CMT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CMT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the purpose of an 'aftercare' program in a funeral home setting? → Providing ongoing support and resources to bereaved families following the funeral service
2. Why is it considered unethical to suggest to a grieving family that a less expensive casket shows less love or respect for the deceased? → It constitutes emotional manipulation to exploit the family's grief for financial gain
3. Under the Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefit rules, which of the following costs is typically covered for an eligible veteran buried in a private cemetery? → A burial allowance toward funeral and burial expenses
4. Which term describes the postmortem drop in pH that contributes to rigor mortis? → Lactic acid accumulation causing acidosis
5. Which wax product is most commonly used in mortuary restorative art to fill deep tissue losses or cavities? → Modeling wax (mortuary wax)
6. In cases of cancer involving massive tumor growth, what embalming challenge is most commonly encountered? → Poor fluid distribution due to obstructed vessels
7. What is the primary purpose of the secondary chamber (afterburner) in a cremation retort? → To combust gases and particles from the primary chamber and reduce air pollution
8. What is the recommended disinfectant category for surfaces contaminated with human remains fluids under OSHA standards? → Hospital-grade tuberculocidal disinfectant
9. When performing embalming on a body with a pacemaker, what is the primary concern? → Pacemakers may explode during cremation if not removed
10. How long does a standard adult cremation typically take in a modern cremation retort? → 2 to 3 hours
11. What is the 'first call' in mortuary practice? → The initial response to retrieve the decedent from the place of death
12. When is it appropriate to use a higher injection pressure during arterial embalming? → When clots, arteriosclerosis, or vessel resistance impede fluid flow
13. What is a 'direct burial' according to the FTC Funeral Rule? → Burial without embalming or a formal viewing service
14. During embalming, the aspirated cavity contents are categorized as which type of waste under OSHA standards? → Other Potentially Infectious Material (OPIM)
15. What does the term 'visceral organs' refer to in mortuary anatomy? → Internal organs of the body cavities
16. What is 'sectional embalming' used for? → Injecting each body region separately when normal distribution is not possible
17. Which body condition requires the use of an isolation/containment pouch in addition to standard PPE during preparation? → Active tuberculosis (TB) decedent with open lesions
18. Why is a death certificate an important document in funeral services? → To monitor employee performance
19. Which law primarily governs the transportation of human remains across state lines? → Interstate Commerce Clause regulations and state reciprocity laws
20. What is the role of a 'designated agent' in the context of funeral service authorization? → A person appointed in writing by the deceased to direct disposition of remains
21. Which agency or entity in the United States is primarily responsible for issuing and maintaining the official death certificate form? → Individual state vital statistics offices, following NCHS model guidelines
22. What are some challenges associated with embalming? → Tracking customer feedback
23. Why are funeral service regulations important? → To track market trends
24. What is the purpose of pre-injection fluid used in embalming? → To flush the vascular system and improve subsequent arterial fluid distribution
25. What does the term 'extravascular resistance' refer to in embalming? → Resistance caused by clots within blood vessels
26. What is the purpose of a 'transit permit' in funeral services? → Allows transport of human remains to another jurisdiction
27. What is the primary purpose of using a humectant in embalming fluid formulations? → To retain moisture and prevent excessive tissue dehydration
28. Which of Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief describes the bargaining stage? → Attempting to negotiate or make deals to reverse or delay the loss
29. According to OSHA standards, which personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory during arterial embalming procedures? → Gloves, gown, face shield, and waterproof apron
30. When a decedent is brought to a funeral home and the identity is uncertain, what is the most reliable scientific method used for positive identification? → Comparison of dental records, fingerprints, or DNA against antemortem records