August saw a short meeting for the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors and the announcement that the nation’s first mushroom caskets are now available from a Pennsylvania farm.
At its August 7 meeting, the Board granted the prosecution’s motion to deem admitted the allegations against Brittany Thomas, trading and doing business as Moskal-Reid Funeral Home, and that funeral home’s nominal supervisor, Richard T. Wolfe. An order to show cause had alleged, among other things, that Thomas engaged in the unlicensed practice of funeral directing, forged a customer signature on an insurance assignment and Wolfe’s signature on contracts, and submitted false bills to customers and insurance claims. Neither Thomas nor Wolfe responded to the allegations, and the Board will now decide their penalties.
The Board also reiterated that it would discuss the exposure draft of its general revisions package of regulations at its Oct. 30 meeting and invited interested parties’ input.
The Board also noted that it is monitoring House Bill 919, which would legalize natural organic reduction.
Green death care in Pennsylvania took another step forward this month as Setas Mushrooms farm in Franklin County introduced its living coffin, a biodegradable coffin made from a blend of fungus and hemp. The coffins are designed to facilitate the natural decomposition process and completely breakdown in less than two and a half years. Coffins are available for $1995 and urns for $995.
If you have any questions about the Funeral Board or green funerals, please contact me at any time.
