Funeral Service Test Funeral Service Funeral Arranging and Directing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'right of disposition' refer to in funeral service?
- The funeral home's right to choose burial method
- The legal authority to determine how a deceased person's remains will be handled (Correct answer)
- The state's authority to mandate cremation in certain cases
- A cemetery's right to refuse certain types of burial
Correct answer: The legal authority to determine how a deceased person's remains will be handled
Right of disposition is the legal authority granted to specific individuals (typically next of kin) to make final decisions about the remains.
Question 2: A family wants to include a video tribute during the funeral service. The funeral director's responsibility includes:
- Producing the video at no additional charge
- Ensuring audio/visual equipment is set up, tested, and functioning before the service begins (Correct answer)
- Requiring the family to bring their own equipment
- Limiting the video to five minutes per FTC regulations
Correct answer: Ensuring audio/visual equipment is set up, tested, and functioning before the service begins
The funeral director must ensure all audio/visual equipment is properly tested and ready before the service to prevent disruptions.
Question 3: What is the funeral director's role when a deceased's estate is in probate?
- Wait for probate to close before rendering any services
- File a claim against the estate for funeral expenses as a priority creditor (Correct answer)
- Refuse service until an executor is appointed
- Only accept cash payment until probate is resolved
Correct answer: File a claim against the estate for funeral expenses as a priority creditor
Funeral expenses are typically treated as priority claims against an estate, and funeral homes may file a claim to be paid from estate assets.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of 'personalization' in modern funeral directing?
- Using the same order of service for every funeral
- Incorporating the deceased's hobbies, career, or passions into the service elements (Correct answer)
- Offering only standard casket and vault combinations
- Limiting music to traditional hymns only
Correct answer: Incorporating the deceased's hobbies, career, or passions into the service elements
Personalization involves tailoring the service to reflect the unique life, interests, and personality of the deceased.
Question 5: When directing pall bearers, the funeral director should instruct them to:
- Walk as quickly as possible to the hearse
- Walk in step, maintaining an even pace, keeping the casket level at all times (Correct answer)
- Take opposite sides without regard to height differences
- Set the casket down whenever they feel fatigued
Correct answer: Walk in step, maintaining an even pace, keeping the casket level at all times
Pall bearers must walk in unison at a measured pace to keep the casket level and ensure a dignified procession.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'register book' at a funeral visitation?
- To track casket inventory
- To record the names of those who attended as a keepsake for the family (Correct answer)
- To document embalming chemicals used
- To list all floral arrangement costs
Correct answer: To record the names of those who attended as a keepsake for the family
The register book captures the names of attendees, providing the family with a lasting record of who paid their respects.
Question 7: How does a pre-need funeral arrangement differ from an at-need arrangement?
- Pre-need arrangements are legally non-binding
- Pre-need is planned and funded in advance by the individual before death, while at-need occurs after death (Correct answer)
- At-need arrangements always cost less than pre-need
- Pre-need arrangements cannot include cremation options
Correct answer: Pre-need is planned and funded in advance by the individual before death, while at-need occurs after death
Pre-need arrangements are made and often pre-funded by a living person, while at-need arrangements are made by the family after a death occurs.
