McIntyre's pre-need license suspended
By Staff Reports
Published in News on January 21, 2010 1:46 PM
McIntyre Funeral Home has had its pre-need establishment license suspended by the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service for failing to follow state guidelines regarding pre-need services.
The suspension is for six months. It will be followed by a three-year period of probation.
An investigator with the state board found that McIntyre violated several rules governing pre-need contracts, including failing to file pre-need contracts within 10 days of sale, as is required by law; failing to report new insurance policies; failing to maintain accurate pre-need records; failing to retain insurance assignment and beneficiary information in its active pre-need contract files; failing to report an insurance policy, failing to file certificates of performance within 30 days of the death of several clients, as required by law, overcharging two clients for $148.23 and $14.57 and failing to reimburse them; and processing an insurance policy for a client that was not registered as part of her pre-need contract. The funeral home retained the proceeds of the policy, which amounted to $9,380.51.
In its reports, the state board said that after its pre-need establishment license is restored, the funeral home must not violate any applicable law and remain in full compliance with state regulations or face sterner punishment.
A second six-month suspension of the funeral home's pre-need sales license will take effect upon the restoration of its preneed establishment license.
McIntyre's staff also will be required to complete a continuing education course concerning pre-need laws, regulations and record-keeping.
All of the funeral home's current pre-need funeral contracts will be held by the state board until the end of the suspension period.
The board's finding was dated Dec. 31, 2009.