State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors public meetings in 2024

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will hold a formal hearing regarding New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Gary Lewis, and Loranzo Magee. The board will also review an open meetings complaint, the AG's legal services contract, and a proposed interagency agreement with the LA DOJ Occupational Licensure Review Program.

• Formal hearing: In the Matter of New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Gary Lewis, Loranzo Magee
• Review of Open Meetings Complaint 2024-33 and LSBEFD Response
• Review of Attorney General's Contract for Legal Services
• Review of LA DOJ Occupational Licensure Review Program and Proposed Interagency Agreement
• Financial Report – FY 24.25 Budget Projection v Actual to Date

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors is meeting to discuss routine reports and two lawsuits filed against the board. The board will also consider entering executive session for litigation and staff matters.

• Executive session to discuss litigation: Marybeth Harrington v LSBEFD, Docket # 20124-00124
• Executive session to discuss litigation: Gary Lewis v LSBEFD, Docket # 2024-06195
• Executive session to discuss litigation: Gary Lewis v LSBEFD, Docket # 2024-06196
• Financial report for fiscal year 2024-2025
• Next meeting tentatively set for December 11, 2024

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors accepted the Executive Director's, Inspector's, and financial reports. The board also accepted the Complaint Review Committee's report and held an executive session to discuss litigation. Minutes from September and October meetings remain incomplete.

• Approved Executive Director's report (unanimous)
• Approved Inspector's report (unanimous)
• Approved FY 24.25 financial report (unanimous)
• Approved Complaint Review Committee's report (unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Board appointed Inspector R. DeMale Bowden, Jr. to succeed Kim Michel as Executive Director effective April 14, 2025. The Board also approved a legal services contract for general counsel and accepted reports from the inspector, executive director, and complaint review committee.

• Appointed R. DeMale Bowden, Jr. as Executive Director effective April 14, 2025 (Unanimous)
• Approved contract for General Counsel Carrie L. Jones at $300/hour, not to exceed $150,000 per year (5-0)
• Accepted Inspector's Report regarding 32 inspections (Unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Director's report on licenses and registry (Unanimous)
• Accepted Complaint Review Committee report (Unanimous)
• Accepted financial report for FY 24.25 (Unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will consider a contract and resolution for General Counsel Carrie L. Jones. The board will also discuss two lawsuits against it and a staff vacancy for an inspector.

• Contract review and Resolution for General Counsel Carrie L. Jones, Breazeale, Saschse & Wilson, L.L.P.
• Litigation: Marybeth Harrington v LSBEFD (Docket # 20124-00124)
• Litigation: Gary Lewis, New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service v LSBEFD (Docket # 2024-06195 and # 2024-06196)
• Executive session for board/staff matters, hearing deliberation, and legal consultation
• Personnel: Executive Director position appointment and Inspector vacancy

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Board issued a 30-day license suspension and a $1,500 fine to Gregory Strother of White Oaks Funeral Home for failing to answer three complaints. The Board also approved the executive director's license updates, the inspector's report, and the August 14 meeting minutes.

• Suspended Gregory Strother’s license (E-2031) for 30 days (unanimous)
• Ordered Gregory Strother to pay a $1,500 fine (unanimous)
• Ordered Gregory Strother to respond to complaints 23.24.0034, 24.25.0002, and 24.25.0004 by October 18, 2024 (unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Director’s license and registry update (unanimous)
• Accepted Inspector’s report (unanimous)
• Approved August 14, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted FY 24.25 financial report (unanimous)
• Accepted Complaint Review Committee’s report (unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will meet on September 18, 2024, to conduct a show cause hearing regarding White Oaks Funeral Home in Oakdale (cases 23.24.0034, 24.25.0002, 24.25.0004). The board will also review a contract for General Counsel James Garner, consider resolutions for two licensees, and receive reports from the executive director and inspector. Other business includes approval of minutes, a financial report for fiscal year 2024-25, and a complaint review report.

• Show cause hearing for White Oaks Funeral Home, Oakdale (cases 23.24.0034, 24.25.0002, 24.25.0004)
• Contract review for General Counsel James Garner
• Resolutions for Lesley Chaddick (E-1998) and another licensee (E-2089)
• Financial report for FY 24.25
• Executive session for board/staff matters, hearing deliberation, or legal consultation

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will meet to discuss several regulatory matters, including a request for license reinstatement, a contract review for the prosecuting attorney, and a casket display regulation. The agenda also includes reports from the executive director and inspector, a financial report, and a complaint review. An executive session is scheduled for board/staff matters and legal consultation.

