Pennsylvania Funeral Director Law Gutted by Federal Judge

Harrisburg, PA – The recent ruling by Judge John Jones III, of the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, in the Heffner v. Murphy case was unprecedented and a surprise to the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association.  This sweeping ruling certainly has the potential to change the landscape of funeral directing in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Funeral Directors is not a party to this litigation and, therefore, will be observing what might occur going forward.  Either party may appeal, and at some point, legislation will be introduced to address the Court’s ruling regarding many of the counts.

The Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association strongly hopes that the State Board of Funeral Directors will give every consideration to an appeal to the Third Circuit Court in order to obtain real clarity on the issues at hand.