29 September 2005

Governor Sebelius adds Kansas City voice to mortuary arts board

William H. Young is Governor Kathleen Sebelius’ newest appointment to the State Board of Mortuary Arts. He will serve a three-year term.

“Funeral directors play an important role during times of sorrow and grief. They interact with families in vulnerable and emotional moments, so we must ensure funeral homes statewide adhere to strict standards,” Governor Sebelius said.

The board, which is a continuation of the Board of Embalming, conducts inspections of funeral establishments as necessary to ensure high standards and to protect Kansans.

Young, Lake Quivira, has owned and operated Maple Hill Funeral Home in Kansas City, Kan., since 1973. For eight years prior to 1973, he was the funeral director and embalmer at Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee. Young is a commander and team leader for the National Disaster Medical System and the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team for Region VII. He has been a member of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors, past president of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association, and past president of the Kansas Embalmers Eye Eneucleation Association. Between 1995 and 2004, he served as disaster chairman for Kansas Funeral Directors.