• License reinstatement request by Evans Ussin
• Contract review for Prosecuting Attorney Chanel R. Debose
• Casket display discussion under LA R.S. 37:842 and Title 46 1107
• Resolutions for Kenneth Blair, Bessie Lovett, Burl Hathorn, Daniel Melancon, Joseph Mulherin, Conrad Savoie, and Marie Williams
• Financial report for fiscal year 2024-2025

The Board unanimously approved a contract for Prosecuting Attorney Chanel R. Debose and accepted reports on licensing, finances, and inspections. A discussion regarding casket display requirements was tabled until the September 18, 2024, meeting. The Board also reviewed 14 complaint recommendations from the complaint review committee.

• Approved contract for Prosecuting Attorney Chanel R. Debose (unanimous)
• Accepted reading of resolutions for seven deceased licensees (unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Director's license and registry report (unanimous)
• Accepted Inspector's report covering 75 inspections (unanimous)
• Approved meeting minutes from June 4 and 5, 2024 (unanimous)
• Accepted FY 24.25 financial report (unanimous)
• Accepted complaint review committee report on 14 cases (unanimous)
• Tabled discussion on casket display rules (LA R.S. 37:842) to Sept 18, 2024

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will conduct a formal hearing involving New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Loranzo Magee, and Gary Lewis. The board will also consider a resolution for Robert Andrel Allen and provide special recognition for Kirk Mabile.

• Formal Hearing: In the Matter of New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Loranzo Magee and Gary Lewis
• Resolution for Robert Andrel Allen U-1524
• Special Recognition for Kirk Mabile E-2222

The Board found Gary Lewis, Loranzo Magee, and New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service guilty of multiple statutory violations across two separate cases. The penalties include thousands of dollars in fines and fees, as well as license suspensions for Magee.

• Fined Loranzo Magee $2,000 and suspended his license for 30 days regarding the Jacob Hedrick case
• Fined Gary Lewis and New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service $24,053.50 in total fines and fees regarding the Jacob Hedrick case
• Fined Loranzo Magee $1,500 and suspended his license for 30 days regarding the Dante Gentile case
• Fined Gary Lewis and New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service $23,060.00 in total fines and fees regarding the Dante Gentile case
• Found Gary Lewis guilty of practicing funeral directing without a license (3-2 vote)
• Found Loranzo Magee and Gary Lewis guilty of taking an unreasonable amount of time to cremate remains (5-0 vote)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The board will hold a formal hearing concerning New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Loranzo Magee, and Gary Lewis. It will also discuss legislative bills from the 2024 Regular Session, receive reports from the executive director, inspector, and committees, and consider a financial report. An executive session is scheduled for board/staff matters and legal consultation.

• Formal Hearing - In the Matter of New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Loranzo Magee and Gary Lewis
• Legislative Bills Regular Session 2024 relevant to the LSBEFD
• Financial report – FY 23.24 / FY 24.25
• Complaint Review Committee report and recommendations
• Executive Session for board/staff matters and/or hearing deliberation and/or legal consultation

The Board unanimously accepted the inspector's report and the executive director's report, though staff salary increases were tabled. The board also approved a resolution of respect for Robert Allen and special recognition for Kirk Mabile.

• Approved resolution of respect for Robert Allen and recognition for Kirk Mabile (unanimous)
• Accepted executive director's report; tabled staff salary increases (unanimous)
• Accepted inspector's report (unanimous)
• Approved April meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Tabled financial report until June 5, 2024 (unanimous)
• Tabled complaint review committee report until August meeting (unanimous)
• Accepted Laws and Rules Committee report (unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will meet to discuss an emergency request for a temporary location for Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro. The board will also consider renewing general counsel services with the LA-DOJ and conduct a show cause hearing regarding New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service.

• Emergency request for temporary location for Paradise Funeral Home, Jonesboro
• Contract renewal for LA-DOJ general counsel services
• Show Cause hearing: New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Laranzo Magee and Gary Lewis
• Review of 2024 Regular Session legislative bills
• Financial report for FY 23.24 and FY 24.25

The Board fined Gary Lewis and New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service for unprofessional conduct regarding a failure to answer a complaint. The Board also approved a temporary location for Paradise Funeral Home and a legal services contract with the Department of Justice.

