North Carolina Funeral Law Practice Exam

Which individual is responsible for ensuring proper precautions during a death due to a communicable disease?

1. Funeral Director

2. Attending Physician

3. State Health Officer

4. Immediate Family

The correct answer is: Attending Physician

The attending physician holds the responsibility for ensuring that proper precautions are taken during a death due to a communicable disease. This role encompasses assessing the condition of the deceased, determining the nature of the communicable disease, and implementing appropriate safety protocols to protect others from potential exposure. The attending physician is equipped with the medical knowledge and authority to manage health risks associated with communicable diseases, including recommending specific procedures that the funeral home and family should follow. In cases of communicable diseases, the attending physician can provide vital information about the disease's transmissibility and the necessary protective measures to safeguard those involved in the handling of the body, as well as the general public. This responsibility emphasizes the importance of medical expertise in forming the guidelines that other parties must follow during the handling of remains to prevent the spread of the disease. While funeral directors play a significant role in managing funerals and may implement procedures based on physician recommendations, their primary responsibility lies in the logistics and operations of the funeral service rather than medical determination. The state health officer has authority over public health matters but is typically involved in broader health intervention rather than individual cases. Immediate family members are primarily concerned with personal mourning and decision-making and may not have the necessary medical background or information to ensure all precautions are effectively