Membership Categories
There shall be eleven (13) categories of membership.
Section 1
The Association will consist of various membership categories, including but not limited to: Firm, Associate, Individual, Affiliate, Dual, Resident and Non-Resident Associate, Student, Retired, and Honorary members.
Section 2
Individuals who satisfy the criteria specified in the classifications above are encouraged to submit their applications for membership. Once approval is granted and the annual fees are paid, the applicant will be officially recognized as a member of the Association.
1. Firm Members (Funeral Homes)
A funeral establishment that possesses a valid business license issued by the Department of Inland Revenue (DIR), a compliance certificate, a physical location (a current and valid lease/proof of ownership) where business is conducted qualifies for Firm Membership in this Association.
Firm Members are granted voting rights within the Association, which can be exercised through either an open or secret ballot; however, no Firm Member is permitted to vote by proxy.
Each Firm Member’s vote must be cast by the Associate Member. Firm members have the right to designate up to (two) 2 Associate Members representatives, whose names must be officially recorded with the Association, to advocate for their interests and designated as their authorized representatives. Every Firm Member is permitted one vote on issues presented to the membership. It is required that everyone recognized as the firm’s representative possesses a diploma or degree from an accredited mortuary college or university. Diploma holders may be required to complete continuing education credits (CE) to maintain equivalency with degree holders.
2. Associate Members
Funeral directors and embalmers with a diploma or degree from an accredited mortuary college or university, along with verified employment and National Insurance Contributions payments from their employer (Firm Member), will be classified as Associate Members. These members enjoy voting rights within the Association and are eligible to serve in office and on committees. If an Associate Member disassociates from a Firm Member, their membership will be promptly canceled. Only those Associate Members whose membership is paid will have the right to represent their Firm Member during voting and are able to attend the Association’s Annual Convention.
3. Individual Members
To qualify for Individual Membership in this Association, an individual (full-time/part-time) that doesn’t possess a diploma or degree from an accredited mortuary college or university, must provide verification of employment and National Insurance Contributions payments from their employer (Firm Member), will be classified as Individual Members. Individual Members are not granted voting rights or the ability to hold office, but they can participate in discussions at general meetings. Only those Individual Members whose membership is paid will be permitted to attend the Annual Convention.
4. Dual Members
Those who possess diplomas or degrees from accredited mortuary colleges or universities and are employed as funeral directors or embalmers may be eligible for Dual Membership if they are members of various funeral associations. It’s important to note that while Dual Members cannot vote or hold office without also having Associate Membership, they are encouraged to take part in discussions at general meetings. Additionally, to attend the Annual Convention of this Association Dual Members membership must be paid.
5. Limited Members
A funeral establishment that possesses a valid business license issued by the Department of Inland Revenue (DIR), a compliance certificate, but doesn’t have a physical location (doesn’t have a current and valid lease/proof of ownership) where business is conducted but who works out of a Firm Members facility can qualify for Limited Membership. Limited Members are not granted voting rights or the ability to hold office, but they can participate in discussions at general meetings. Only those Limited Members whose membership is paid will be permitted to attend the Annual Convention.
6. Affiliate Members
Salespersons, manufacturers, representatives, and allied industry professionals engaged with the funeral service industry in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas with a current business license issued by DIR, a compliance certificate, Vehicle must not be older than 10 years (SUV’s, Limousine’s, Hearse etc.) may qualify for Affiliate Membership in this Association. Although Affiliate Members are not allowed to vote or assume office, they can participate in discussions at general meetings. To attend the Annual Convention, Affiliate Members must ensure their membership is paid.
7. Resident Non-Associate Members
Any funeral directors or embalmers holding a diploma or degree from an accredited mortuary college or university, who live in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and are not employed by or connected to a funeral establishment with a current business license from DIR, and who do not practice mortuary science on a full-time/part time basis, may seek Resident Non-Affiliated status. Those with this designation are not eligible to vote or hold office, but they can engage in discussions during general meetings. Attendance at the Annual Conference of this Association is for Resident Non-Associate members whose membership is paid.
8. Non-Resident Firm Members
A funeral establishment that isn’t registered in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas but possesses a valid business license along with other regulatory certifications in that country, a physical location (a current and valid lease/proof of ownership) where business is conducted qualifies for Non-Resident Firm Membership.
Non-Resident Firm Members are granted voting rights within the Association, which can be exercised through either an open or secret ballot; however, no Non-Resident Member is permitted to vote by proxy.
Each Firm Member’s vote must be cast by the Non-Resident Associate Member. Firm members have the right to designate up to (two) 2 Non-Resident Associate Members representatives, whose names must be officially recorded with the Association, to advocate for their interests and designated as their authorized representatives. Every Non-Resident Firm Member is permitted one vote on issues presented to the membership. It is required that everyone recognized as the firm’s representative possesses a diploma or degree from an accredited mortuary college or university. Diploma holders may be required to complete continuing education credits (CE) to maintain equivalency with degree holders.
9. Non-Resident Associate Members
Funeral directors and embalmers with diplomas or degrees from accredited mortuary colleges or universities, who do not live or work in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, along with verified employment and all regulatory contributions/taxes etc., with that country, are eligible to apply for Non-Resident Associate Membership. These members have voting rights within the Association and are eligible to serve in office and on committees. If Non-Resident Associate Member disassociates from a Non-Resident Firm Member, their membership will be promptly canceled. Only those Non-Resident Associate Members whose membership is paid will have the right to represent their Non-Resident Firm Member during voting and are able to attend the Association’s Annual Convention.
10. Non-Resident Individual Members
To qualify for Non-Resident Individual Membership in this Association, an individual (full-time/part-time) that doesn’t possess a diploma or degree from an accredited mortuary college or university, must provide verification of employment and all regulatory contributions/taxes etc., with that country from their employer (Non-Resident Firm Member), will be classified as Non-Resident Individual Members. Non-Resident Individual Members are not granted voting rights or the ability to hold office, but they can participate in discussions at general meetings. Only those Non-Resident Individual Members whose membership is paid will be permitted to attend the Annual Convention.
11. Student Members ($200.00)
Any individual studying at a mortuary school or participating in an apprenticeship and is able to provide proof of the same is eligible for Student Membership in this Association. Student Members are not granted voting rights or the ability to hold office; however, they may engage in conversations during the general meetings. The rights and privileges of Student Membership will be concluded once the student finishes their educational requirements or apprenticeship. Student Members whose membership is paid will be allowed to attend the Annual Convention of this Association.
12. Retired Members
Associate or Individual Members who have retired from their active roles are eligible for Retired Membership within this Association. Retired Members do not possess voting rights or the ability to hold office; however, they can contribute to discussions during general meetings. Retired Members whose membership is paid will be allowed to attend the Annual Convention of this Association.
13. Honorary Members
Individuals who have served as Associate or Individual Members of this Association for a minimum of five years, or those who have made significant contributions to the Association or the funeral service profession, may qualify for Honorary Membership. This eligibility is contingent upon a nomination and the approval of two-thirds of the Firm Members. Honorary Members do not possess voting rights or the ability to hold office, but they are permitted to participate during general meetings and can attend the Annual Convention of this Association once the membership is paid.
Section 3
Application for membership shall be in writing on forms furnished by the Association.