The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Funeral director" means a person engaged in the profession or business of providing for the care, shelter, transportation, and arrangements for the disposition of human remains that may include arranging and directing funeral, memorial, or other services.

     (2) "Embalmer" means a person engaged in the profession or business of disinfecting and preserving human remains for transportation or final disposition.

     (3) "Two-year college course" means the completion of sixty semester hours or ninety quarter hours of college credit, including the satisfactory completion of certain college courses, as set forth in this chapter.

     (4) "Funeral establishment" means a place of business licensed in accordance with RCW 18.39.145, that provides for any aspect of the care, shelter, transportation, embalming, preparation, and arrangements for the disposition of human remains and includes all areas of such entity and all equipment, instruments, and supplies used in the care, shelter, transportation, preparation, and embalming of human remains.

     (5) "Director" means the director of licensing.

     (6) "Board" means the state board of funeral directors and embalmers created pursuant to RCW 18.39.173.

     (7) "Prearrangement funeral service contract" means any contract under which, for a specified consideration, a funeral establishment promises, upon the death of the person named or implied in the contract, to furnish funeral merchandise or services.

     (8) "Funeral merchandise or services" means those services normally performed and merchandise normally provided by funeral establishments, including the sale of burial supplies and equipment, but excluding the sale by a cemetery of lands or interests therein, services incidental thereto, markers, memorials, monuments, equipment, crypts, niches, or vaults.

     (9) "Public depositary" means a public depositary defined by RCW 39.58.010 or a state or federally chartered credit union.

     (10) "Licensee" means any person or entity holding a license, registration, endorsement, or permit under this chapter issued by the director.

     Words used in this chapter importing the singular may be applied to the plural of the person or thing, words importing the plural may be applied to the singular, and words importing the masculine gender may be applied to the female.

[2005 c 365 § 1; 2000 c 171 § 10; 1989 c 390 § 1; 1982 c 66 § 1; 1981 c 43 § 1; 1979 c 158 § 39; 1977 ex.s. c 93 § 1; 1965 ex.s. c 107 § 1; 1937 c 108 § 1; RRS § 8313.]

NOTES:

     Effective dates -- 1982 c 66: See note following RCW 18.39.240.

Number and gender: RCW 1.12.050.