Members: Funeral and Cemetery Board

Current board members

  • Hank G. Kerns, Chair
    Bellevue, WA 98007
    Term expires: July 1, 2014
  • Gary L. Clark, Vice Chair
    Spokane WA 99207-1805
    Term expires: July 1, 2014
  • Richard L. Knautz
    Yakima, WA 98909
    Term expires: July 1, 2012
  • Lydia M. Webb
    Yakima, WA 98901
    Term expires: July 1, 2016
  • Clifford A. Duncan
    Camas, WA 98607
    Term expires: July 1, 2014
  • Ronald R. Messenger
    Lakewood, WA 98499
    Term expires: July 1, 2015
  • James D. Letson
    Woodway, WA 98020-5221
    Term expires: July 1, 2015

Contact information

To contact board members, please email funerals@dol.wa.gov.

Interested in serving on the Funeral and Cemetery Board?

If you’re interested in applying for a position on the board, please visit the Governor’s website at http://www.governor.wa.gov/boards/default.asp.

What does the board do?

  • Examines and licenses funeral directors and embalmers within the state.
  • Investigates violations of state regulations related to the funeral and cemetery industry.
  • Recommends rules and regulations for administering licensing and regulatory laws.

Who is on the board?

The board consists of 7 members:

  • 3 licensed funeral directors or embalmers who:
    • Are residents of Washington State.
    • Have been continuously engaged as funeral directors or embalmers for the last 5 years.
  • 3 members who:
    • Are residents of Washington State.
    • Have actively administered a cemetery authority, or been a member of the board of directors of a cemetery authority, for the last 5 years.
  • 1 member of the general public who:
    • Is a resident of Washington State.
    • Hasn’t worked in or received financial benefit from the funeral and cemetery industry.

For more information about the board, please see RCW 18.39.173: Funeral and cemetery board — Membership — Appointment — Qualifications — Terms — Vacancies — Officers — Quorum.

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