A licensed funeral establishment must not operate without a licensed funeral director in charge for more than how many consecutive days?

In West Virginia, a licensed funeral establishment is required to have a licensed funeral director in charge at all times to ensure compliance with state regulations and maintain standards in the profession. The law specifies that a funeral establishment cannot operate without a licensed funeral director in charge for more than 30 consecutive days. This requirement helps ensure that professional oversight is consistently present within the establishment, thus protecting the interests of the public and ensuring that funeral services are conducted appropriately and ethically.

Having a licensed funeral director available at all times is crucial not only for legal compliance but also for providing quality service to families during their time of need. Allowing a longer duration without licensed oversight could lead to a decline in service quality and potentially violate regulatory standards, which is why the 30-day limit is firmly established in the regulations. The other durations listed as options exceed this limit, which would not support the necessary professional oversight in funeral operations.