Public Meeting Notice  Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing Meeting - 6.2.26

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In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Registration of Embalming and Funeral Directing will be convening their monthly meeting. 

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing convened a regular monthly meeting on: 

June 2, 2026, in a hybrid format

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:05 A.M. the Chair, Paul Phaneuf, called the open meeting to order. 

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call. Where each member voted in favor, the vote will be reported as unanimous.

Board members present: 

• Paul Phaneuf, Chair
• Richard Gormley
• Rebecca Ridley
• Yesenia Aguilera
• Janet Leombruno, Public Member (Virtual. Left Meeting at 12:43 P.M)

Board members absent: 

• None

DOL Staff present: 

• James Curley, Executive Director 
• John Hill, Board Administrative Staff 
• Mike Ryan, Licensing Administrator 
• Peter Kelley, Board Counsel

1. Welcome and Swearing in of New Applicants
   1. Funeral Home Assistant Applicants
      1. Craig Baldessarini
      2. Jonathan Capulli
      3. Jonathan Jackson
      4. Thomas Richardson
      5. Kevin Zipps
      6. Brian Perez
   2. Embalming Apprentice Applicants
      1. AJ Borrelli
      2. John Duquette
      3. Maggie Esposito Russell
      4. Daisy McCarthy
      5. Lori Miranda
      6. Alyza Rentas
      7. Brigid McCarthy
      8. Patricia Alzaibak
      9. Evett Rivera
   3. Swearing in of Funeral Director Type 6 Applicants
      1. Nathan Davis
      2. Katie O’Leary
      3. Caitlyn Dubay-Martin
      4. Christie White
2. ReviewedApril 7, 2026, public meeting minutes.
   1. Janet Leombruno made a motion, and it was seconded by Richard Gormley, and the members present by majority VOTED: to accept the minutes as written
   2. Motion Passed – Roll Call:

3. Executive Director Report:
   1. Executive Director reported that there were 27 outstanding pre needs reports that have been sent to the Office of Investigations for review
   2. CEUs Approvals
      1. Rebecca Ridley made a motion, and it was seconded by Yesenia Aguilera and the members present by a majority VOTED: to accept the CEU Approvals
      2. Motion Passed – Roll Call:

4. Board Counsel Report:
   1. Nothing to report
5. Board Discussion and Votes:
   1. Application Review – 2026-1-FE-APP
      1. The board chair, Paul Phaneuf, requested a summary of what they do. Manda Ettaki, the Type 3, explained that perform NOR, or Natural Organic Reduction, human composting. None of the process will done in Massachusetts. Luke Ross from Western MA Transfer and Trade Service completes the removals, holds them at his location and then transports them to the airport. They will be transferred to the Maryland location where the NOR process takes place. The location in Hopedale, MA will not be used to store any bodies. All meetings with families will be done virtually. Richard Gormley requested more time to think about this application before making a decision. Richard Gormley made a motion to table. There wasn’t a second to the motion. The board continued to discuss details and ask the representatives from NOR Earth Funeral any questions they may have had.
      2. Rebecca Ridley made a motion, and it was seconded by Paul Phaneuf, and the members present by majority VOTED: to approve the application for NOR Services of Mass 
      3. Motion Passed – Roll Call:

6. Discussedother matters not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting. No Matters presented. 
7. Investigative Conference (M.G.L. c. 112, § 65C – Closed session)
   1. At 11:35 A.M. Yesenia Aguilera made a motion, and it was seconded by Richard Gormley and the members presented by majority VOTED: to exit Public Session and enter Closed Investigative Conference under M.G.L. c. 112, s 65C.
   2. Motion Passed – Roll Call:

8. Discussion of complaints prior to the issuance of an order to show cause: 

9. Adjournment – the next meeting is scheduled for July 7, 2026, at 10:00 A.M.
   1. Rebecca Ridley made a motion, and it was seconded by Richard Gormley and the members present unanimously,
   2. VOTED: to exit closed session, enter open session, thereupon to adjourn the meeting at 1:45 P.M.

Items relied upon during the open meeting

• Agenda for June 2, 2026 Board Meeting
• Minutes from April 7, 2026 Board Meeting
• Documents for the Application Review of 2026-1-FE-APP
• Swear in Statement for Type 6 Funeral Director Applicants
• Tentative License Report
• Documents used for CEUs Approvals

It is anticipated that the topics shown below will be discussed at the aforementioned meeting:

1. Welcome and Approval of New Applicants:
   1. Funeral Home Assistant Applicants
   2. Embalming Apprentice Applicants
   3. Swearing-in of Funeral Director Type 6 Applicants
2. ReviewMinutes of the following meetings: 
   1. April 7, 2026
3. Review/Discuss Reports:
   1. Executive Director Report
      1. CEU Approvals
      2. Pre-needs update
   2. Board Counsel Report
   3. Application Review
      1. 2026-1-FE-APP
4. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting
5. Executive Session (M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(1))
   1. To discuss individuals’ character, rather than competence
6. Closed session (M.G.L. c. 112, § 65C –Investigative conferences and settlement conferences)
   1. Discuss complaints prior to the issuance of an order to show cause
   2. Discuss terms of a negotiated settlement of complaint case:

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is July 7, 2026