4717-7-03 | Sale or disposition of existing funeral home.
 

(A) When any funeral home is closed, the board shall be notified, in writing, within ten days, by the funeral director actually in charge and ultimately responsible, whose signature shall be notarized. Within thirty days of the notification to the board, the funeral director actually in charge and ultimately responsible shall surrender the license to operate the funeral home and comply with divisions (C) and (D) of section 4717.13 of the Revised Code.

(B) Upon the sale of a licensed funeral home that results in a majority change in ownership, the person licensed to operate the funeral home shall surrender to the board the funeral home license of the funeral home within thirty days of the closing, sale, or other disposition of the funeral home, along with a clearly enumerated account of the following:

(1) All preneed funeral contracts held by the funeral home;

(2) All life insurance policies held or payable to the funeral home upon the death of a person; and

(3) All accounts payable to the funeral home upon the death of a person.

(C) The purchaser or new owner of the funeral home shall submit to the board a fully completed application for funeral home license, within thirty days after the purchase of the funeral home.

(D) When an individual or individuals in whose name the funeral home was licensed to operated, dies or otherwise ceases to be actually in charge of or ultimately responsible for the funeral home, the funeral home may continue to operate under the person or person's name, or any combination of the current licensed name.

Last updated May 20, 2022 at 3:36 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4717.04(B), 4717.04(A)(7)
Amplifies: 4717.11, 4717.13(D), 4717.13(C)
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2022
Prior Effective Dates: 6/19/1974, 7/1/1987, 4/10/2011
Rule 4717-7-04 | Crematory facilities.
 

Requirements for crematory facility license:

(A) Any person desiring to operate a crematory facility shall be a crematory operator as required under division (D)(1) of section 4717.06 of the Revised Code and apply to the board on a form provided by the board, include the appropriate license fee, and establish that:

(1) The facility is at a fixed place or location;

(2) The facility is adequately equipped and maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. The crematory shall contain only the articles and instruments necessary for carrying out the business of the crematory. The crematory shall contain separate equipment for the performance of cremation and pulverization of dead human bodies and human body parts, and animals so as to prevent the opportunity for comingling of remains. The minimal requirements for the crematory facility shall be as follows:

(a) The crematory facility shall be in compliance with all applicable local and state building codes, zoning laws, and ordinances, environmental laws and OSHA requirements;

(b) The crematory shall have, on site, a motorized mechanical device for processing cremated remains and must have, in the building or adjacent to it, a holding facility for the retention of dead human bodies or human body parts awaiting cremation. The holding facility must be secure from access by anyone except the authorized personnel of the crematory, preserve the dignity of the remains, and protect the health and safety of the crematory personnel. The crematory facility shall also maintain sufficient pollution control equipment to comply with the department of environmental regulation requirements in order to secure annual approved certification.

(3) The holder of a crematory facility license who is the actually in charge and ultimately responsible shall submit to the board written notification, within ten days of any termination of a crematory operator actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the crematory facility. Within thirty days of the notification to the board, the holder of a crematory facility license who is actually in charge and ultimately responsible shall surrender the license to operate the crematory facility. Except in extenuating circumstances, and with approval of the board, no crematory facility is to operate without a crematory operator actually in charge and ultimately responsible of the crematory facility for more than thirty days after the written notification is filed with the board. A change in the person who is licensed to operate a crematory facility who is actually in charge and ultimately responsible requires a new crematory facility license under division (C)(2) of section 4717.11 of the Revised Code. The person who will be licensed to operate the crematory as the actually in charge and ultimately responsible after the change shall apply for a new license on an application form prescribed by the board within thirty days of filing the written notification with the board. Any crematory facility that fails to comply with this rule shall cease operations.

(B) Actually in charge and ultimately responsible sign

The name of the crematory operator actually in charge and ultimately responsible to whom the crematory facility license has been issued to operate shall be displayed on a sign. The sign must be conspicuously displayed in such a manner that it may be seen by the general public immediately on the outside or inside of the primary entrance to the crematory facility. The sign must specifically include the crematory operator actually in charge and ultimately responsible followed by "has been issued a license to operate this crematory facility." The size of text listing the name of the actually in charge and ultimately responsible shall be a minimum of .75 inches. The size of the text "has been issued a license to operate this funeral home" shall be a minimum of .5 inches.

(C) The crematory facility license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the crematory.

(D) The board shall have the right to examine the crematory facility location for which a crematory license application has been filed.

(E) When a request for a license is rejected, the board shall notify the applicant of his right to a hearing. The applicant shall request a hearing within thirty days of the time of mailing the notice. When the applicant requests a hearing, the board shall immediately set a date, time, and place for a hearing and shall notify the applicant. The date shall be within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the applicant requested the hearing, unless otherwise agreed to by both parties.

Last updated July 24, 2024 at 8:23 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4717.04(B)
Amplifies: 4717.11
Five Year Review Date: 5/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 4/10/2011, 6/19/2017
Rule 4717-7-05 | Embalming facilities.
 

