North Carolina Funeral Law Practice Exam

What documentation does a funeral director need to receive when handling a body from a hospital?

1. Just verbal instructions

2. An official letter from the family

3. A written notice from the attending physician

4. A prearrangement contract

The correct answer is: A written notice from the attending physician

The documentation required for a funeral director to handle a body from a hospital is a written notice from the attending physician. This notice serves as a formal acknowledgment that the death has occurred and provides critical information regarding the cause of death, which is essential for the completion of death certificates and other legal requirements. It ensures that the funeral director has the necessary authorization to take custody of the remains and that all protocols are followed according to local and state regulations. The other options lack the formal requirement that a written notice entails. For example, verbal instructions may lead to misunderstandings or issues in documentation and are not legally sufficient. An official letter from the family could be important, but it's not a standard requirement for the transfer of the body. A prearrangement contract relates to the funeral services planned in advance but does not serve as authorization to handle a body after death has occurred. Thus, the written notice from the attending physician is essential in this context.