HB1392: HB1392 Funeral establishments; maintain at least eight caskets at each of its locations; revise requirement

Under current Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 43-18-70), licensed funeral establishments must keep at least eight caskets in stock at each of their locations, or be able to deliver caskets within 24 hours, as part of the state's licensing requirements for funeral homes. This bill amends that section to lower the required minimum stock of caskets from eight to one at each location. The rest of the section's requirements stay the same, including the requirement for a room that seats at least 30 people, a preparation room with sanitary flooring and drainage, a display room, at least one hearse with a current Georgia registration, and at least one church truck. The bill also keeps the option for funeral establishments to display models, mock-ups, or sections of caskets as long as actual caskets can be delivered within 24 hours. The bill repeals conflicting laws but does not state a separate effective date beyond standard enactment.

• Reduces the minimum number of caskets a funeral establishment must keep in stock at each location from eight to one under O.C.G.A. § 43-18-70.
• Leaves in place the option to display casket models, mock-ups, or sections as long as actual caskets can be delivered within 24 hours.
• Keeps unchanged the other facility requirements for funeral establishments, including seating for 30 people, a preparation room, a hearse, and a church truck.
• Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with the revised casket stock requirement.

Licensed funeral establishments and their owners across Georgia, along with embalmers and funeral directors who must practice only at licensed facilities, are affected by this change to the state's minimum inventory requirement for caskets.

Funeral homes would no longer need to keep as large a casket inventory on hand, which could reduce their storage costs and up-front investment, while families visiting a funeral home might see fewer caskets displayed in person before ordering one.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 43-18-70(b)(3) to change the required minimum casket stock at each funeral establishment location from eight to one.
• Section 1 retains the alternative that establishments may show models, mock-ups, or casket sections if actual caskets can be delivered within 24 hours.
• Section 1 leaves unchanged the requirements for a 30-person seating room, a sanitary preparation room, a hearse, and a church truck.
• Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws that conflict with the Act.

1. 2026-02-24House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-02-24House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-20House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-02-19House Hopper (House)

• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)Primary sponsor
• Floyd Griffin (D, HD-149)
• Patty Stinson (D, HD-150)

• funeral homes
• funeral director licensing
• consumer protection
• business regulation