Funeral director assistants; authorize to perform all activities of funeral directors with certain exceptions.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not explicitly state whether funeral director assistants are required to work under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director, but it is implied in the context.

Allow Funeral Director Assistants to Do Most Job Duties

This bill would let funeral director assistants perform most tasks that a licensed funeral director can do, except for making arrangements with families.

What This Bill Does

• Allows funeral director assistants to perform all activities that a licensed funeral director can do, except for arranging funerals.

Who It Names or Affects

• Funeral director assistants
• Licensed funeral directors

Terms To Know

funeral arrangements

The process of planning and organizing the details for a funeral service, such as selecting services, caskets, and burial sites.

licensed funeral director

A person who is officially allowed to work in the profession of arranging funerals after passing certain tests and meeting state requirements.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass during its session.
• It would have taken effect on July 1, 2026, but since it did not pass, this date is no longer relevant.

Official Summary Text

Funeral director assistants; authorize to perform all activities of funeral directors with certain exceptions.

Current Bill Text

H. B. No. 854 *HR31/R994* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR31/R994
PAGE 1 (MCL\JAB)
ST: Funeral director assistants; authorize to
perform all activities of funeral directors with
certain exceptions.
To: Business and Commerce
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Banks

HOUSE BILL NO. 854

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-11-65, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO AUTHORIZE FUNERAL DIRECTOR ASSISTANTS TO PERFORM ALL OF THE 2
ACTIVITIES THAT A FUNERAL DIRECTOR MAY PERFORM EXCEPT FOR MAKING 3
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. Section 73-11-65, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 6
amended as follows: 7
73-11-65. (1) Every funeral service or interment, or part 8
thereof, that is conducted in Mississippi must be in the actual 9
charge and under the supervision of a funeral director or funeral 10
service licensee who is licensed under this chapter. However, 11
this section shall not prevent a family from burying its own dead 12
without charge. 13
(2) A funeral director assistant, under the supervision of a 14
licensed funeral director, may perform all of the activities that 15
a funeral director may perform except for making funeral 16
arrangements. 17
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 18
and after July 1, 2026. 19