Funeral Services Funeral Laws & Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the FTC Funeral Rule's 'casket price list' requirement mandate?
- Funeral homes must show at least 10 caskets in person
- Funeral homes must give consumers a casket price list before showing caskets (Correct answer)
- Caskets must be priced at or below competitor rates
- Consumers must sign a waiver before viewing caskets
Correct answer: Funeral homes must give consumers a casket price list before showing caskets
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to offer consumers a casket price list before or at the beginning of any casket selection room presentation.
Question 2: Which document authorizes the release of a body to a funeral home?
- Burial permit
- Authorization for body removal (Correct answer)
- Transit permit
- Death certificate
Correct answer: Authorization for body removal
An authorization for body removal, signed by the legally authorized next of kin or legal representative, permits the funeral home to take custody of the remains.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'preneed' funeral contract?
- To lock in pricing for future funeral services arranged in advance (Correct answer)
- To authorize embalming
- To transfer a body across state lines
- To assign cemetery rights
Correct answer: To lock in pricing for future funeral services arranged in advance
A preneed funeral contract allows individuals to plan and pre-pay for their funeral services in advance, often at today's prices.
Question 4: Under most state laws, who is considered the primary next of kin authorized to make funeral decisions?
- Adult children
- Spouse or domestic partner (Correct answer)
- Parents
- Siblings
Correct answer: Spouse or domestic partner
In most US states, the surviving spouse or domestic partner has the highest priority in the next-of-kin hierarchy for making funeral decisions.
Question 5: What is the role of the medical examiner in funeral services?
- To approve embalming chemicals used
- To investigate deaths of unknown, suspicious, or violent cause (Correct answer)
- To issue burial permits for all deaths
- To inspect funeral home facilities
Correct answer: To investigate deaths of unknown, suspicious, or violent cause
The medical examiner investigates deaths that are sudden, unexplained, violent, or suspicious to determine cause and manner of death.
Question 6: Which federal law regulates the disposition of cremated remains in navigable US waters?
- FTC Funeral Rule
- Clean Water Act
- Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) (Correct answer)
- OSHA Maritime Standard
Correct answer: Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)
The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) permits burial at sea of cremated remains in US navigable waters under EPA oversight.
Funeral Services Funeral Laws & Regulations 2
What does the FTC Funeral Rule's 'casket price list' requirement mandate?