What qualifies as unlawful practices in the provision of funeral services?

Engaging in deceptive advertising or misrepresenting services constitutes an unlawful practice in the provision of funeral services because it undermines the trust and transparency that are essential in this industry. Funeral service providers are responsible for ensuring that the information they provide to the public is accurate and truthful. Misrepresentation can lead to clients making decisions based on false or misleading information, which can have severe emotional and financial repercussions for them.

Deceptive advertising may include exaggerating the benefits of certain services, omitting critical information, or presenting services in a way that intentionally confuses clients about what they are actually receiving. Such practices violate regulations designed to protect consumers and maintain ethical standards within the profession.

While offering services at a lower price than competitors and providing discounts and promotions can be considered competitive business practices, they do not inherently violate laws unless accompanied by deception or misrepresentation. Hiring unlicensed staff, while a concern for professional standards and compliance, also falls under a different category of regulatory issues than those surrounding advertising and representation.