Article 4. Membership

1. The membership of the EFFS comprises regular members, extraordinary members and honorary members or honorary presidents. Applications for membership shall be made in writing and addressed to the Executive Director.
2. Natural persons or legal entities seeking regular membership can do so on condition that they have their registered office in a country that is geographically considered to be part of Europe, and that they exercise their profession in Europe. The following may become regular members:
a) National funeral directors associations of those countries which are 80% inside geographical Europe and with at least 80% of their population within geographical Europe (hereinafter referred to as “National Members”);¹
b) Regional funeral directors associations and funeral directors (hereinafter referred to as “Individual Members”).
¹ All European countries with territories outside of geographical Europe but with 80% of their main geographical area and majority population within geographical Europe may also apply for membership as Individual Members.

3. Natural persons or legal entities whose registered office is not in a European country and/or who do not exercise their profession primarily in Europe may be admitted as extraordinary members. Other associations, corporate entities or establishments who provide products to, or whose activities are related to funeral services, such as cemeteries and crematoria, may become extraordinary members as well.
4. Upon request of the Board, the General Assembly may admit natural persons or legal entities that have rendered valuable services in a scientific, cultural or social field, or that have rendered any particular service to the profession as honorary members or honorary presidents. Honorary members or honorary presidents may participate in General Assemblies in an advisory capacity or may be called to serve on Working Committees.
5. The Board shall take decisions regarding the admission of members on the basis of applications received. Should the country in which the applicant is based already be represented within the EFFS by one or more National Members, the Board shall seek the opinion of these associations prior to taking a decision. Membership commences upon admission by the Board. In the event that the application is rejected, the applicant may lodge an appeal with the General Assembly. At each regular General Assembly, the Board shall report on the admission of new members and on any rejections of applications since the last General Assembly.
6. Membership shall expire upon the death or resignation of a member following notification thereof, upon deletion or exclusion, or for corporate entities, at such time that they lose their status of a legal entity.
7. Resignation shall be permitted only after notice thereof has been duly given in writing. This written notice of resignation must be submitted to the Executive Director at least six months prior to year end, i.e. by 30 June of the calendar year in question.
8. The Board may revoke membership if a member has defaulted on payment of the membership fees for more than two consecutive years in spite of two reminders. A revocation of membership does not release the member from its obligation to pay the membership fees that have accrued up to that date.
9. Members may be excluded on the grounds of gross neglect of duty by unanimous decision of the Board. The member concerned is not allowed to vote. In this case, the member concerned must be informed of such decision in writing no later than five months prior to the scheduled date of the next General Assembly. The member may lodge a written appeal against this exclusion with the General Assembly.
10. Upon termination of membership, members shall not be entitled to claim any of the assets of the EFFS; membership dues paid to EFFS will in no event be reimbursed.