Article 5. Membership
A. Members of the federation
Membership in the Federation shall be comprised of the following classes:
- National Member: A national or international association representing funeral and/or thanatopractical service and organized in a particular nation or region may be recognized as a National Member of the Federation. Each country may have only one National Member. In the event, that a country does not have a national association as National Member of the Federation, any funeral service company may apply representing its country as National Member of the Federation.
- Active Member: State or provincial associations or funeral services companies that are affiliated with a National Member may apply to become an Active Member of the Federation.
- Associate Member: Any association, institute, society, business or individual that provides funeral or thanatological services or is otherwise interested in funeral or thanatopractical services and the activities of the Federation may apply to become an Associate Member of the Federation.
- Benefactor Member: The I.C.D. may designate any National Member, Active Member, or Associate Member to be a Benefactor Member in consideration of that member’s special contribution to the resources of the Federation.
- Member of Honor: The I.C.D. may designate individuals of any nationality who are particularly qualified in the thanatological professions or who have otherwise rendered important services to the Federation as a Member of Honor.
- Student Member: Any student who is enrolled in an institution of higher learning related to funeral or thanatopractical services or who is otherwise interested in the activities of the Federation may apply to become a Student Member of the Federation.
B. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Applicants seeking to become National Members, Active Members, Associate Members or Student Members of the Federation must submit a membership application to the I.C.D. via the Treasurer/Secretary. The Treasurer/Secretary will forward the application to the I.C.D. after consultation of the National Member of the application’s country. After the I.C.D. has ratified the application, it shall notify the applicant of whether the membership application has been granted. The I.C.D. need not provide explanations for its decision to grant or deny membership. All membership decisions of the I.C.D. may be reviewed and ratified or reversed by the membership at a General Meeting. Prior to being awarded membership in the Federation, the applicant must submit annual dues.