North Carolina Funeral Law Practice Exam

What information is NOT required on a certificate of cremation?

1. The name of the deceased

2. The location of the cremation

3. The name of the spouse or next-of-kin

4. The date of cremation

The correct answer is: The name of the spouse or next-of-kin

In the context of a certificate of cremation, the information that is not required pertains to the name of the spouse or next-of-kin. Certificates of cremation typically focus on the essential details related to the deceased and the process itself. Required information often includes the name of the deceased, the location of the cremation, and the date of cremation, as these elements are critical for record-keeping and legal compliance within funeral services. While it is common practice for funeral service establishments to collect information about the deceased's family, such as the spouse or next-of-kin, this is not mandated on the certificate of cremation. The omission of this detail highlights that the document's primary purpose is to provide a formal record of the cremation event rather than family lineage or relationships. Therefore, the lack of requirement for the name of the spouse or next-of-kin is consistent with the focus on documenting the cremation process itself.