Welcome to the Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors website. The board represents Funeral Directors and Embalmers in Nova Scotia as we strive to have the Funeral Profession viewed as a valued profession.
The funeral profession is not unlike any other profession; as licensed Funeral Directors and Embalmers, we are all governed by a "Code of Professional Conduct". There is also Federal and Provincial Legislation to which we must adhere.
In Canada, the regulatory control of funeral homes and licensed professionals comes under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Government. In this Province, the funeral profession is regulated under Legislation entitled "The Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act Chapter 144 of the Revised Statutes, 1989"
The responsibility for ensuring the provisions of this Act are followed rests with Service Nova Scotia and its Minister. However, the actual administration of the Act is undertaken by a duly constituted Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, consisting of the Registrar, one licensed embalmer appointed by the Minister, two licensed funeral directors appointed by the Minister, one licensed embalmer or funeral director elected by the Funeral Services Association of Nova Scotia, two consumer advocates appointed by the Minister who, in the opinion of the Minister, represent the public interest and who are not and have not been an embalmer, a funeral director, an owner or operator of, or the holder of an interest in, a funeral home or an employee of any of them.
In accordance with the Act and with the approval of the Minister, the Board, from time to time, makes or amends Regulations or Subordinate Legislation associated with the Act. The current Regulations including amendments are known as "Embalmers and Funeral Directors Regulations" made under Section 33 of the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 144. It is the Regulations which stipulate in more detail the specific requirements of the Act, such as, educational qualifications, licensing practices, and the minimum requirements of facilities, and equipment permitted.
As mentioned, the Board's primary function is to administer the Act on behalf of the Minister of Service Nova Scotia. This includes matters relating to the licensing of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, coordinating funeral service education programs, and addressing any violations of the Act for this Province.