Georgia Lawmakers Consider Ending Dual Licensing Requirement
Changing funeral preferences and shifting demographics are prompting Georgia lawmakers to reconsider longstanding licensing rules for funeral professionals, the Georgia Recorder reported.
For decades, embalming — the process used to preserve a body and slow decomposition — was widely chosen by families across the state. Today, however, more Georgians are selecting alternatives such as cremation or culturally specific burial practices that do not involve embalming. Despite that shift, state law still requires funeral directors to also hold embalming licenses.
State Sen. Rick Williams, a Republican from Milledgeville and a funeral professional with more than five decades of experience, is sponsoring legislation that would separate the two credentials. Senate Bill 239 proposes eliminating the requirement that funeral directors also be licensed embalmers in order to practice in Georgia. The measure recently cleared the state Senate with unanimous support and is now under consideration in the House.
Supporters argue that funeral service practices have evolved significantly in recent years. Nationally, cremation has grown from a relatively uncommon choice several decades ago into the most common form of disposition. Data from the Cremation Association of North America shows cremation rates have steadily climbed across the United States, and in Georgia the rate surpassed 50% by 2024.
Georgia has also expanded disposition options in recent years. A law that took effect in 2025 legalized natural organic reduction, a process that converts human remains into soil through controlled decomposition. Advocates say this alternative appeals to families seeking environmentally conscious choices.
In addition to revising licensing standards, the proposed legislation would create new penalties for individuals who falsely represent themselves as funeral directors. Lawmakers cited a 2025 incident in which an inmate allegedly impersonated a funeral professional and defrauded a grieving widow as motivation for strengthening enforcement measures.
The proposal has gained backing from the Georgia Funeral Directors Association, whose leadership reported that a recent member survey showed roughly two-thirds of respondents supported the change.
Eagle’s Wings Air Strengthens Customer Experience with New Leadership Appointments
Eagle’s Wings Air, the nation’s leading logistics provider of air transportation management services to funeral homes and shipping services, announced two key appointments focused on enhancing customer experience and expanding business development capabilities. Trevor Eccleston joins as director of business development, and Anne Vetter returns as brand ambassador, reflecting the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to funeral service professionals who rely on EWA to manage the complex logistics of transporting loved ones home for ceremony.
The new roles are designed to strengthen EWA’s ability to serve the deathcare community across the United States with the same level of care and attention that funeral service professionals provide to the client families they serve. As the company has successfully managed more than 325,000 air transfers since its founding in 2007, these appointments position EWA to scale its personalized service approach while maintaining the reliability and responsiveness that the profession requires.
“We understand that funeral home owners and their staff are under a lot of pressure to perform, and they trust us during some of the most challenging moments in their work,” said David McComb, co-founder and a fourth-generation independent funeral home owner. “These new roles allow us to deepen our long-standing relationships with our partners and ensure every interaction reflects our understanding of the critical nature of what they do in serving client families.”
Trevor Eccleston brings more than 25 years of marketing and business development expertise to his role as director of business development. Most recently serving as national account manager at Kates-Boylston Publications, publisher of American Funeral Director magazine, Eccleston has developed extensive relationships within the death care community.
In his new position, he will oversee all marketing strategy and business development initiatives, including trade show presence and industry partnerships. Eccleston will also lead the development and expansion of EWA’s client relations team as the company scales these capabilities throughout 2026.
Anne Vetter joins as brand ambassador, returning to Eagle’s Wings Air after previously serving as national account manager. She has significant experience in funeral service operations, recently retiring from Foundation Partners Group serving in business development for mergers and acquisitions. Vetter has deep expertise in international transportation services and will facilitate strategic relationships with national accounts and key clients while supporting the development of expanded service offerings. Her industry knowledge and established relationships position her to accelerate market development initiatives and strengthen EWA’s presence within the death care community.
The customer experience enhancements come at a time when the entire death care community faces increasing operational pressures. With cremation rates reaching approximately 62 percent and profit margins under pressure, funeral service operators need partners who understand their business challenges and can deliver consistent, time-saving solutions. EWA’s expanded team will focus on proactive communication, personalized support, and continuous service improvement based on feedback from their clients. Founded by McComb and airline industry veteran Frank Kaiser, EWA was created specifically to address the gap funeral homes faced when coordinating air transportation. The company’s proprietary software provides instant access to flight options across multiple carriers, while its 24/7 monitoring ensures that any disruptions are resolved before they impact funeral services or client families.
Second Lawsuit Filed Against Closed Las Vegas Funeral Home
A new lawsuit has been filed against a now-closed Las Vegas funeral home, alleging that it failed to complete a cremation within the agreed-upon timeframe, according to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Amanda White, a resident of Nye County, has brought legal action against McDermott’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services, claiming the business did not cremate her son’s remains as promised under their contract. The complaint was submitted to Clark County District Court on Feb. 19.
