State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors public meetings in 2025

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors meets to discuss licensing fees, disciplinary matters, and proposed rule changes. The board will also review a financial report, complaint processes, and continuing education requirements. No major decisions are scheduled, but several items require discussion and potential approval.

• Review of Other State Licensing Fees and Renewals
• Review of Proposed Rule Changes from the Laws and Rules Committee
• Review and Approval of revised Continuing Education Attendance Certification Roster
• Formalization of the Complaint Review Committee – Structure and the Complaint Process
• Disciplinary Matters review including multiple lawsuits (e.g., Marybeth Harrington v LSBEFD, Docket #20124-00124)

The Board elected Willie Davis, Jr. as Vice President, Kelly Rush Savoy as Secretary, and Charles Joseph Eagan, III as Treasurer. The Board also approved a resolution to formalize the Complaint Review Committee's structure and process and accepted a response to EO 25-038 Administrative Rules and Regulations.

• Approved resolution to formalize Complaint Review Committee (CRC) structure and process (Unanimous)
• Elected Willie Davis, Jr. as Vice President (Unanimous)
• Elected Kelly Rush Savoy as Secretary (Unanimous)
• Elected Charles Joseph Eagan, III as Treasurer (Unanimous)
• Accepted response to EO 25-038 Administrative Rules and Regulations (Unanimous)
• Approved Revised Continuing Education Attendance Certification Roster removing notary area (Unanimous)
• Accepted October 2025 meeting minutes with changes (Unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Director, Financial, Inspector, and Complaint Review reports (Unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Board accepted an Admission and Consent agreement and issued multiple fines against White Oaks Funeral Home and Gregory Strother for fund and reporting violations. The Board also amended a prosecuting attorney's contract and removed the notarization requirement for continuing education rosters.

• Fined White Oaks Funeral Home and Gregory Strother $1,800 for 11 counts of unprofessional, unethical, or dishonest conduct
• Fined White Oaks Funeral Home and Gregory Strother $4,500 for 4 counts of failing to deposit funds into a preneed insurance policy
• Fined White Oaks Funeral Home and Gregory Strother $4,500 for 4 counts of failing to deposit funds into a funeral trust account
• Fined White Oaks Funeral Home and Gregory Strother $4,500 for 14 counts of failing to file annual report of funeral trust account
• Fined White Oaks Funeral Home and Gregory Strother $4,500 for 4 counts of unlawful access and use of personnel funds
• Ordered White Oaks Funeral Home and Gregory Strother to pay all fines and attorney fees within 45 days
• Approved contract amendment for Prosecuting Attorney Chanel R. Debose
• Removed notarization requirement from the continuing education roster

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will hold a public meeting to discuss a potential fee increase, a contract amendment with law firm Breazeale, Sachse, and Wilson, and restructuring of the Complaint Review Committee. The board will also hear disciplinary cases against several funeral homes, including contempt hearings for White Oaks Funeral Home and St. Edwards Funeral Home.

• Discussion regarding fee increase
• Attorney contract amendment with Breazeale, Sachse, and Wilson, LLP
• Contempt hearing: White Oaks Funeral Home, Oakdale (Case #23.24.0034)
• Contempt hearing: St. Edwards Funeral Home, Bunkie (Case #23.24.0030)
• Hearing: Murray Henderson Funeral Home, New Orleans (Case #23.24.0020)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will consider several attorney contract amendments and a new contract for a hearing officer, plus a continued case against Murray Henderson Funeral Home. The board will also discuss an executive order and receive reports on finances, inspections, and complaints.

• Continued disciplinary matter: In the Matter of Murray Henderson Funeral Home
• Attorney contract amendment for August 2025 with Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein and Hilbert, LLC
• Attorney contract amendment for September 2025 with Breazeale Sachse and Wilson, LLP
• New attorney contract for October 2025 with John W. Becknell, Hearing Officer
• Discussion of Executive Order JML 25-038

The Board approved three attorney contract amendments and a resolution allowing the Executive Director to sign contracts. It also agreed to collaborate with the LA State Treasury regarding unclaimed pre-need funds and accepted the admission and consent of licensee Tremaine Starlard.

