Alabama Board of Funeral Service State Law Exam
Questions with Correct Answers 2026 | Funeral
Director Licensing Prep Alabama Board of Funeral
Service State Law Exam – Comprehensive Scenario-
Based Practice Questions & Explanations
1.
A funeral director in Montgomery receives a request from a family to
embalm a deceased individual whose body has been in the mortuary
for 72 hours. The family specifies that they do not want embalming and
will proceed with direct cremation. The body shows visible signs of soft
tissue decomposition. What should the funeral director do first?
A. Proceed with direct cremation without embalming.
B. Embalm the body immediately, regardless of the family’s wishes.
C. Notify the family of the condition and recommend embalming or
refrigeration before proceeding.
D. Wait for the family to change their mind.
Correct Answer: C
,Explanation: Alabama law and public health standards require that
funeral service professionals ensure that human remains are handled in
a manner that protects public health. If decomposition is evident, the
funeral director must advise the family that further action (embalming
or refrigeration) is necessary to prevent public health risks — even if
the family prefers direct cremation.
2.
During an inspection by the Alabama Board of Funeral Service, an
inspector notes that the funeral home’s refrigeration units are
operating at 52°F (11°C). According to state law, records show that
refrigeration must maintain a temperature of 40°F (4°C) or lower. The
director claims they were unaware of the temperature requirement.
What is the appropriate action the inspector should take?
A. Leave the funeral home without enforcing anything.
B. Issue a notice of deficiency and require corrective action.
C. Shut down the funeral home immediately.
D. Recommend the director attend a training session.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Alabama regulations specify refrigeration standards to
ensure the preservation of remains and to safeguard public health. The
inspector should document the deficiency and require corrective action
— such as repairing the unit and documenting proper monitoring —
,rather than taking extreme immediate closure unless there is an
imminent public health threat.
3.
A decedent’s next‑of‑kin provides a handwritten authorization for
cremation. Later, another relative produces a notarized power of
attorney authorizing cremation and demands the funeral home release
the body. The power of attorney was signed three days before death.
The handwritten authorization is older but executed by the primary
next‑of‑kin. According to Alabama law, which authorization controls?
A. The handwritten authorization always controls.
B. The notarized power of attorney always controls.
C. The written authorization from the person with legal priority as
defined by state law controls.
D. The funeral home may choose whichever is more convenient.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Alabama law outlines a specific priority order for
decision‑making authority regarding disposition of human remains. A
power of attorney does not automatically grant authority unless
expressly allowed and specifically executed for disposition decisions.
The funeral director must determine who has legal priority (e.g.,
spouse, adult children, parents) under state law and verify valid
authorization.
, 4.
A family requests a funeral director to change the date on their loved
one’s death certificate to qualify for a discounted cemetery plot. What
should the funeral director do?
A. Change the date as requested — it’s a family matter.
B. Refuse to alter the death certificate and explain state law
requirements.
C. Change the date only if another relative agrees.
D. Contact the cemetery to see if they will accept the original date.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Altering official vital records to obtain financial benefit is
illegal and unethical. The funeral director must abide by state law and
refuse to falsify information.
5.
During a routine funeral for a hospice patient, the family requests no
embalming and wishes to keep the body at the funeral home overnight.
The refrigeration unit is full, so the staff plans to keep the body in a
holding room at 68°F. What should the funeral director do?
Questions with Correct Answers 2026 | Funeral
Director Licensing Prep Alabama Board of Funeral
Service State Law Exam – Comprehensive Scenario-
Based Practice Questions & Explanations
1.
A funeral director in Montgomery receives a request from a family to
embalm a deceased individual whose body has been in the mortuary
for 72 hours. The family specifies that they do not want embalming and
will proceed with direct cremation. The body shows visible signs of soft
tissue decomposition. What should the funeral director do first?
A. Proceed with direct cremation without embalming.
B. Embalm the body immediately, regardless of the family’s wishes.
C. Notify the family of the condition and recommend embalming or
refrigeration before proceeding.
D. Wait for the family to change their mind.
Correct Answer: C
,Explanation: Alabama law and public health standards require that
funeral service professionals ensure that human remains are handled in
a manner that protects public health. If decomposition is evident, the
funeral director must advise the family that further action (embalming
or refrigeration) is necessary to prevent public health risks — even if
the family prefers direct cremation.
2.
During an inspection by the Alabama Board of Funeral Service, an
inspector notes that the funeral home’s refrigeration units are
operating at 52°F (11°C). According to state law, records show that
refrigeration must maintain a temperature of 40°F (4°C) or lower. The
director claims they were unaware of the temperature requirement.
What is the appropriate action the inspector should take?
A. Leave the funeral home without enforcing anything.
B. Issue a notice of deficiency and require corrective action.
C. Shut down the funeral home immediately.
D. Recommend the director attend a training session.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Alabama regulations specify refrigeration standards to
ensure the preservation of remains and to safeguard public health. The
inspector should document the deficiency and require corrective action
— such as repairing the unit and documenting proper monitoring —
,rather than taking extreme immediate closure unless there is an
imminent public health threat.
3.
A decedent’s next‑of‑kin provides a handwritten authorization for
cremation. Later, another relative produces a notarized power of
attorney authorizing cremation and demands the funeral home release
the body. The power of attorney was signed three days before death.
The handwritten authorization is older but executed by the primary
next‑of‑kin. According to Alabama law, which authorization controls?
A. The handwritten authorization always controls.
B. The notarized power of attorney always controls.
C. The written authorization from the person with legal priority as
defined by state law controls.
D. The funeral home may choose whichever is more convenient.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Alabama law outlines a specific priority order for
decision‑making authority regarding disposition of human remains. A
power of attorney does not automatically grant authority unless
expressly allowed and specifically executed for disposition decisions.
The funeral director must determine who has legal priority (e.g.,
spouse, adult children, parents) under state law and verify valid
authorization.
, 4.
A family requests a funeral director to change the date on their loved
one’s death certificate to qualify for a discounted cemetery plot. What
should the funeral director do?
A. Change the date as requested — it’s a family matter.
B. Refuse to alter the death certificate and explain state law
requirements.
C. Change the date only if another relative agrees.
D. Contact the cemetery to see if they will accept the original date.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Altering official vital records to obtain financial benefit is
illegal and unethical. The funeral director must abide by state law and
refuse to falsify information.
5.
During a routine funeral for a hospice patient, the family requests no
embalming and wishes to keep the body at the funeral home overnight.
The refrigeration unit is full, so the staff plans to keep the body in a
holding room at 68°F. What should the funeral director do?