The funeral home’s license was revoked in August by the Nevada State Board of Funeral & Cemetery Services following multiple allegations of misconduct. Regulators accused the company of failing to cremate or otherwise properly handle eight bodies within a reasonable period and of storing remains under unacceptable conditions, including reports that some bodies were leaking bodily fluids. These findings were outlined in complaints reviewed by the board.
According to the Clark County coroner’s office, authorities ultimately removed 146 bodies from the facility and transferred them to Davis Funeral Home.
The case represents the second known lawsuit filed against the funeral home since regulators ordered it closed.
Court filings state that White’s son, Devin Magallon, died on Feb. 19, 2024. Three days later, she entered into an agreement with McDermott’s for funeral and cremation services. The total cost was approximately $2,000, and the cremation was expected to be completed within three weeks. Instead, the lawsuit alleges the process took about six weeks.
The complaint also claims the funeral home failed to provide a death certificate for roughly 18 months.
Read the full article.
Maryland Lawmakers Consider Pet Cremation Oversight Bill
Maryland pet owners affected by an alleged pet cremation fraud case are urging lawmakers to adopt new consumer protections aimed at regulating the industry, according to a CBS News report.
Several victims testified before the Maryland House of Delegates in support of House Bill 564, legislation designed to establish statewide standards for pet cremation providers. The proposal was introduced by Delegate Nick Allen and reviewed by the House Health and Government Operations Committee.
If approved, the measure would require pet cremation businesses to register with the state and maintain detailed documentation for every case they handle. Providers would also be required to supply families with written records outlining the type of cremation selected and identifying information for the animal. In addition, the bill calls for animal remains to be handled and stored respectfully.
Lawmakers say the legislation was prompted by concerns raised by constituents following a high-profile case in Baltimore County involving an unlicensed cremation operation. Supporters argue the changes are necessary because pets are often considered members of the family and families deserve clear protections when arranging final services.
The proposed law would also authorize the Maryland Attorney General’s Office to oversee compliance and enforce penalties for violations. Advocates say stronger oversight could prevent other families from experiencing similar emotional harm.
If enacted, the new regulations would take effect Oct. 1, 2026.
New York Funeral Home Facing Troubling Allegations
Camelot Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, New York — once a longstanding presence serving Westchester County families — has become the focus of a troubling investigation involving alleged unlicensed activity and the improper handling of human remains, according to a report in the Yonkers Times.
Authorities arrested funeral director Michael Naughton, 55, of Baldwin, Long Island, charging him with a misdemeanor for allegedly operating without a valid funeral director’s license.
The situation follows a series of regulatory problems stretching back several years. State officials revoked Naughton’s professional license in 2019. Before that action, he operated Naughton Bros. Funeral Home in Brooklyn between 2009 and 2018. Camelot Funeral Home itself experienced repeated shutdowns, first closing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 before briefly reopening. State regulators again ordered the facility closed in May 2025 over licensing violations. Investigators allege that services continued despite the closure order. According to authorities, Naughton acknowledged that more than 20 funerals were handled at the location after August 2025.
The case intensified following a routine inspection conducted by the New York State Department of Health in early 2026. Inspectors reportedly discovered 13 decomposing bodies throughout the building, including in chapel areas, a preservation room, a hallway, and a garage, where two remains were found stacked together beneath coverings. Officials also located 17 containers of cremated remains stored in the basement. Investigators determined that none of the bodies were accompanied by death certificates.
The Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the remains from the property, while the New York Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation aimed at identifying the deceased and returning them to their families.
Mother Gets Disturbing News About Son’s Cremated Remains
Nearly 18 years after believing she had brought home all of her son’s cremated remains, a Washington state mother discovered that additional cremated remains had been kept at a local funeral home without her knowledge, according to a report in The News Tribune.
In 2007, Tiffani Robinson arranged funeral and cremation services for her 20-year-old son, Dowell “Randy” Davis Thorn III, through House of Scott Funeral and Cremation Services following his death in a fatal shooting. For years, she found comfort in an urn she believed contained all of his remains. That changed in November 2025 when a family member received a message indicating that additional cremated remains were still being stored at the funeral home.
The original business closed in 2018, and its successor, Scott Funeral Home and Cremation Services, inherited unclaimed remains connected to prior cases. Robinson authorized her brother to retrieve the remains in December. Inside the container were ashes along with items connected to memorial jewelry, raising questions for the family about how the materials had been stored and whether the remains were correctly identified.
It remains unclear why the family was notified nearly two decades later or how the information surfaced. Robinson believes a mix-up may have occurred when she initially collected the ashes shortly after the funeral, possibly leaving part of the remains behind unintentionally.
Colorado Funeral Directors Face 2027 Licensing Deadline as Service Concerns Emerge
Funeral directors across Colorado have less than a year to comply with new licensing requirements set to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, prompting discussion within the profession about potential staffing challenges, particularly in rural communities, according to a KKTV 11 report.
