The Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors will soon consider which criminal convictions create a presumption that an individual should be denied a funeral director’s license. Historically, an applicant for a professional license who had a criminal...
Pennsylvania gathering limits increased for most businesses – guidance for funeral homes and cemeteries unclear
Pennsylvania’s limits on crowds at indoor and outdoor events are now to be calculated as a percentage of maximum occupancy. For most businesses, this means an increase in gathering limits.
Pennsylvania gathering limits remain in place, appeals court stays order
A federal appeals court stayed the lower court order declaring Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 gathering limits unconstitutional. This means that the limits will remain in place while the lower court’s order is on appeal.
On September 15, 2020, a federal district court in Pittsburgh declared the gathering limits to be unconstitutional, along with Gov. Tom Wolf’s now-suspended stay-at-home and non-life-sustaining business closure orders.
Federal court denies stay during appeal of ruling on gathering limits – impact for funeral homes and cemeteries
A federal court in western Pennsylvania, which struck down the commonwealth’s COVID-19 gathering limits, denied Gov. Tom Wolf’s request to stay ruling while it is on appeal. This means that, for now, the limits are not enforceable.
Federal court declares Pennsylvania gathering limits unconstitutional – impact for funeral homes and cemeteries
In a September 14, 2020 opinion and order, a federal district court in Pittsburgh declared Pennsylvania’s gathering limits, imposed as COVID-19 mitigation efforts, to be unconstitutional. Funeral homes and cemeteries may now choose to hold gatherings above the previously imposed limits, but this ruling is likely not the end of the story.
Funeral services again limited to 25 people
Effective today, Thursday, July 16, indoor funeral services in Pennsylvania are subject to a 25-person limit and outdoor burial services are limited to 250 people. Citing an “unsettling climb in new COVID-19 cases,” Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr....
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