The US Supreme Court will hear a case involving anti-gay protests at a military funeral.  While at first glance this may seem to be far removed from our realm of experience, this case has important implications for all of us in the funeral industry.  The case concerns First Amendment free speech concerns and a private individual's funeral and his family's desire to honor his death in a private fashion. One of the factors that will surely influences the justices concerns the fact that the protests involve a matter of public policy.  The case will be heard during the Court's next terms beginning in October.

The notoriety of this case has led 40 states to enact legislation restricting funeral protests and none of that legislation is up for debate in Snyder v Phelps case.