Funeral director assistants; authorize to perform all activities of funeral directors with certain exceptions.

HB 854 allows funeral director assistants, under a licensed funeral director's supervision, to perform nearly all tasks a funeral director can do - including preparing bodies and handling paperwork - but explicitly excludes them from making funeral arrangements (like selecting caskets or services). This bill directly affects funeral director assistants, their supervising licensed funeral directors, and funeral homes in Mississippi. The key change expands the assistants' scope of practice while maintaining the requirement for licensed directors to oversee arrangements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.