Registered Resident Training Program Guidelines

I. Purpose of Residency

To produce a fully qualified licensed funeral director by further educating and training graduates of funeral service schools in all aspects of funeral directing and embalming. This training program is intended to develop through practical experience, those basic skills learned at school. The resident, sponsor and Department of Health must assume certain responsibilities to assure the success of this program.

II. Responsibility of Resident

The resident is expected to be diligent in the performance of one's duties, availing oneself of every opportunity to learn and gain experience; mindful to act and perform always in a professional manner and in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Law and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. Said laws, rule and regulations shall be throughly reviewed in preparation for the New York State Law Examination which the resident must pass after or during the serving of the residency in order to qualify for licensure.

III. Responsibility of Resident

The sponsor is expected to provide the resident with the opportunity for learning and experience in all phases of funeral service. The sponsor shall review with the resident the provisions of the New York State Public Health Law and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. To withhold knowledge or training from a resident is not only a disservice to the resident and the profession, but ultimately to the public.

IV. Responsibility of Sponsor

The Department will provide general supervision of the program, making certain the training is of a satisfactory grade and character. Upon conclusion of the training, the Department will determine if the resident is qualified for full licensure through interviews and an examination on New York State laws, rules and regulations relating to funeral directing.

V. Resident Activities and Limitations

(a) Activities - The resident is to engage in the practice of funeral directing, perform all the duties and/or receive instructions relative to those items described under Item VI, Instructional Program. A New York State Resident's activity is limited to New York State.

b) Limitations of Activities - The resident may not complete funeral arrangements, sign any legal form or document which requires the signature of a licensed funeral director, or own or manage a funeral establishment. Practice in connection with funeral arrangements shall consist of observing, instruction, taking of preliminary information and exposure to the sale of service and merchandise.

VI. Instructional Program

The program should cover all aspects of funeral service including, but not limited to, the following whether such items are known under these titles, designations or otherwise.

(a) Background Information

  • Knowledge of Laws Relative to
  • Itemization statements
  • Disclosure of interest charges, cash advances and prices
  • Test for death
  • Authorization of taking custody and embalming
  • Unattended and suspicious death
  • Disposition of cremains
  • Filing of death certificates
  • Obtaining burial/cremation or disinterment permits
  • Responsibilities of medical examiner/coroner

(b) Embalming and Preparation of Remains

  • Embalming
  • Embalming the autopsy remains
  • Restorative techniques
  • Cosmetics - application and uses
  • Dressing and casketing
  • Instruments/machines - knowledge and use of
  • Fluids - knowledge and use of - when and quantity
  • Disinfectants - knowledge and use of

(c) Arrangements

  • First call information
  • Arrangement conference with family
  • Arrange with clergy and/or church/temple, for service, etc.
  • Arrange fraternal, humanist, or memorial service
  • Arrange with cemetery or crematory
  • Arrange for transportation to another state, city or country
  • Arrange for newspaper death notices

(d) Funeral directing

  • Transfer of remains from place of death
  • Conducting religious, fraternal, or humanist service
  • Conducting the funeral at funeral home, church, temple, etc.
  • Conducting the committal service

(e) Administrative

  • Completing statistical information and filing of death certificate
  • Completing social security forms
  • Completing veteran forms

(f) Merchandising

  • Knowledge of caskets - types, construction
  • Knowledge of vaults - types, constructive
  • Knowledge of wooden boxes - types, construction
  • Knowledge of memorial and acknowledgment cards
  • Knowledge of clothing
  • Knowledge of floral arrangements and display

VII. Additional Requirements

  1. The resident shall carry, while engaged in the residency, the "pocket card" issued.
  2. The resident or sponsor shall report to the Department any change in sponsor or discontinuance of residency within ten days and return the "pocket card" to the Department.
  3. The resident and sponsor shall jointly file quarterly reports within ten days following the end of each quarter.
  4. The resident shall be prepared to pass the New York State Law Examination relating to funeral directing described in items II and IV above.