Pennsylvania's failure to update rules that govern funeral homes and undertakers could wind up burying taxpayers.
 
A Harrisburg-based law firm is seeking nearly $1.4-million in attorneys' fees after successfully suing the state board that regulates the funeral industry. Post & Schell said its attorneys spent nearly 6,000 hours on litigation it contends will "have a profound, and positive, impact on the funeral profession and the public."
 
Earlier this month, a federal judge struck down key provisions of the state's 60-year-old Funeral Director Law, calling them antiquated and unconstitutional. Judge John Jones III also criticized the State Board of Funeral Directors for failing to update regulations on ownership of funeral parlors, the use of trade names and a host of other issues raised by the plaintiffs.
 
Ronald Ruman, a spokesman for the funeral directors board, declined comment Tuesday on either the ruling or the fee request. Some state lawmakers are pressing for an appeal.