By Savannah Morning News

Georgia - The effort to reform the death services industry in Georgia is a year behind schedule, but House leaders should continue the initiative. When a family entrusts the body of a deceased loved one to a representative of the funeral, cemetery or cremation industry, they should get a minimum level of professionalism and respect. Anything less is unacceptable.

Unfortunately, disrespect and dishonesty carried out by bad actors have marred an already sensitive time for their vulnerable clients. Take, for example, Matthew Jones, the former owner of Sidney A. Jones Funeral Home in Savannah.

In 2006, Jones not only failed to perform a pre-paid cremation for Michelle Green-Johnson's father, but also refused to release the man's body for cremation for six weeks after his death.

A person's survivors may also face other delays, involving the failure of funeral operators to promptly file death certificates.

And families may experience additional trauma, years later, at many private cemeteries that are allowed to dissolve into overgrown disrepair because they are unregulated by the state.

According to the Secretary of State's Office, scores - possibly hundreds - of cemeteries across Georgia do not fall under regulation. Only perpetual care cemeteries, which require families to put money into trust funds to pay for upkeep, are regulated by the state.

Even when a complaint is filed against someone within the industry, the State Funeral Board acts in such secrecy that the general public may never know of a cemetery or funeral provider's misdeeds until they themselves become victims.

That's unacceptable, too. Clearly, self-regulation by the industry isn't working. It's time the Georgia Legislature stepped in.

The Georgia House Human Relations and Aging Committee voted unanimously Thursday to reauthorize a House study committee to probe corruption and a lack of professionalism among some operators in the funeral, cemetery and cremation industries. That's a positive step and it deserves a vote by the full House before the session ends.

While the measure stops short of enacting new rules, it would continue the work of an earlier study committee that looked into the industry last year, but failed to develop comprehensive legislation.

Should the resolution pass, let's hope new rules that protect the interests of Georgians are the result. This is one time when regulation is a good thing. New rules will force inferior providers out of the marketplace and help the industry maintain its dignity and respect.

http://savannahnow.com/node/472130