Funeral Service Funeral Service Law & Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A funeral home's only public entrance has three steps, making it inaccessible for individuals who use a wheelchair. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), what is the funeral home's primary obligation?

Accepted Answer

To provide 'readily achievable' barrier removal, such as installing a ramp or lift.

Answer

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires places of public accommodation, including funeral homes, to remove architectural barriers when it is 'readily achievable' to do so. This means the business must make changes that are easily accomplishable and can be carried out without much difficulty or expense. Installing a ramp is a common example of readily achievable barrier removal.

Question 2

Which of the following is a key requirement of the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048) for funeral homes?

Accepted Answer

Conducting periodic air monitoring to measure employee exposure levels.

Answer

The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard specifically requires employers, including funeral homes, to perform air monitoring to determine the levels of formaldehyde employees are exposed to. This monitoring includes measuring the time-weighted average (TWA) and short-term exposure limit (STEL). If levels exceed the action level, further protective measures are required.

Question 3

A client purchased a pre-need contract for funeral goods and services that was funded through a life insurance policy. Five years later, the client moves to another state. What is the most likely characteristic of this type of pre-need arrangement regarding portability?

Accepted Answer

The client can typically reassign the funeral home as the beneficiary to a new provider in the new state.

Answer

Pre-need plans funded with life insurance are generally the most portable. The consumer owns the policy, and the funeral home is named as the beneficiary. If the consumer moves, they can typically change the beneficiary assignment to a different funeral home in their new location, allowing the funds to follow them.

Question 4

A decedent passes away without a will or a pre-arranged funeral plan. The deceased is survived by an estranged spouse, two adult children from a previous marriage, and a domestic partner of ten years. According to the general hierarchy of the right of disposition in most states, who has the primary legal authority to make funeral arrangements?

Accepted Answer

The surviving spouse, regardless of the state of the marital relationship.

Answer

In the absence of a written directive from the decedent, most state laws establish a clear hierarchy for the right of disposition. The surviving spouse is almost universally given the highest priority, followed by adult children, parents, and other relatives. The status of the marital relationship, such as estrangement, typically does not remove this legal right unless a legal separation or divorce has been finalized.

Question 5

A funeral home sells a family a pre-need contract for a casket. The funeral home purchases the specific casket and stores it in their warehouse, providing the family with a warehouse receipt as proof of ownership. From a legal standpoint regarding pre-need law, what is this practice known as and is it generally permissible for funeral merchandise?

Accepted Answer

Constructive Delivery; it is generally prohibited for funeral merchandise.

Answer

This practice is known as constructive delivery. However, for pre-need funeral goods, most state laws and regulations prohibit constructive delivery. The consumer's funds must be placed into a trust or insurance vehicle until the merchandise is actually, physically delivered at the time of death, not just stored on their behalf.

Funeral Service Test Practice Test

Funeral Service Test Practice Test

Funeral Service Funeral Service Law & Ethics Questions and Answers