Requirements for embalming facility license:

(A) Any person desiring to operate an embalming facility shall apply to the board on a form provided by the board, include the appropriate license fee, and establish that:

(1) The facility is at a fixed place or location;

(2) The embalming facility is adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner. The embalming room at the facility shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for its stated purpose. The embalming room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and used only for the care and preparation of dead human bodies. The minimal requirements for the embalming room shall be as follows:

(a) Sanitary floor;

(b) All instruments and appliances used in the embalming of a dead human body shall be thoroughly cleansed and sterilized using an appropriate disinfectant immediately at the conclusion of each individual case;

(c) Running hot and cold water with a sink for personal hygiene;

(d) Exhaust fan and intake vent, permanently installed and operable with the capacity to change the air in the room at least fifteen times each hour;

(e) Sanitary plumbing connected with sewer, cesspool, septic tank, or other department of health approved system;

(f) Porcelain, stainless steel, metal-lined or fiberglass operating table;

(g) All opening windows and outside doors shall be adequately screened and shielded from outside viewing;

(h) All hydro-aspirators or electric aspirators shall be equipped with at least one air breaker;

(i) Containers for refuse, trash and soiled linens shall be adequately covered or sealed at all times;

(j) First-aid kit and eyewash;

(k) The embalming or preparation room shall be strictly private. A "private" sign shall be posted on the door(s) entering the preparation room. No one shall be allowed therein while the body is being embalmed except the embalmers, funeral directors, apprentices and other authorized persons and officials in discharge of their duties;

(l) All waste materials, refuse, used bandages and cotton shall be destroyed in accordance with all applicable OSHA and EPA regulations;

(m) Every person, while engaged in actually embalming a dead human body, shall be attired in a clean and sanitary smock or gown covering the person from the neck to below the knees and shall, while so engaged, wear impervious rubber gloves;

(n) All bodies in the preparation room shall be treated with proper care and dignity and shall be properly covered at all times;

(o) Ingress and egress of the preparation room shall be situated so that functions in the funeral home shall not impede or interfere with entering or exiting said room; and

(p) Sufficient emergency lighting.

(3) The board shall issue a license to operate an embalming facility only for the address at which the embalming facility is to operate and shall issue said license only to an embalmer who is actually in charge of the facility.

(4) The embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible of a embalming facility license shall submit to the board written notification, within ten days of any termination of an embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible of the embalming facility. Within thirty days of the notification to the board, the embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible of the embalming facility license shall surrender the license to operate the embalming facility. Except in extenuating circumstances, and with approval of the board, no embalming facility is to operate without an embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible of the embalming facility for more than thirty days after the written notification is filed with the board. A change of the embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible of an embalming facility requires a new license under division (B)(2) of section 4717.11 of the Revised Code. The person who will be licensed to operate the embalming facility as the actually in charge and ultimately responsible after the change shall apply for a new embalming facility license on an application form prescribed by the board within thirty days of filing the written notification with the board. Any embalming facility that fails to comply with this rule shall cease operations.

(B) Actually in charge and ultimately responsibly sign

The name of the embalmer who is the actually in charge and ultimately responsible to whom the embalming facility license has been issued shall be displayed on a sign. The sign must conspicuously displayed in such a manner that it may be seen by the general public immediately on the outside or inside of the primary entrance to the embalming facility. The sign must specifically include the name of the embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible followed by "has been issued a license to operate this embalming facilty."The size of text listing the name of the actually in charge and ultimately responsible shall be a minimum of .75 inches. The size of the text "has been issued a license to operate this funeral home" shall be a minimum of .5 inches.

(C) The embalming facility license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the embalming facility.

(D) The board shall have the right to examine an embalming facility location for which a embalming facility license application has been filed.

(E) When a request for a license is rejected, the board shall notify the applicant of his right to a hearing. The applicant shall request a hearing within thirty days of the time of mailing the notice. When the applicant requests a hearing, the board shall immediately set a date, time, and place for a hearing and shall notify the applicant. The date shall be within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the applicant requested the hearing, unless otherwise agreed to by both parties.

Last updated May 20, 2022 at 3:36 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4717.04(A)(8), 4717.04(B)
Amplifies: 4717.11
Five Year Review Date: 6/19/2022
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/2001
Rule 4717-7-06 | Sale or disposition of exisiting embalming facility.
 

(A) When any embalming facility is closed, the board shall be notified, in writing, within ten days, by the embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible, whose signature shall be notarized. Within thirty days of the notification to the board, the embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible shall surrender the license to operate the embalming facility.

(B) The new embalmer actually in charge and ultimately responsible of the embalming facility shall submit to the board a fully completed application for license, within thirty days after the purchase of the embalming facility.

Last updated May 20, 2022 at 3:36 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4717.04(B), 4717.04(A)(8)
Amplifies: 4717.11
Five Year Review Date: 1/10/2024
Rule 4717-7-07 | Sale or disposition of existing crematory facility.
 

When any crematory facility is closed, the board shall be notified, in writing, within ten days, by the crematory operator actually in charge and ultimately responsible of the facility license, whose signature shall be notarized. Within thirty days of the notification to the board, the crematory operator actually in charge shall surrender the license to operate the crematory facility.

The new crematory operator actually in charge and ultimately responsible of the crematory facility shall submit to the board a fully completed application for license, within thirty days after the purchase of the crematory facility.

Last updated May 20, 2022 at 3:36 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4717.04(B)
Amplifies: 4717.11
Five Year Review Date: 1/10/2024