BMS Funeral Service Law and Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the FTC Funeral Rule, how long must a funeral home retain price list documentation?
- 1 year
- 2 years (Correct answer)
- 3 years
- 5 years
Correct answer: 2 years
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to retain copies of price lists and itemized statements for at least 2 years.
Question 2: Which ethical principle requires a funeral director to act in the best interest of the family, even when it conflicts with the funeral home's profit?
- Autonomy
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Non-maleficence
- Justice
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence obligates funeral professionals to act in ways that benefit the client family, prioritizing their welfare.
Question 3: A family requests that their deceased relative be embalmed without disclosure of the cost. What must the funeral director do?
- Proceed as requested since family consented
- Provide the embalming price on the itemized statement (Correct answer)
- Waive the charge to avoid conflict
- Document only in internal records
Correct answer: Provide the embalming price on the itemized statement
The FTC Funeral Rule mandates itemized disclosure of all charges, including embalming, on the Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected.
Question 4: Which federal agency enforces the Funeral Rule that regulates funeral home pricing and disclosure practices?
- FDA
- CDC
- FTC (Correct answer)
- OSHA
Correct answer: FTC
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Funeral Rule, which went into effect in 1984.
Question 5: A preneed contract guarantees the price of funeral services at today's rate. What type of preneed contract is this?
- Non-guaranteed contract
- Guaranteed contract (Correct answer)
- Irrevocable contract
- Trust-funded contract
Correct answer: Guaranteed contract
A guaranteed preneed contract locks in current prices, with the funeral home absorbing any cost increases at the time of death.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'informed consent' in funeral service?
- Signing any document before services begin
- Family understanding and agreeing to services and costs before they are rendered (Correct answer)
- Verbal agreement from the next of kin
- Consent obtained after services are completed
Correct answer: Family understanding and agreeing to services and costs before they are rendered
Informed consent means the family has been fully educated about options and costs and voluntarily agrees before services are provided.
Question 7: Under most state laws, who has the highest priority to authorize final disposition of human remains?
- Adult child of the deceased
- Surviving spouse (Correct answer)
- Parent of the deceased
- Legal guardian at time of death
Correct answer: Surviving spouse
The surviving spouse typically holds the highest priority right to authorize disposition under most state statutory next-of-kin hierarchy laws.
BMS Funeral Service Law and Ethics 2
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, how long must a funeral home retain price list documentation?