BMS BMS Bachelor of Mortuary Science Grief and Bereavement Counseling Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which grief theorist developed the concept of 'continuing bonds' as an alternative to traditional detachment models?
- Dennis Klass (Correct answer)
- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
- William Worden
- Colin Murray Parkes
Correct answer: Dennis Klass
Dennis Klass, along with Silverman and Nickman, developed the continuing bonds theory which suggests maintaining a connection with the deceased is a healthy part of grief.
Question 2: A funeral director notices a bereaved spouse expressing intense anger toward hospital staff three weeks after the death. What type of grief response does this most likely represent?
- A normal acute grief reaction (Correct answer)
- Complicated grief disorder
- Disenfranchised grief
- Inhibited grief
Correct answer: A normal acute grief reaction
Anger directed at caregivers or medical professionals is a common and normal component of acute grief, particularly in the early weeks following a loss.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a funeral director conducting a needs assessment with a bereaved family during the arrangement conference?
- To identify emotional, cultural, and practical needs for personalized service planning (Correct answer)
- To determine the family's budget for funeral expenses
- To evaluate whether family members need psychiatric referral
- To document information required for the death certificate
Correct answer: To identify emotional, cultural, and practical needs for personalized service planning
A needs assessment helps the funeral director understand the family's unique emotional, spiritual, cultural, and practical needs to create a meaningful and supportive service.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes anticipatory grief in the context of mortuary science practice?
- Grief experienced before an expected death occurs (Correct answer)
- Grief that is delayed for months after a loss
- Grief expressed only through physical symptoms
- Grief that resolves within the first week of bereavement
Correct answer: Grief experienced before an expected death occurs
Anticipatory grief occurs when individuals begin mourning before the actual death, often during a prolonged terminal illness.
Question 5: According to Worden's Task Model of Mourning, which task involves the bereaved person adjusting to an environment without the deceased?
- Task III (Correct answer)
- Task I
- Task II
- Task IV
Correct answer: Task III
Worden's Task III focuses on adjusting to a world without the deceased, including taking on new roles and developing new skills.
Question 6: A mortuary science professional encounters a family where children aged 5-7 are present during arrangements. What is the most appropriate counseling approach?
- Use concrete, honest language appropriate to the children's developmental level (Correct answer)
- Exclude the children from all death-related discussions
- Use euphemisms like 'passed away' or 'went to sleep' to soften the impact
- Defer all communication about death to the family's clergy
Correct answer: Use concrete, honest language appropriate to the children's developmental level
Children aged 5-7 are in the concrete operational stage and benefit from honest, age-appropriate language that avoids confusing euphemisms.
BMS BMS Bachelor of Mortuary Science Grief and Bereavement Counseling Questions and Answers 2
Which grief theorist developed the concept of 'continuing bonds' as an alternative to traditional detachment models?