The rules stem from a 2024 state law requiring all funeral directors to obtain professional licensure. Industry professionals say smaller, family-run funeral homes — many of which have served communities for generations — may struggle to meet the new standards. Some longtime operators could choose retirement rather than navigating additional administrative requirements or expanding staff.
Michael Pool, a licensed funeral director working at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, said the transition period has created uncertainty for older operators, raising concerns about possible service gaps in less populated areas.
Officials with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies say they are working directly with funeral professionals to prevent disruptions and ensure experienced practitioners remain in the field.
Maryland Crematory Operators Accused of Mishandling Infant Remains
Authorities in Charles County, Maryland, have filed criminal charges against the operators of a shuttered cremation business following an investigation into the handling of infant remains, ABC7/WJLA-TV reported.
Arrest warrants were issued for Rosa Turner and Brandon Williams, who operated Heaven Bound Cremation Service, after investigators alleged the remains of eight babies were improperly stored. Officials reported discovering the remains inside the couple’s residence in early 2025.
The crematory had already been ordered closed in January 2025 after inspectors documented serious operational and sanitary violations. Authorities said the cremation chamber was not functioning properly and multiple bodies were found decomposing in cardboard containers placed inside an overcrowded cooler that could not be fully sealed.
Matthews International Names J. Michael Nauman Chairman of the Board
On Feb. 19, Matthews International Corp. announced the appointment of J. Michael Nauman as chairman of the board of directors following the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, marking a key leadership transition as the organization continues executing its long-term strategic transformation, according to a news release.
Nauman succeeds Alvaro Garcia-Tunon, who is retiring after more than a decade of service on the board, including his tenure as chairman. First appointed to the Matthews Board of Directors in February 2025, Nauman brings more than 35 years of commercial, strategic and financial leadership experience. He previously served as president, chief executive officer, and director of Brady Corporation and held leadership roles at Molex Incorporated, Ohio Associated Enterprises and Arthur Andersen & Co.
“Michael brings incredible technical expertise, M&A experience, and leadership abilities that will benefit the company as we continue repositioning Matthews,” said Joe Bartolacci, president and CEO of Matthews. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside him and our fellow Board members as we guide Matthews for more sustainable growth and long-term value creation.”
“On behalf of Matthews International and its Board of Directors, we extend our sincere appreciation to Alvaro Garcia-Tunon for his exceptional leadership as both a Board member and as Chairman,” Nauman said. “Since joining the board in 2009, Alvaro’s strategic insight and steady guidance have played a vital role in navigating the company through numerous pivotal milestones. Matthews is deeply grateful for his service, and we wish him the very best in his retirement.”
The leadership transition followed the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, during which several additional governance actions were approved.
Shareholders re-elected Thomas A. Gebhardt, Aleta W. Richards, David A. Schawk, and Francis S. Wlodarczyk to the Board of Directors, reinforcing Matthews’ focus on experienced oversight and strategic continuity.
Gebhardt’s background in advanced battery technologies continues to support the company’s expansion into emerging energy solutions, while Richards, Schawk and Wlodarczyk contribute extensive governance experience and broad strategic insight. All four directors have played key roles during the past year as Matthews advances its strategic review and value creation initiatives.
In addition, shareholders approved amendments to the company’s Articles of Incorporation designed to further enhance Matthews’ governance practices.
Tukios Introduces New AI Photo Engine, Transforming Tribute Photos in Seconds
Tukios, a leader in funeral technology solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its new AI Photo Engine, a powerful feature designed to help funeral directors instantly transform standard snapshots into professional-quality images for tribute videos and online obituaries.
The Tukios AI Photo Engine allows funeral professionals to enhance, refine, and elevate photos in seconds, ensuring every image used in a final tribute reflects the dignity and respect families expect.
With Tukios AI, funeral directors can instantly enhance photo quality, adjust lighting, and remove distracting elements. The system can colorize black-and-white photos, modify or replace backgrounds, and improve clarity all through a simple, conversational interface.
Directors simply type the changes they would like to make, and Tukios AI does the rest. No technical editing expertise is required, and no third-party software is needed.
The AI Photo Engine blends seamlessly with Tukios’ tribute video software and obituary creator. Enhanced images automatically carry through to the materials families see most, including online memorials, video tributes, and physical keepsakes.
This integration ensures that families can purchase high-quality printed products featuring polished, professional images that preserve meaningful memories for years to come.
When a funeral home uses the Tukios AI Photo Engine, they are doing more than editing a photo. They are presenting the deceased at their very best for their final tribute.
By automating the time-consuming aspects of photo editing, Tukios removes a common operational headache and allows funeral directors to focus their attention where it belongs: supporting families and guiding them through the healing process.
The Tukios AI Photo Engine is now available within the Tukios platform and integrates directly into existing workflows for tribute videos and obituary creation. Funeral homes can contact their Tukios account manager or visit www.tukios.com to learn more.
