Press Release - June 9, 2003
Albany,
NY -- June 09 -- The New York State Assembly today overwhelmingly
passed a bill which requires that written confirmation be given
a funeral director each time a body is delivered to a cemetery,
crematory or other place of final disposition. The legislation,
sponsored by Senator Nicholas Spano (R-Yonkers) and Assemblyman
Richard Brodsky (D-Greenburgh), is strongly supported by the New
York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) because it adds
one more safeguard to the important process of final disposition.
The legislation (S.2515-A/A.1228) would serve to prevent any occurrence
in New York State similar to the tragic events that unfolded at
a Noble, Georgia crematory last year.
According to NYSFDA Executive Director
Bonnie Tippy, “Although
New York State can rightfully boast of some of the strongest
laws in the nation regarding final disposition, NYSFDA strongly
believes that this additional legislation is necessary to provide
surviving families with the peace of mind they should have when
a loved one’s body is delivered to the final resting place.”
Ms. Tippy added that the leadership of
the 750 member funeral directors’ organization had sought the legislation to establish
a “paper trail” for custody of a body, so that families
will know with certainty who is responsible for the body at each
step in the process. “Funeral directors take very seriously
their many responsibilities to a decedent’s loved ones
at a time of extreme emotional duress, and this new mechanism
will help to provide survivors the enhanced level of comfort
to which they are entitled.”
The bill now goes to the Senate.
Editors Note: For more information or to schedule
an interview please call: Bonnie Tippy or Randy McCullough at
518-452-8230, or Vera Nuspliger at 518-882-9816.
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