Senate Bill 8152 (and its Assembly companion A5172) would create a 4-year apprenticeship pathway as an alternative to mortuary school for people entering the profession.
This is not a shortcut. The bill requires structured mentorship, competency evaluations, and supervision by a licensed funeral director throughout the entire four years. It is designed to produce fully qualified professionals through on-the-job training rather than classroom education.
Why this matters for your funeral home:The workforce crisis in funeral service is no longer theoretical. Over 60% of funeral home owners plan to retire within the next five years. There are more than 1,100 open funeral director-embalmer positions nationally. And the problem is worst in rural areas.
Mortuary school enrollment jumped 24% after COVID, but graduates overwhelmingly prefer metro areas. When a rural funeral home owner retires and the kids don't want the business, selling to SCI or Milestone is often the only option. This accelerates the consolidation that threatens every independent operator.
The apprenticeship bill offers a different path: grow your own talent locally. A promising employee who can't afford two years of mortuary school -- or can't relocate for it -- could train under your supervision while earning a living. After four years, they're qualified to take over.
What to do about it:1. Talk to your state senator. S8152 is in committee. It needs support from funeral directors who would actually use it. Rural operators especially should make their voices heard. 2. Identify potential apprentices. If you have a reliable employee who's expressed interest in the profession, this bill could be their path in. 3. Plan for succession. If your retirement is within 5 years, an apprentice who starts in 2027 could be ready by 2031. That's a viable handoff timeline. 4. Watch for opposition. Some in the industry will argue this dilutes professional standards. The counter-argument: a four-year structured apprenticeship is more rigorous than many two-year programs, and it keeps independents alive.
Sponsor: Currently in committee. We'll report co-sponsor changes and hearing dates as they develop.No movement on S9112/A10095 since our last issue. The Licensed Funeral Arranger Act remains in committee with no hearing scheduled.
Quick refresher: This is SCI's bill, introduced without NYSFDA support. It would create a Licensed Funeral Arranger (everything except embalming) and a Registered Transporter category. NYSFDA is opposed. What's changed: Nothing in the legislative record. Behind the scenes, NYSFDA leadership continues building its case against the bill. The association's position is that this creates a two-tier system that primarily benefits corporate operators while undercutting the training standards that protect families. What to watch for: Committee hearing dates and any new co-sponsors. If your senator signs on as a co-sponsor, that's your signal to call their office.Stephanie Gilman's DOH team is actively inspecting funeral homes across the state. If you haven't been visited yet, you will be. Here's what they're looking at:
Ventilation and Air Quality 1. Formaldehyde monitoring -- OSHA limit is 0.75 ppm TWA. Do you have a current reading? 2. Exhaust ventilation in prep room -- must be functional, not just present 3. Air circulation documentation Surfaces and Drainage 4. Impervious surfaces on all prep room walls and floors -- no exposed drywall or wood 5. Drainage functioning properly with no standing water 6. Prep table in good condition with no rust or deterioration Body Identification and Chain of Custody 7. ID tags on every body at all times 8. Chain of custody log -- who received, who handled, when 9. Written body identification protocol on file Chemical Storage 10. All chemicals labeled and stored in a secured area 11. MSDS/SDS sheets accessible and current 12. No expired chemicals on shelves DocumentationThis is not legal advice. For questions about specific compliance obligations, consult a licensed attorney familiar with New York funeral directing law.
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