South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 57 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION-SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE
Below is a refined summary of Chapter 57 – Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation: South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service, current through State Register Vol. 49, Issue 3 (effective March 28, 2025) (regulations.justia.com):
📘 Chapter 57 – South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service
🔸 Article 1 – Definitions (§ 57‑01)
References statutory definitions (S.C. Code § 40‑19‑20), such as:
“Supervision” (direct oversight required for apprentices),
“Cremains,” “Crematory,” “Alternative container,” etc., including safety criteria (scstatehouse.gov).
🔸 Article 2 – Officers & Meetings (§ 57‑02 to § 57‑03)
Annual election of board officers (president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer).
Board must meet at least twice yearly.
Quorum rules and caution regarding unexcused absences (possible removal) (scstatehouse.gov).
🔸 Article 3 – Licensing (§ 57‑04 to § 57‑10)
Embalmers (§ 57‑04): Must be ≥18 years; complete accredited embalming program; pass ≥75 % exam; 24‑month apprenticeship under a licensed embalmer; crime/moral certification (scstatehouse.gov).
Funeral Directors (§ 57‑05): Must be ≥18; hold high school diploma/equivalent plus prescribed education; pass exam; 24‑month apprenticeship under licensed funeral director; crime/moral criteria (law.justia.com).
Apprentices (§ 57‑06, § 57‑06.1): 24-month full-time apprenticeship; detailed quarterly reporting; must assist in ≥50 cases with ≥25 specific tasks; apprenticeship may be renewed up to three times; five-year completion limit (scstatehouse.gov).
Student Permits (§ 57‑07): Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited (or accrediting) mortuary science program; supervised activities (scstatehouse.gov).
Licensure by Endorsement (§ 57‑08): Out-of-state licensees need ≥5 years of comparable licensure; pass South Carolina exam (scstatehouse.gov).
Renewal & Reactivation (§ 57‑09): Licenses expire June 30 biennially; renew within 30 days before/after—six continuing education hours needed; late renewals allowed (within 6 months) with penalty; expired <5 years may reactivate with education, fees, possibly supervised experience; expired >5 years must reapply and re-examine (scstatehouse.gov).
Funeral Establishments (§ 57‑10): Facility must apply, pay fee, pass inspection: chapel, prep room with specific equipment, display stock, hearse, code compliance; must name a licensed manager; ownership structures require licensed directors or managers (scstatehouse.gov).
🔸 Article 4 – Continuing Education (§ 57‑11)
Embalmers and funeral directors must complete six hours of formal continuing education (seminars/workshops) per renewal cycle.
Exemptions: practitioners ≥ 60 years old or licensed for ≥ 30 years (if not managers).
Waivers/extensions may be granted for disability/illness (scstatehouse.gov).
🔸 Article 5 – Fees (§ 57‑12)
Fees as listed in Chapter 10–17 and on Board website.
All fees are non-refundable (scstatehouse.gov).
🔸 Article 7 – Code of Ethics (§ 57‑13, § 57‑13.2)
Funeral directors must:
Fully inform families of service details and options.
Consider financial limits and explain costs clearly.
Disclose death benefits and provide itemized statements.
Avoid misrepresentations.
Maintain confidentiality regarding death cause, costs, funds.
Handle personal effects per family wishes.
Respect organ donation directives.
Respect religious customs and clergy authority (subject to family wishes).
Promote public health and not discourage autopsies unless requested (law.cornell.edu).
Websites (§ 57-13.2): Must display license numbers of all licensed staff; update when licenses lapse/suspend (scstatehouse.gov).
🔸 Article 8 – Crematory Requirements (§ 57‑14.1 to § 57‑14.4)
Records (§ 57‑14.1): Crematories must log deceased names, IDs, authorizations, dates, container types, delivery info, and implement ID tracking; dental work removal process; animal cremation prohibited (scstatehouse.gov).
Equipment & Practices (§ 57‑14.2): Must have holding area; use cremation retort meeting material/temperature/ash pan standards; vacuum system; certified operators with PPE; rigid, leak-resistant cremains containers (scstatehouse.gov).
Operator Training (§ 57‑14.3): Certified crematory operators must be trained in documentation, retort operation, safety, and record-keeping .
Trainer Training (§ 57‑14.4): Trainers/preceptors need factory-approved equipment training and documentation compliance (scstatehouse.gov).
🔸 Article 9 – Inspection Guidelines (§ 57‑15)
Proposed updates to inspection guidelines are under consideration by the Board and pending via legislative committees (llr.sc.gov).
✅ Summary
Chapter 57 establishes comprehensive standards for:
Licensing of embalmers, funeral directors, apprentices, and students.
Facility operation, including inspections and equipment requirements.
Continuing education, renewal, and ethics.
Strict crematory protocols ensuring safety, identification, and reporting integrity.
RELATED Blog
0 comments