• Approved collaboration with LA State Treasury regarding unclaimed pre-need funds (unanimous)
• Accepted admission and consent from licensee Tremaine Starlard (unanimous)
• Approved attorney contract with Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein and Hilbert, LLC (unanimous)
• Approved attorney contract amendment for Breazeale Sachse and Wilson, LLP (unanimous)
• Approved attorney contract for Hearing Officer John W. Becknell (unanimous)
• Approved resolution for Executive Director Kim Michel to sign contracts on behalf of the board (unanimous)
• Approved motion to invite Louisiana Cemetery Board staff to the next meeting (unanimous)
• Approved March 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The board will hold a contempt hearing for White Oaks Funeral Home and Gregory Strother of Oakdale. It will also discuss three pending lawsuits and personnel issues in executive session. The meeting is open to the public in person and online.

• Contempt hearing: In the Matter White Oaks Funeral Home, Gregory Strother, Oakdale
• Litigation report: Marybeth Harrington v LSBEFD (Docket # 20124-00124)
• Litigation report: Gary Lewis, New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service v LSBEFD (two cases, Dockets # 2024-06195 and # 2024-06196)
• Personnel issues discussed in executive session

The Board penalized Gregory Strother and White Oaks Funeral Home for failing to abide by subpoenas. The Board also held an executive session to discuss personnel issues and four litigation matters.

• Fined Gregory Strother $2,500 per case for a total of $5,000 (4-1-0)
• Suspended Gregory Strother's personal license for six months (4-1-0)
• Suspended White Oaks Funeral Home establishment license for 45 days effective March 17, 2025 (4-1-0)
• Required White Oaks Funeral Home to post public notice of suspension (4-1-0)
• Directed staff to proceed with formal hearings for Complaint No. 23.24.0034 and No. 24.25.0004
• Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Board issued sanctions against Gregory Strother and White Oaks Funeral Home for failing to abide by subpoenas. The Board also held an executive session to receive reports on four litigation matters.

• Fined Gregory Strother $2,500 for contempt in case No. 23.24.0034 (4-1 with one abstention)
• Fined Gregory Strother $2,500 for contempt in case No. 24.25.0004 (4-1 with one abstention)
• Suspended personal license of Gregory Strother for six months (4-1 with one abstention)
• Suspended White Oaks Funeral Home establishment license for 45 days effective March 17, 2025 (4-1 with one abstention)
• Required White Oaks Funeral Home to post a public notice of license suspension (4-1 with one abstention)
• Directed Board staff to proceed with formal hearings for Complaint No. 23.24.0034 and No. 24.25.0004

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Board held a formal hearing regarding St. Edwards’s Funeral Home and a show cause hearing for licensee Tremaine Starlard. The Board rendered orders in both matters following executive sessions. Additionally, the Board unanimously accepted several administrative and financial reports.

• Accepted Executive Director’s Report (unanimous)
• Accepted Financial Report – FY 24.25 Budget Projection v Actual to Date (unanimous)
• Accepted Inspector’s Report (unanimous)
• Accepted Complaint Review Report (unanimous)
• Approved February 12, 2025, meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Rendered order regarding St. Edwards’s Funeral Home, Darlene St. Romain, and Tremain Starlard
• Rendered order regarding contempt hearing for licensee Tremain Starlard

State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will conduct a formal hearing and review admission and consent matters. The board will also discuss a request from the Louisiana State Treasurer regarding unclaimed preneed property.

• Formal hearing: New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, Gary Lewis, and Loranzo Magee
• Admission and Consent: Gayden Funeral Home, Jena
• Louisiana State Treasurer request regarding unclaimed preneeds examination
• Resolutions to honor deceased licensees Laverne Hester and Terolyn Harris
• Executive session regarding litigation involving Marybeth Harrington and Gary Lewis

The Board elected its leadership for 2025 and approved several administrative reports. It also accepted an admission and consent agreement and issued a fine to a licensee. A formal hearing for New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service was continued.

• Fined Charles Gayden and Gayden Funeral Home of Jena $1,250 plus court reporter and attorney costs
• Elected Rev. S. C. Dixon as President
• Elected Stephen Boudreaux as Vice President
• Elected Juan Joseph as Secretary
• Elected Gregory McKneely as Treasurer
• Accepted admission and consent from licensee Charles Gayden (unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Director, Financial, Inspector, and Complaint Review reports (unanimous)
• Approved meeting minutes from December 11, 2024 (unanimous)