Burial vs Cremation Laws
Section 1: General Definitions & Legal Status (1-15)
1. Burial is legally defined as:
A) The reduction of human remains to bone fragments by intense heat
B) The interment of human remains in the ground, a tomb, or a mausoleum ✅
C) The scattering of cremated remains
D) The donation of a body to science
2. Cremation is legally defined as:
A) The burial of remains in a cemetery
B) The reduction of human remains to bone fragments through intense heat and
flame ✅
C) Natural decomposition of remains
D) Alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation)
3. Which method of disposition is generally considered "irreversible"?
A) Burial (can be disinterred with permission)
B) Cremation ✅
C) Both are irreversible
D) Neither is irreversible
4. Cremation is considered a form of:
A) Final disposition ✅
B) Temporary preservation
C) Embalming
D) Temporary storage
5. Burial is considered a form of:
A) Final disposition ✅
B) Temporary disposition
C) Cremation
D) Embalming
6. Which disposition method is subject to a mandatory waiting period in most
states?
A) Burial
B) Cremation (typically 24-72 hours) ✅
C) Both equally
D) Neither
,7. The primary purpose of a cremation waiting period is to:
A) Allow the family to change their mind
B) Allow the medical examiner to investigate and rule out foul play ✅
C) Increase funeral home revenue
D) Allow time to purchase a casket
8. Which disposition method typically requires a concrete or metal outer burial
container (vault) depending on cemetery rules?
A) Cremation (no)
B) Traditional burial (often required by cemetery, not state law) ✅
C) Both require
D) Neither requires
9. A "natural burial" (green burial) generally:
A) Prohibits embalming and requires biodegradable materials ✅
B) Requires a concrete vault
C) Requires a metal casket
D) Is illegal in most states
10. Which disposition method generally requires a casket?
A) Burial (yes, or alternative container)
B) Cremation (no, an alternative container may be used) ✅
C) Both require a casket
D) Neither requires a casket
11. Which disposition method requires a specific authorization form separate
from the burial transit permit?
A) Burial
B) Cremation (cremation authorization form) ✅
C) Both
D) Neither
12. The legal term "interment" means:
A) Cremation
B) Burial in the ground or a tomb ✅
C) Scattering ashes
D) Embalming
13. The legal term "entombment" means:
A) Burial in the ground
B) Placement in a mausoleum or crypt above ground ✅
C) Cremation
D) Scattering
14. Which disposition method may be more strictly regulated regarding the
removal of medical devices (e.g., pacemakers)?
A) Burial (no special removal requirement)
, B) Cremation (pacemakers must be removed as they can explode) ✅
C) Both equally
D) Neither
15. Who has the legal authority to decide between burial and cremation?
A) The funeral home
B) The person with the right of sepulcher (next of kin or designated agent) ✅
C) The cemetery
D) The attending physician
Section 2: Cremation – Specific Legal Requirements (16-35)
16. In most states, cremation may not be performed until at least:
A) 6 hours after death
B) 24 to 72 hours after death ✅
C) 10 days after death
D) 1 hour after death
17. The cremation waiting period begins at the time of:
A) Death
B) Embalming
C) Authorization signing
D) Time of death or medical examiner release, depending on state ✅
18. A cremation authorization form must be signed by:
A) The funeral director
B) The person with the legal right to control disposition ✅
C) The attending physician
D) The cemetery manager
19. Some states require that all next of kin in the same priority level (e.g., all
adult children) agree to cremation. This is called:
A) Majority rule
B) Unanimous consent requirement ✅
C) Plurality rule
D) No consent required
20. If a state requires unanimous consent for cremation and one adult child
objects:
A) Cremation may proceed anyway
B) Cremation cannot proceed unless a court orders or family agrees ✅
Section 1: General Definitions & Legal Status (1-15)
1. Burial is legally defined as:
A) The reduction of human remains to bone fragments by intense heat
B) The interment of human remains in the ground, a tomb, or a mausoleum ✅
C) The scattering of cremated remains
D) The donation of a body to science
2. Cremation is legally defined as:
A) The burial of remains in a cemetery
B) The reduction of human remains to bone fragments through intense heat and
flame ✅
C) Natural decomposition of remains
D) Alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation)
3. Which method of disposition is generally considered "irreversible"?
A) Burial (can be disinterred with permission)
B) Cremation ✅
C) Both are irreversible
D) Neither is irreversible
4. Cremation is considered a form of:
A) Final disposition ✅
B) Temporary preservation
C) Embalming
D) Temporary storage
5. Burial is considered a form of:
A) Final disposition ✅
B) Temporary disposition
C) Cremation
D) Embalming
6. Which disposition method is subject to a mandatory waiting period in most
states?
A) Burial
B) Cremation (typically 24-72 hours) ✅
C) Both equally
D) Neither
,7. The primary purpose of a cremation waiting period is to:
A) Allow the family to change their mind
B) Allow the medical examiner to investigate and rule out foul play ✅
C) Increase funeral home revenue
D) Allow time to purchase a casket
8. Which disposition method typically requires a concrete or metal outer burial
container (vault) depending on cemetery rules?
A) Cremation (no)
B) Traditional burial (often required by cemetery, not state law) ✅
C) Both require
D) Neither requires
9. A "natural burial" (green burial) generally:
A) Prohibits embalming and requires biodegradable materials ✅
B) Requires a concrete vault
C) Requires a metal casket
D) Is illegal in most states
10. Which disposition method generally requires a casket?
A) Burial (yes, or alternative container)
B) Cremation (no, an alternative container may be used) ✅
C) Both require a casket
D) Neither requires a casket
11. Which disposition method requires a specific authorization form separate
from the burial transit permit?
A) Burial
B) Cremation (cremation authorization form) ✅
C) Both
D) Neither
12. The legal term "interment" means:
A) Cremation
B) Burial in the ground or a tomb ✅
C) Scattering ashes
D) Embalming
13. The legal term "entombment" means:
A) Burial in the ground
B) Placement in a mausoleum or crypt above ground ✅
C) Cremation
D) Scattering
14. Which disposition method may be more strictly regulated regarding the
removal of medical devices (e.g., pacemakers)?
A) Burial (no special removal requirement)
, B) Cremation (pacemakers must be removed as they can explode) ✅
C) Both equally
D) Neither
15. Who has the legal authority to decide between burial and cremation?
A) The funeral home
B) The person with the right of sepulcher (next of kin or designated agent) ✅
C) The cemetery
D) The attending physician
Section 2: Cremation – Specific Legal Requirements (16-35)
16. In most states, cremation may not be performed until at least:
A) 6 hours after death
B) 24 to 72 hours after death ✅
C) 10 days after death
D) 1 hour after death
17. The cremation waiting period begins at the time of:
A) Death
B) Embalming
C) Authorization signing
D) Time of death or medical examiner release, depending on state ✅
18. A cremation authorization form must be signed by:
A) The funeral director
B) The person with the legal right to control disposition ✅
C) The attending physician
D) The cemetery manager
19. Some states require that all next of kin in the same priority level (e.g., all
adult children) agree to cremation. This is called:
A) Majority rule
B) Unanimous consent requirement ✅
C) Plurality rule
D) No consent required
20. If a state requires unanimous consent for cremation and one adult child
objects:
A) Cremation may proceed anyway
B) Cremation cannot proceed unless a court orders or family agrees ✅
