NYS FUNERAL LAW EXAM REVIEW VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
QUESTIONS - MOST RECENT EDITION 2026/2027
1. Must each funeral home registration have its own separate
telephone line?
ANSWER : Yes, each funeral home registration must have a separate
telephone line.
2. What are the requirements for signs and lettering at a funeral
home?
ANSWER: Lettering in front of the funeral home must be at least 1.5
inches. Lettering in the casket showroom must be at least 0.5 inches and
conspicuously displayed.
3. Are food and beverages allowed in a funeral establishment?
ANSWER : No, food and beverages are prohibited in the funeral
establishment.
4. Is a funeral firm required to display a sign outside the
building?
ANSWER : Yes, it must be displayed with a minimum lettering size of 1.5
inches.
5. Can non-licensed funeral home employees have business cards?
ANSWER : No. Only a licensed funeral director is permitted to have
business cards.
6. How do New York State laws govern advertising for funeral
homes?
ANSWER : 1. A sign must be out front with the registered name (1.5-inch
minimum letters). 2. Business cards are restricted to licensed directors. 3.
Licensees must disclose if their license is inactive.
, 7. Is it legal to serve food and beverages in a New York State
funeral home?
ANSWER : No.
8. Who is legally authorized to execute an anatomical gift?
ANSWER : Anyone over 18 of sound mind, the next of kin, or a designated
agent.
9. Can anatomical gifts be executed through a will?
ANSWER : Yes.
10. Can a funeral home require that bills be paid in advance?
ANSWER : Yes, provided this is disclosed in the itemization statement or
agreement and all customers are treated equally.
11. Is a funeral home allowed to charge interest on an unpaid
balance, and if so, how much?
ANSWER : Yes. The maximum interest rate is 16% pursuant to NYS
Banking Law.
12. Can a funeral home pass a credit card surcharge back to
the family?
ANSWER : No. It must be listed as a cash advanced item.
13. What is the New York State reimbursement amount to
localities for indigent burials?
ANSWER : 900 dollars.
14. Can unclaimed cadavers be used by schools for study?
ANSWER : Yes, at the discretion of the hospital director.
15. Is body stealing considered a felony?
ANSWER : Yes, it is a Class D felony.
16. Is receiving a stolen body also classified as a felony?
ANSWER : No, receiving a stolen body is a misdemeanor.
17. Is it a misdemeanor for a funeral director to withhold a
body due to an unpaid bill?
QUESTIONS - MOST RECENT EDITION 2026/2027
1. Must each funeral home registration have its own separate
telephone line?
ANSWER : Yes, each funeral home registration must have a separate
telephone line.
2. What are the requirements for signs and lettering at a funeral
home?
ANSWER: Lettering in front of the funeral home must be at least 1.5
inches. Lettering in the casket showroom must be at least 0.5 inches and
conspicuously displayed.
3. Are food and beverages allowed in a funeral establishment?
ANSWER : No, food and beverages are prohibited in the funeral
establishment.
4. Is a funeral firm required to display a sign outside the
building?
ANSWER : Yes, it must be displayed with a minimum lettering size of 1.5
inches.
5. Can non-licensed funeral home employees have business cards?
ANSWER : No. Only a licensed funeral director is permitted to have
business cards.
6. How do New York State laws govern advertising for funeral
homes?
ANSWER : 1. A sign must be out front with the registered name (1.5-inch
minimum letters). 2. Business cards are restricted to licensed directors. 3.
Licensees must disclose if their license is inactive.
, 7. Is it legal to serve food and beverages in a New York State
funeral home?
ANSWER : No.
8. Who is legally authorized to execute an anatomical gift?
ANSWER : Anyone over 18 of sound mind, the next of kin, or a designated
agent.
9. Can anatomical gifts be executed through a will?
ANSWER : Yes.
10. Can a funeral home require that bills be paid in advance?
ANSWER : Yes, provided this is disclosed in the itemization statement or
agreement and all customers are treated equally.
11. Is a funeral home allowed to charge interest on an unpaid
balance, and if so, how much?
ANSWER : Yes. The maximum interest rate is 16% pursuant to NYS
Banking Law.
12. Can a funeral home pass a credit card surcharge back to
the family?
ANSWER : No. It must be listed as a cash advanced item.
13. What is the New York State reimbursement amount to
localities for indigent burials?
ANSWER : 900 dollars.
14. Can unclaimed cadavers be used by schools for study?
ANSWER : Yes, at the discretion of the hospital director.
15. Is body stealing considered a felony?
ANSWER : Yes, it is a Class D felony.
16. Is receiving a stolen body also classified as a felony?
ANSWER : No, receiving a stolen body is a misdemeanor.
17. Is it a misdemeanor for a funeral director to withhold a
body due to an unpaid bill?
