Georgia State Board of Funeral Service Practice Exam

In what circumstance may a funeral director inform the family of charges after embalming?

1. When permitted by law

2. When a service doesn't require embalming

3. When overall funeral costs increase

4. When they inform the family beforehand

The correct answer is: When a service doesn't require embalming

The accurate choice in this scenario is when a funeral director may inform the family of charges after embalming. Specifically, this situation arises when a service doesn't require embalming. In cases where embalming is not mandated by law or the family's wishes—perhaps due to the type of service being planned or the details surrounding the deceased—it is acceptable for the funeral director to clarify charges post-embalming, especially if the family was not informed of the necessity for embalming beforehand. In contrast, timing and communication regarding charges can vary significantly depending on specific regulations and practices. While it may seem intuitive to provide information beforehand or when required by law, those conditions can exist independent of whether a family had a chance to express their preferences regarding embalming. Therefore, the most prudent scenario for discussing charges after embalming is indeed when the service being planned does not specifically require the process itself.