CPC Ethics & Professional Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best defines 'informed consent' in the context of preplanning?
- A signature on a preneed contract
- The client's voluntary agreement based on full understanding of all material facts about the contract (Correct answer)
- A verbal confirmation that the client wants to proceed
- Completion of a state-mandated disclosure checklist
Correct answer: The client's voluntary agreement based on full understanding of all material facts about the contract
Informed consent requires that the client receive all material information, understand it, and voluntarily agree without coercion — a signature alone does not ensure genuine informed consent.
Question 2: A CPC must maintain client confidentiality, which means:
- Never discussing client details with anyone, including other funeral home employees who will serve the client
- Protecting personal, financial, and planning information from unauthorized disclosure (Correct answer)
- Deleting all client records after the preneed contract is signed
- Sharing client data only with the state licensing board
Correct answer: Protecting personal, financial, and planning information from unauthorized disclosure
Confidentiality requires protecting client information from unauthorized disclosure while still allowing appropriate sharing with colleagues who need the information to serve the client.
Question 3: What is the ethical concern with a CPC targeting recently bereaved individuals for preneed sales shortly after a family member's death?
- It is prohibited by FTC regulations
- Bereaved individuals may be emotionally vulnerable and unable to make fully autonomous, informed decisions (Correct answer)
- Such sales cannot be made without a notary present
- It violates HIPAA privacy rules
Correct answer: Bereaved individuals may be emotionally vulnerable and unable to make fully autonomous, informed decisions
Targeting recently bereaved individuals raises significant ethical concerns about exploitation of vulnerability and the ability to provide meaningful informed consent during acute grief.
Question 4: Which organization provides the CPC (Certified Preplanning Consultant) certification?
- National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) (Correct answer)
- Selected Independent Funeral Homes
- National Funeral Home Foundation (NFHF)
- Cemetery Consumer Service Council
Correct answer: National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
The Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) designation is administered by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and recognizes expertise in preneed funeral planning.
Question 5: A CPC who recommends a more expensive package than the client needs in order to increase commission earnings is committing:
- An FTC violation
- Upselling through ethical persuasion
- A conflict of interest and breach of fiduciary duty (Correct answer)
- A minor policy infraction
Correct answer: A conflict of interest and breach of fiduciary duty
Recommending products based on commission rather than client need is a conflict of interest that breaches the fiduciary duty owed to the client and violates professional ethical standards.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of continuing education requirements for CPC certification maintenance?
- To generate revenue for the certifying organization
- To ensure CPCs remain current with evolving regulations, best practices, and consumer trends (Correct answer)
- To satisfy state licensing renewal requirements
- To allow CPCs to specialize in a specific type of disposition
Correct answer: To ensure CPCs remain current with evolving regulations, best practices, and consumer trends
Continuing education requirements for CPC maintenance ensure that practitioners remain knowledgeable about changes in law, regulation, consumer preferences, and professional best practices.
CPC Ethics & Professional Standards 2
Which of the following best defines 'informed consent' in the context of preplanning?