BMS Mortuary Law and Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the FTC Funeral Rule, how long must a funeral home retain its price lists?
- One year (Correct answer)
- Two years
- Three years
- Five years
Correct answer: One year
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral providers to retain copies of their price lists for at least one year after the date of their last distribution.
Question 2: Which document authorizes a funeral director to transport human remains across state lines?
- Burial transit permit (Correct answer)
- Death certificate
- Authorization for disposition
- Embalming consent form
Correct answer: Burial transit permit
A burial transit permit (also called a disposition permit) is required by most states when transporting human remains across state lines.
Question 3: A family requests that their deceased relative's ashes be divided among six family members. What ethical concern must the funeral director address first?
- Confirming who holds legal authority to authorize disposition (Correct answer)
- Ensuring each container is properly labeled
- Charging a separate cremation fee per container
- Verifying the crematory has sufficient capacity
Correct answer: Confirming who holds legal authority to authorize disposition
The funeral director must first identify and confirm the person with legal next-of-kin authority before honoring any disposition request.
Question 4: Which federal agency enforces the Funeral Rule that governs funeral home pricing disclosures?
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Correct answer)
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Correct answer: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Funeral Rule, which requires funeral providers to give consumers itemized price information.
Question 5: A funeral director discovers that a deceased person had a legally valid pre-need contract, but the surviving spouse wants different services. What should the director do?
- Honor the pre-need contract unless the authorized agent legally modifies it (Correct answer)
- Follow the surviving spouse's wishes as next of kin automatically supersedes pre-need
- Void the pre-need contract and charge current prices
- Contact state regulators before proceeding
Correct answer: Honor the pre-need contract unless the authorized agent legally modifies it
A valid pre-need contract is a legal document, and changes require authorization from the legally designated agent or next of kin per applicable state law.
Question 6: What is the primary ethical principle violated when a funeral director accepts a kickback from a cemetery for steering families to that location?
- Non-maleficence
- Autonomy
- Justice (Correct answer)
- Beneficence
Correct answer: Justice
Accepting kickbacks violates the principle of justice by creating a conflict of interest that unfairly influences the director's recommendations at the family's expense.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT required to be disclosed on a funeral home's General Price List under the FTC Funeral Rule?
- The owner's personal salary (Correct answer)
- Basic services fee
- Direct cremation price
- Immediate burial price
Correct answer: The owner's personal salary
The FTC Funeral Rule does not require disclosure of the funeral home owner's personal salary; it requires itemized pricing for services and merchandise.
BMS Mortuary Law and Ethics 2
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, how long must a funeral home retain its price lists?