North Carolina Funeral Law Practice Exam

A funeral director must complete and file a notification of death for a fetus of how many completed weeks of gestation or more?

1. 15 weeks

2. 20 weeks

3. 25 weeks

4. 30 weeks

The correct answer is: 20 weeks

In North Carolina, the requirement for filing a notification of death for a fetus is specifically set at 20 completed weeks of gestation. This regulation reflects the legal recognition of fetal death and establishes a threshold where the loss is acknowledged formally. The rationale behind this specific timeframe is linked to the developmental stage at which a fetus is considered viable outside the womb and the associated rights of parents and families. By setting the gestational limit at 20 weeks, the law aims to address both the emotional and administrative aspects of handling fetal death. This requirement ensures that deaths at a point where they are significant in terms of parental attachment and societal acknowledgment are documented appropriately.