Funeral Service Test Funeral Service Funeral Arranging and Directing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a death occurs at home without hospice care, who typically must be notified first?
- The funeral home only
- Local law enforcement or the medical examiner/coroner (Correct answer)
- The deceased's employer
- The Social Security Administration
Correct answer: Local law enforcement or the medical examiner/coroner
An unattended death at home generally requires law enforcement or the medical examiner/coroner to be notified before the body is moved.
Question 2: A family is indecisive about casket selection and feels pressured. The ethical funeral director should:
- Limit choices to two options to speed up the process
- Allow time, provide objective information, and never use high-pressure sales tactics (Correct answer)
- Suggest the most expensive casket for the best tribute
- Delay the arrangement conference until the family decides
Correct answer: Allow time, provide objective information, and never use high-pressure sales tactics
Ethical funeral directing requires patient, pressure-free guidance so families can make informed decisions.
Question 3: What information is typically gathered during a funeral arrangement conference for death certificate completion?
- Only the deceased's name and date of death
- Full legal name, Social Security number, date/place of birth, occupation, and next of kin details (Correct answer)
- Insurance policy numbers and beneficiary information
- Cause of death and attending physician's license number
Correct answer: Full legal name, Social Security number, date/place of birth, occupation, and next of kin details
The arrangement conference collects comprehensive biographical data needed to accurately complete the death certificate.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'direct burial'?
- Burial with embalming but no viewing
- Disposition of the body without embalming, viewing, or funeral service (Correct answer)
- A graveside service with no chapel component
- Burial within 24 hours of death regardless of services
Correct answer: Disposition of the body without embalming, viewing, or funeral service
Direct burial involves disposition of remains without embalming, viewing, visitation, or a formal funeral service.
Question 5: What is a 'tent card' used for in funeral directing?
- Marking the burial plot location
- Identifying floral arrangements for proper placement and return to donors (Correct answer)
- Labeling remains during transportation
- Providing directions to the cemetery for the procession
Correct answer: Identifying floral arrangements for proper placement and return to donors
Tent cards are placed with floral arrangements to identify the sender so flowers can be properly credited and returned.
Question 6: How should a funeral director handle a situation where two family members disagree about the type of service?
- Side with the majority of the family
- Proceed with the least expensive option to avoid conflict
- Identify the legally authorized next of kin and follow their decision while documenting the dispute (Correct answer)
- Postpone all arrangements indefinitely
Correct answer: Identify the legally authorized next of kin and follow their decision while documenting the dispute
The funeral director should defer to the legally authorized decision-maker and document any family disputes to protect all parties.
Question 7: At what point should the funeral director confirm final arrangements in writing with the family?
- After the service is complete
- Only if requested by the family
- Before any services are rendered, through a signed statement of funeral goods and services (Correct answer)
- At the time of payment only
Correct answer: Before any services are rendered, through a signed statement of funeral goods and services
The FTC Funeral Rule requires a written itemized statement be provided before services are performed and signed by the family.
