Prince Edward Island Funeral Services and Professions Board

The objects of the Board are:

• (a) to protect the public from untrained and unqualified persons providing funeral services or performing embalming;
• (b) to oversee and facilitate apprenticeship training;
• (c) to ensure that funeral homes and embalming facilities are maintained and equipped as required by this act and regulations;
• (d) to ensure that vehicles used or intended to be used for the transportation of human remains are maintained and equipped as required by this Act and the regulations; and
• (e) to ensure that funeral services are provided, embalming is performed, and that funeral homes, embalming facilities and transfer services are operated, in accordance with this act and the regulations.

What is the function of the board?

The functions are essentially the setting and administering standards for the profession, premises, investigations and hearings. Specific clauses include the following:

• (a) to establish the initial and continuing educational, competency and other qualifications or requirements for the issuance, renewal or reinstatement of a Funeral Director's License or an Embalmer's License;
• (b) to assess applications for the issuance, renewal or reinstatement of a license;
• (c) to develop or adopt and administer examinations to, or approve examinations developed or adopted and administered by another entity to, applicants for a Funeral Director's License or an Embalmer's License;
• (d) through (j) will be added after the legislation is proclaimed.

Primary Role:  Adjudicative

Material Role:

• Strategic Development 
• Advisory 
• Professional Organization 
• Managerial/Oversight 

How many people are on the board?

The Funeral Services and Professions Board shall be composed of the following members appointed by the Minister:

• (a) two individuals who are members of the Association (P.E.I. Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association), nominated by the Association;
• (b) two individuals who are members of the co-operative, nominated by the co-operative;
• (c) one public representative who
  • (i) is an individual, and
  • (ii) has never provided funeral services, performed embalming, or operated a funeral home, an embalming facility or a transfer service;
• (d) one representative of the Department.

What are the requirements of board members?

Formal Qualifications
Credentials required by the profession if representing the profession/industry. Interest in the profession, industry, and consumer requirements if serving as a public representative.

Work & Experience Requirements
Qualifications to operate as a member of the Association or the Co-operative in PEI if a Director or an Embalmer. Past board experience is an asset. One person shall be elected from within as the chair of the board.

Skills Required
Abilities fundamental to the establishment, maintenance, and enforcement of quality standards whether for the profession, premises, investigations, or hearings.

What are the nomination requirements?

Statutory Nomination Requirements
The board members will be appointed by the Minister of Justice and Public Safety. The Association and the Co-operative shall nominate members of the profession for appointment, as well as the public representative. The Department will nominate the Department representative.

Traditional Nomination Requirements
As above.

Will I get paid?

To be determined by the board. This is a professional board (Category D).

What is the time commitment of the board?

Several meetings annually (approximately two hours each). Special meetings as required.

Individuals are appointed initially for a three-year term, and may be reappointed for a second three-year term, i.e., six years.

If you would like to serve as a member of a provincial government agency, board, or commission (ABC) you can apply online through Engage PEI.