As we previously reported, the Federal Trade Commission held a public workshop on September 7, 2023, seeking input on proposed changes to the Funeral Rule. You may view the video by visiting HERE. 

The workshop explored many issues including whether and how funeral providers should be required to display or distribute their price information online or through electronic means. The workshop covered topics such as online or electronic disclosures of price information; new forms of disposition of human remains; and the general price list mandated by the rule, and more.

The comment period remains open until October 10, 2023, and we encourage you to submit your comments.  Instructions for filing comments are available in a Notice that has been published in the Federal Register.  As stated in the workshop, this is an open regulatory review period.  The FTC staff will gather the comments, digest those comments, and make recommendations to the FTC Commission.  The FTC Commission will decide the next steps. 

Justin McLellan was born and raised in Appling County-Baxley, Georgia. He began working in funeral service at the age of twelve, going after school on Saturdays to cut grass and wash cars. This sparked an interest in the industry and led him to be more involved. As a young teenager and throughout his high school years, Justin helped with various service-related tasks. After graduating from Appling County High School in 1999, he began his apprenticeship. He attended and graduated from Brewton-Parker College and achieved his funeral service education from Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro. Justin has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2003 and a licensed life insurance agent since 2008.

Justin and his wife Jessica were married in 2002 and they have one daughter, Kerstyn. Justin also serves as Pastor of Riverside Baptist Church and serves on the board of directors of the Appling County Food Bank, the Baxley-Appling County Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of Appling County. Justin is a member of the Baxley Kiwanis Club, NFDA, GFDA, and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia.

Justin joined AGEG upon receiving his license. “I have always enjoyed the connections and friendships gained within the AGEG membership. Furthermore, the information learned at the Clinic each year and the ongoing updates are extremely valuable. I also appreciate AGEG keeping its membership up to date on things going on in and around the state as well as legislation and rule changes.”

Justin believes God places upon each of us a calling to serve Him and our fellowman. “Funeral service is very much a part of that calling for me. Once I recognized the fulfilling joy of serving others in this profession, it was obvious to me that this is a place where God called me to serve.” Justin has spent the majority of his career in funeral service within Appling County. He returned to Swain Funeral Home in 2013 after serving six years as the manager of Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home in Hazlehurst.

When asked what changes do you see coming in the future of funeral service, Justin replied “As with all walks of life these days, the funeral industry is definitely changing. With the effects of the economy and the ever-increasing trends toward less traditional funerals, there is no way to see what truly awaits us. However, there is one constant that I pray remains in all of us, that is the desire to see our industry adapt to the unavoidable changes while maintaining determination to remain a service to our beloved communities.”

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