Law and Ethics for Funeral Service

Catalog description

Prerequisite: Admission to the program This course is designed to introduce students to law and ethics as it relates to general small businesses and to the funeral profession. Major topics of funeral law include: sources of law, the legal status of the dead human body, the duty of burial, right to control funeral arrangements, final disposition, liability for funeral expenses, and torts involving the dead human body and the funeral director. Further areas of discussion include cemeteries, crematories, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to funeral service, and the legal aspects of being a licensed funeral director and/or embalmer. General law topics discussed include wills, estates, probate and related matters. Students will focus on the bodies of law and the judicial system in the United States to understand types of contracts, sale of goods, characteristics related to bailments (including common and private carriers), commercial paper, legal issues regarding agencies, employment, basic forms of business organization and methods of acquiring and transferring real and personal property. Ethical discussions will include how to facilitate higher ethical decisions, actions in proper treatment of the deceased and professional services to the bereaved. (F)