CMT CMT Grief Support & Family Services 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the mortuary technician's primary role when interacting with a bereaved family during arrangements?
- Providing compassionate, professional support while gathering necessary information (Correct answer)
- Offering personal grief counseling and therapy
- Making all decisions on behalf of the family
- Minimizing interaction to maintain professional distance
Correct answer: Providing compassionate, professional support while gathering necessary information
Mortuary technicians support families with empathy and professionalism, helping guide decisions while collecting the information needed for proper service.
Question 2: According to the FTC Funeral Rule, what document must be provided to a family member or consumer who visits a funeral home in person?
- General Price List (GPL) (Correct answer)
- Certified Death Certificate copy
- Embalming authorization form
- Next-of-kin verification form
Correct answer: General Price List (GPL)
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to give a General Price List to anyone who inquires in person so consumers can make informed choices.
Question 3: What is the appropriate response of a mortuary technician when a family asks about viewing a decedent in an advanced state of decomposition?
- Provide honest guidance about the condition while respecting the family's wishes and right to view (Correct answer)
- Deny the viewing request automatically
- Allow unrestricted viewing without any preparation
- Contact law enforcement before allowing viewing
Correct answer: Provide honest guidance about the condition while respecting the family's wishes and right to view
Professionals are expected to give honest, sensitive guidance about viewing conditions while ultimately honoring the family's legal right to view their loved one.
Question 4: 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 (Correct answer)
- Feeling intense sadness and withdrawal
- Refusing to accept the reality of the loss
- Feeling irritability and directing blame outward
- Reaching peace and acceptance
Correct answer: Attempting to negotiate or make deals to reverse or delay the loss
In Kübler-Ross's model, bargaining involves the bereaved attempting to negotiate with a higher power or circumstances in hopes of reversing or delaying the loss.
Question 5: What term describes the legal right of the next-of-kin to control the disposition of a decedent's remains?
- Right of sepulchre (Correct answer)
- Power of attorney
- Informed consent
- Right of disposition
Correct answer: Right of sepulchre
The right of sepulchre is the legal right held by the next-of-kin to control burial or other disposition of a deceased person's remains.
Question 6: When must a mortuary technician obtain written authorization before proceeding with embalming?
- Before embalming begins, from an authorized next-of-kin or legal representative (Correct answer)
- After embalming is complete, as a formality
- Only if the decedent had no insurance
- Only when the death was unattended
Correct answer: Before embalming begins, from an authorized next-of-kin or legal representative
Written authorization from the legally authorized next-of-kin or representative must be obtained before embalming to respect autonomy and meet legal requirements.
CMT CMT Grief Support & Family Services 1
Which of the following best describes the mortuary technician's primary role when interacting with a bereaved family during arrangements?