• Fined Gary Lewis and New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service $2,000 (unanimous)
• Approved temporary operation location for Paradise Funeral Home, Jonesboro (unanimous)
• Approved general counsel services contract with Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General (unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Director's report (unanimous)
• Accepted Inspector's report (unanimous)
• Accepted February 20 and March 12, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted financial report and budget projections (unanimous)
• Accepted complaint report (unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Board fined Gary Lewis and the New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service for unprofessional conduct regarding a failure to file a timely complaint answer. The Board also approved a temporary operating location for Paradise Funeral Home and a legal services contract with the Department of Justice.

• Fined Gary Lewis and New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service $2,000 (unanimous)
• Approved temporary operating location for Paradise Funeral Home, Jonesboro (unanimous)
• Approved legal services contract with Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General (unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Director's report (unanimous)
• Accepted Inspector's report (unanimous)
• Accepted February 20 and March 12, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted financial report (unanimous)
• Accepted complaint report (unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Board will conduct a meeting to review complaints and hold an executive session. The session is designated for discussing board or staff matters, hearing deliberations, and legal consultations.

• Complaint Review
• Executive Session regarding board/staff matters and legal consultation

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will hold a regular meeting on February 20, 2024. The agenda includes resolutions for two deceased licensees, reports from the executive director and inspector, financial and complaint reports, and an update on the Laws & Rules Committee. The board will also enter executive session for board/staff matters and discuss the executive director job position. Most items are procedural or informational.

• Resolution for the late Dominick Veillon (U-1229) and Norman Raymond Smith (E-1441)
• Financial report for fiscal year 2023-2024
• Complaint report continued to next meeting
• Update on Laws & Rules Committee meeting from January 10, 2024
• Discussion of executive director job position

The Board accepted the Executive Director's report on license renewals and the Inspector's report covering 32 facility inspections. A resolution was passed honoring three deceased licensees. The appointment for the Executive Director position was tabled.

• Approved resolution of sympathy for Velma L. Harrison, Dominick Veillon, and Norman Raymond Smith
• Approved Executive Director's report on renewals and new licenses (unanimous)
• Approved Inspector's report citing issues with hot water, embalming logs, and crematory containers (unanimous)
• Approved January 9, 2023, meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved financial report showing $334,248.61 in operating funds (unanimous)
• Approved Laws and Rules Committee report (unanimous)
• Tabled appointment for the Executive Director position

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Board will conduct a formal hearing regarding New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service. The agenda also includes discussions on unclaimed preneeds property and the election of board officers.

• Formal Hearing: In the Matter of New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Gary Lewis, Loranzo Magee
• Admission and Consent: In the Matter of Gayden Funeral Home, Jena
• Resolution to Honor Deceased Licensees Laverne Hester and Terolyn Harris
• Louisiana State Treasurer Request regarding Unclaimed Property Examination
• Election of Board Officers

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will hold a meeting to elect officers for 2024, consider a contract renewal with the Louisiana Department of Justice for general counsel services, and receive reports on inspections, finances, and complaints.

• Nominations and voting for 2024 officers (President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer)
• Resolution honoring deceased members Eddie Mae Brunson and Joe D. Hopkins
• Contract renewal with LA-DOJ for general counsel services (expires June 30, 2024)
• Executive Director's report and Inspector's report
• Update on complaints and Laws & Rules Committee meeting

The Board approved a contract renewal with the LA Department of Justice for general counsel services and elected its 2024 leadership. It also approved a delegate grant application for Mr. Bowden and accepted reports from the Executive Director, Inspector, and Complaint Review Committee.

• Elected 2024 Officers: Terry Luneau (President), Shelton Dixon (Vice-President), Gregory McKneely (Secretary), Stephen Boudreaux (Treasurer)
• Approved renewal of general counsel contract with LA Department of Justice (6-0)
• Approved legal fee schedule with a maximum annual cost of $45,000 (6-0)
• Authorized Executive Director Kim W. Michel to sign contractual obligations on behalf of the Board (6-0)
• Approved Mr. Bowden to apply for a delegate grant to attend the 120th annual Conference Meeting
• Accepted Executive Director's report and noted the closure of Brannum Funeral Home
• Accepted Inspector's report detailing 2023 compliance issues
• Accepted Complaint Review Committee report on 12 complaints