Title: Explain the financial aspects of the funeral arrangements, disposition, and estate law.
Course: Introduction to Mortuary Science (14299) > Section: Understanding Laws Related to Funeral Service Practice and Public Health

Explanation should include

- methods of payment
- responsibility of payment
- funeral charge
  - top priority
  - paid first
  - in proportion to value of estate

- a discussion of the differences between an estate and administration executor
- funding sources (e.g., prepaid funeral, life insurance, preplanning)
- funeral director's professional fee
- coffin or casket
- crematorium or cemetery fees
- floral tributes
- clergy fees
- newspaper notice
- transport (if necessary).

Teacher Resources:

- APPENDIX I - General Price List, (http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/funeral/fun_laws_regs.htm)
APPENDIX II - Casket Price List, Outer Burial Container Price List, (http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/funeral/fun_laws_regs.htm)
APPENDIX III - Itemized Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected, (http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/funeral/fun_laws_regs.htm).

Process/Skill Questions:

- How do the responsibilities of an administrator and an executor of an estate differ?
- What is the average length of time to wait for payment from an estate?
- How does common law in most states determine/influence who is to be paid first out of estate funds?
- What percentage of people have life insurance?
- What are the options for those who don’t have insurance?
- What is the major expense in planning a funeral?