Oregon Funeral Directors Association

08/28/2026

Idaho has a new law banning the sale of human remains, spearheaded by a first-year law student.

08/19/2026

Upcoming educational session on September 22, 2026, at Anderson Tribute Center in Hood River, Oregon.
Anderson Tribute Center
1401 Belmont Avenue
Hood River, OR 97031

Angelique Simpson, Professional Development Director with Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions, will be the featured speaker, presenting:
“Cremation: It’s NOT About the Price”
It’s not shocking when we say there is often a gap between the revenue generated from casketed burial and direct cremation. But do you know just how big that gap is—and why you should know it?
As cremation rates continue to grow year over year, is your business positioned to grow with that trend? The real question is, is cremation the problem, or is it how we typically serve families who choose cremation?
Angelique will share how providing information and knowledge of ALL THE OPTIONS is key. Rather than focusing on price, the goal is to focus on providing value and insight so families can make informed decisions every time.
You Will Learn:
• The financial impact of the growing cremation trend
• How to better serve families who choose cremation
• How to distinguish your full-service funeral home from direct cremation businesses
• Options for sharing information with families in an easy and relatable way
We will start with a 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. session. Depending on attendance and interest in the morning session, we may offer a second session from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This event is open to all OFDA members, students of funeral service, and licensed funeral directors and embalmers.
If anyone is interested in attending, please reach out to me at 541-510-2154 or [email protected].

08/14/2026

Detectives say the trio broke into niches and mausoleums in at least nine states, and investigators warn there could be far more victims who haven't checked on their loved ones' burial sites in years: http://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/tomb-raiding-trio-cemeteries-thefts/507-2b0a72b4-fb4b-46b3-a5cf-8105db95679e?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KGW-TV

08/13/2026

I-5 Rose Quarter Project: Important Information for Portland-Area Funeral Homes

The I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project is scheduled to begin September 11, and it is expected to have a significant impact on traffic throughout the Portland metropolitan area.

What does this mean?

All southbound lanes of I-5 are expected to be closed for up to five weeks. This closure will likely result in increased congestion, longer travel times, and significant changes to normal traffic patterns.

The Oregon Funeral Directors Association (OFDA) has notified medical examiners throughout the Portland metro area and requested patience and understanding regarding potential delays in first-call response times.

Funeral homes in the Portland area should be prepared for:

Longer commute and travel times.

Significant traffic congestion and delays.

Additional planning required for timely first-call responses.

Potential requests to assist neighboring funeral homes with removals.

OFDA encourages all funeral home operators to work together and support one another during this period. There may be more frequent requests for assistance with removals, particularly when traffic conditions make it difficult for a funeral home to respond promptly.

This is an opportunity for our profession to come together and be good neighbors. If you are able to assist a fellow funeral home, please consider doing so. By working together, we can help ensure that families continue to receive the care, dignity, and timely service they deserve.

Please plan ahead, allow additional travel time, and communicate with your staff and neighboring funeral homes as needed.

Thank you for your cooperation, patience, and commitment to serving families.

An official website of the State of Oregon Learn How you know » (how to identify a Oregon.gov website) An official website of the State of Oregon »

08/12/2026

Latest OFDA newsletter

08/12/2026

Mark your calendars and prepare your comments. This will be an important one to attend. If you are not able to make it, please email OFDA, and we will share your concerns.

To: Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board Licensees (Individuals & Facilities)

Subject: OMCB Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Oregon Administrative Rule 830-020-0040 – Initial Application, License Renewal, Exam, Reissue, and Disposition and Interment Fees.

The Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board has initiated administrative rulemaking to amend OAR 830-020-0040. The amendments include changes to licensing fees for initial applications, license renewals, exams, reissues and disposition and interment fees.
The Notice was published in the August Oregon Bulletin and is attached for reference.

A public hearing has been scheduled from 9am-10am on September 21, 2026, and public testimony may be presented during that time. Written comment regarding the proposed rulemaking will be accepted until 5:00 pm, Sept 23rd, 2026. Please send any written testimony to me at the address below.

The public hearing will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Virtual meeting link:
MS Teams Link
Meeting ID: 223 768 156 126 519
Passcode: qD7M24Ss

Dial by Phone:
+1 503-446-4951,,106251957 # United States, Portland
Phone conference ID: 106 251 957 #

If you have any questions, concerns, or accommodation requests for the public hearing, please contact me.

Thank you,

Aaron Cowell, Education and Compliance Program Manager
Oregon Mortuary & Cemetery Board (OMCB)
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 430
Portland, OR 97232-2195

Office: (971) 673-1503
Email: [email protected]
Website:

An official website of the State of Oregon Learn How you know » (how to identify a Oregon.gov website) An official website of the State of Oregon »

08/12/2026

Good info on Fetal Demise Permits in the latest newsletter.

Matters of Record Newsletter from CHS Oregon Health Authority sent this update at 08/12/2026 09:14 AM PDT Having trouble viewing this? View it as a webpage August 2026 Birth News Death News County News Welcome! Welcome to the monthly newsletter for the Center for Health Statistics (CHS), Vital Recor...

08/11/2026

The Oregon Mortuary & Cemetery Board will be having a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday August 18, 2026. This meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. General Session will begin at 2:30pm. The focus of this meeting will be a legal advice review by Agency Counsel.
Anyone wishing to address the board is asked to sign up in advance and should contact Board staff by email at [email protected]. Advanced written copies of comments are appreciated.

Microsoft Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/220849929176746?p=ZKshugCv3D0WZhLgx8
Meeting ID: 220 849 929 176 746
Passcode: aS9c2Cj6

Agenda Link:https://www.oregon.gov/omcb/Board%20Meetings/August%2018%2c%202026%20General%20Session%20Agenda%20Special%20Board%20Meeting.pdf

08/09/2026

National Funeral Directors Association and Senior Vice President of Advocacy Lesley Witter, MPA, CAE, urges Congress to pass the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act which includes two important bipartisan measures that would ensure veterans and their families receive timely, dignified support at the end of life:

• Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act (H.R. 647): Protects a veteran’s access to a VA headstone, marker, national cemetery interment, and other burial benefits—even when the family also chooses a VA-furnished urn or commemorative plaque.

• Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act (H.R. 4398 / S. 2309): Requires a VA physician or nurse practitioner to certify a veteran’s death within 48 hours of notification, helping prevent burial delays and ensuring families can access accounts, survivor benefits, and other essential information.

We thank Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Office of U.S. Senator John Boozman, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran, and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Representative Mike Bost for their leadership and steadfast commitment to veterans and their families.

These commonsense measures would remove unnecessary barriers at a profoundly difficult time and help ensure every veteran is laid to rest with the honor and dignity they have earned.

08/09/2026

The 904EVER Club, a partnership with Iowa-based company Eternal Fan, includes a monument with space available for $904 to $5,904.