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Notice  - 11/8/22
Regarding Tropical Storm Nicole and Hurricane Preperations for Future Storms

Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to become a hurricane prior to making landfall along the east coast of Florida.  Since this is a large storm, many Florida counties will be impacted with wind and/or flooding issues.  In anticipation of inclement weather resulting from this or future storms, we want to remind our licensees of the following.  This information was also directly provided to our licensed establishments by email on Tuesday, 11/8/22.

1. Hurricane preparation and aftermath information

State, county, and city governments provide a lot of information on preparing for natural disasters, including hurricanes.  One great resource is found at the Department of Financial Services’ website at:  https://myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/storm/.  You may also wish to visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/ for more information regarding general hurricane preparedness, including emergency planning for businesses at https://www.floridadisaster.org/business/planning-for-businesses/.  These sites also provide helpful information on filing claims and other issues that may arise after a storm.

2. Power outages

If you have a refrigeration unit, and your facility or unit is damaged or otherwise inoperable due to a hurricane or other natural disaster, please consider the following options:

• Contact another local funeral establishment to see if they might have space available; or
• Contact your local county emergency management.  Contact information for the Emergency Management Directors of each county is found in the document linked below, which was provided to us by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.  Your county emergency management will coordinate with the state’s emergency management team or others as may be necessary to assist you.

List of County EM Directors

3. E-filing of Death Certificate Notices

At this time, the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) is not expected to be impacted by Tropical Storm Nicole.  We recognize, however, that your accessibility to the system may be limited due to power outages in your own areas.  The Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Vital Statistics recently sent an email to its list of funeral directors reminding them that licensees should print several blank copies of its death certificate form (DH512), fetal death form (DH428), and burial transit permit (DH326) in preparation for possible power outages and downtime.  If EDRS is not accessible for an extended period of time but power is available, then the aforementioned forms are available as an enterable pdf and may be used to complete the death record.  Please print the forms double-sided on legal sized (8 ½ x 14) paper. Once completed and signed, you may file the paper form at the local county vital statistics office for registration.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics Helpdesk (1-866-295-5902) has also advised that it is available: M - F 8am - 6pm, and Sat 9am - 2pm ET. Their Quality Assurance unit is also available at 904-359-6900 ext. 9020 and you may reach Ken Jones at 904-359-6900 ext. 1001.

4. Hurricane Follow-up

Following a hurricane, Division staff will be calling the licensed establishments in the impacted areas to obtain information on any power outage issues, building damages, etc., and determine if there are any needs with which we can assist.  If your establishment has refrigeration/storage space available at that time, please let our staff know so that they can share that information with other licensees in the area who may need that type of assistance.

5. Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services’ Offices

Office closures during the week will depend upon the path, duration, and impact of the storm.  If you have attempted to reach the Division at its main line (850-413-3039 or toll free in Florida at 1-800-323-2627) without success, please leave a message.  Division staff will return your call as soon as possible following the storm.

2023 Board Meeting Schedule: January to June

The January Public Meeting, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via videoconference on January 5, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The public may participate in this conference by either video using the following link: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/board-videoconference-january-3; o por teleconferencia llamando al (571) 317-3112, Código de Acceso: 756-224-677. 

The February Public Meeting, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via videoconference on February 2, 2023, a las 10:00 a. m. El público puede participar en la conferencia por video a través del siguiente enlace: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/board-videoconference-february-8; o por teleconferencia llamando al (646) 749-3122, Código de Acceso: 145-189-077. 

The March Public Meeting, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via videoconference on March 2, 2023, a las 10:00 a. m. El público puede participar en la conferencia por video a través del siguiente enlace: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/board-videoconference-march-6; o por teleconferencia llamando al (571) 317-3112, Código de Acceso: 134-412-133. 

The April Public Meeting, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held in Tallahassee FL (Location: TBD) on April 4, 2023, a las 10:00 a.m.  

The May Public Meeting, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via videoconference on May 4, 2023, a las 10:00 a. m. El público puede participar en la conferencia por video a través del siguiente enlace: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/board-videoconference-may; or by teleconference by calling (646) 749-3122, Access Code: 280-832-061. 

The June Public Meeting, of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, will be held via videoconference on 29 de Junio de 2023 a las 10:00 a.m. El público puede participar en la conferencia por video a través del siguiente enlace: https://meet.goto.com/LaTonyaBryant/board-videoconference-june; or by teleconference by calling (408) 650-3123, Access Code: 855-532-245.

Using EDRS to Satisfy Portions of
Bodies Handled Report Requirements

A partir del 1 de octubre de 2021, muchos Establecimientos Funerarios y Establecimientos de Entierro Directo pueden utilizar el EDRS para satisfacer la mayoría de los requisitos del Informe de Cuerpos Que Ingresaron que se detallan en la sección 497.382 de los Estatutos de Florida y en la Regla 69K-20.001 de los Estatutos de Florida. Las instrucciones completas para utilizar el EDRS con esta finalidad se encuentran disponibles en este documento: Instrucciones para el Uso de EDRS - Informe de Cuerpos que Ingresaron 9-27-21. El Departamento de Salud también proporcionó instrucciones para ofrecerles a nuestros licenciados asistencia adicional para utilizar la Pestaña de Informes de los EDRS: Pestaña de Informes - Instrucciones.

These new functions to EDRS are the result of a complex joint project with the Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, and our Division. We are very pleased to be able to offer Florida’s Funeral Establishments and Direct Disposal Establishments the additional options for completing their monthly Bodies Handled Report requirements.

Please contact our Division at 1-800-323-2627 for questions relating to the Bodies Handled Reports or the Florida Department of Health Vitals Statistics Helpdesk at 1-866-295-5902 for questions concerning EDRS.

Fingerprinting Procedures

The Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services will no longer be providing or accepting fingerprint cards. If there is not a LiveScan location available in your area, please contact IdentoGO By MorphoTrust USA regarding fingerprinting procedures and to obtain fingerprint cards. Please see the IdentoGO web site for further instructions.

Continuing Education Providers – Course Rosters

The Division uses the DICE electronic data tracking system to manage continuing education data. This system has been enhanced to allow course providers to enter course completion information directly into DICE, from course rosters, by using the attendee’s social security number or FCCS license number