It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, association or organization to organize, operate, or in any way solicit members for a burial association, or for participation in any plan, scheme, or device similar to burial associations, without the written authority of the Board of Funeral Service,? and any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor; provided, however, the Board of Funeral Service shall not withhold authority for the organization or operation of a bona fide burial association, meeting the requirements of this Article, unless it shall be found and established to the satisfaction of the Board of Funeral Service that the person or persons applying for authority to organize and operate such bona fide burial association is disqualified or does not meet the requirements of this Article. (1941, c. 130, s. 7; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1993, c. 539, s. 1043; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)