Legislative Updates

As SESCO has previously reported, beginning July 1, 2021, all Virginia employers will be subject to new state overtime pay requirements. Governor Ralph Northam signed into law the Virginia Overtime Wage Act on March 31, 2021. So why is this new law so critical to funeral home owners and licensed staff?

The Virginia Funeral Directors Association is bringing back their Mentorship Program. This is a great opportunity for interns, students and young professionals to have a knowledgeable resource available to them.

“We all miss the things that we used to do before the pandemic,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said, announcing the new guidance. “If you are fully vaccinated and want to attend a small outdoor gathering with people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, or dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households, the science shows – if you’re vaccinated – you can do so safely, unmasked.”

Thank you to those members who took the time to respond to our wage survey this month. See the results

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is set to launch the National Emerging Leaders Program on April 12 to help funeral service professionals develop leadership skills that will serve them well in any setting they may find themselves

FEMA announced that individuals will be able to begin applying for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance on April 12.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized FEMA to provide financial assistance to individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.