PA State Funeral Board- Embalming and
Laws
Student Trainee - Correct Answers -must have completed 2 years of college/Liberal arts
(or integrated course of study) and be accepted for matriculation at a mortuary college
or university
Resident Intern - Correct Answers -Their training should take place in a funeral
establishment in the Commonwealth under the supervision of a qualified preceptor
Preceptor - Correct Answers -Licensed and qualified funeral director in good standing
with the Board may supervise 1 intern for every 35 funerals completed in the year
before the request. By accepting the position of FD is required to fulfill duties set out by
the board, otherwise may result in suspension or revocation of license.
Widow/Widower License - Correct Answers -A license given to the Widow/Widower of a
licensed funeral director and renewal to the estate of the deceased for a period not to
exceed 3 years
Hypodermic Embalming - Correct Answers -Using a hypovalve trocar, embalming fluid
is put directly into an area to help embalm the proteins of that area
Surface Embalming - Correct Answers -A para-formaldehyde is directly applied to a
topical area of a deceased human being. Used mainly in autopsy situations
Formaldehyde Grey - Correct Answers -A term for the discoloration of the body caused
by the reaction of HCHO with hemoglobin to form methylhemoglobin
Baseball Suture - Correct Answers -This suture is considered to be the most secure and
commonly used suture
Low Index Fluid Range - Correct Answers -5-15
High Index Fluid Range - Correct Answers -26-36
Time Limitations on the Widow/Widower License - Correct Answers -The
Widow/Widower License is without time limitation, if the widow/widower remains
unmarried and has written notice of intent to continue practice
, Upon Death of Licensee - Correct Answers -The Board must be informed within 10 days
of deceased's death and request application
When should a Widow/Widower License be filed? - Correct Answers -The license
should be filed within 30 days of the deceased's death. Widow/er must include death
certificate and marriage certificate
How long can a funeral home hold on to deceased remains? - Correct Answers -Funeral
home may not retain a dead human body for a total of more than 10 days without
special permission from the board
Where should remains be held after 24 hours? - Correct Answers -Remains held 24
hours beyond death shall be embalmed or sealed, or kept under refrigeration.
Temperature Range for Cooler - Correct Answers -35-40 Degrees Fahrenheit
How long after removal from refrigeration should remains be brought to their method of
disposition? - Correct Answers -Remains shall be buried, cremated or entombed within
5 hours of removal from refrigeration
What is the maximum time for viewing an unembalmed body? - Correct Answers -Public
should not view an unembalmed body kept in refrigeration over 36 hours
How long after death can human remains be cremated? - Correct Answers -The dead
Human body may be cremated any time after 24 hours beyond the time of death. Body
may be taken to the crematory before that with written instruction
How long can an embalmed body be kept in a receiving vault? - Correct Answers -A
properly embalmed body may remain in a receiving vault for a period not exceeding 30
Days
Who issues disinterment/re-interment permits? - Correct Answers -A disinterment/re-
interment permit is issued by the local registrar
How long disinterment/re-interment permit valid? - Correct Answers -A disinterment/re-
interment permit is valid for 72 hours.
How many days within completion of Prepaid Burial Contract report filed? - Correct
Answers -A completed Prepaid Burial Contract Report must be filed within 30 days of
the completion date
Who issues the permits to exhume a dead human body? - Correct Answers -A permit to
exhume a dead human body is issued by the Court of competent jurisdiction.
Laws
Student Trainee - Correct Answers -must have completed 2 years of college/Liberal arts
(or integrated course of study) and be accepted for matriculation at a mortuary college
or university
Resident Intern - Correct Answers -Their training should take place in a funeral
establishment in the Commonwealth under the supervision of a qualified preceptor
Preceptor - Correct Answers -Licensed and qualified funeral director in good standing
with the Board may supervise 1 intern for every 35 funerals completed in the year
before the request. By accepting the position of FD is required to fulfill duties set out by
the board, otherwise may result in suspension or revocation of license.
Widow/Widower License - Correct Answers -A license given to the Widow/Widower of a
licensed funeral director and renewal to the estate of the deceased for a period not to
exceed 3 years
Hypodermic Embalming - Correct Answers -Using a hypovalve trocar, embalming fluid
is put directly into an area to help embalm the proteins of that area
Surface Embalming - Correct Answers -A para-formaldehyde is directly applied to a
topical area of a deceased human being. Used mainly in autopsy situations
Formaldehyde Grey - Correct Answers -A term for the discoloration of the body caused
by the reaction of HCHO with hemoglobin to form methylhemoglobin
Baseball Suture - Correct Answers -This suture is considered to be the most secure and
commonly used suture
Low Index Fluid Range - Correct Answers -5-15
High Index Fluid Range - Correct Answers -26-36
Time Limitations on the Widow/Widower License - Correct Answers -The
Widow/Widower License is without time limitation, if the widow/widower remains
unmarried and has written notice of intent to continue practice
, Upon Death of Licensee - Correct Answers -The Board must be informed within 10 days
of deceased's death and request application
When should a Widow/Widower License be filed? - Correct Answers -The license
should be filed within 30 days of the deceased's death. Widow/er must include death
certificate and marriage certificate
How long can a funeral home hold on to deceased remains? - Correct Answers -Funeral
home may not retain a dead human body for a total of more than 10 days without
special permission from the board
Where should remains be held after 24 hours? - Correct Answers -Remains held 24
hours beyond death shall be embalmed or sealed, or kept under refrigeration.
Temperature Range for Cooler - Correct Answers -35-40 Degrees Fahrenheit
How long after removal from refrigeration should remains be brought to their method of
disposition? - Correct Answers -Remains shall be buried, cremated or entombed within
5 hours of removal from refrigeration
What is the maximum time for viewing an unembalmed body? - Correct Answers -Public
should not view an unembalmed body kept in refrigeration over 36 hours
How long after death can human remains be cremated? - Correct Answers -The dead
Human body may be cremated any time after 24 hours beyond the time of death. Body
may be taken to the crematory before that with written instruction
How long can an embalmed body be kept in a receiving vault? - Correct Answers -A
properly embalmed body may remain in a receiving vault for a period not exceeding 30
Days
Who issues disinterment/re-interment permits? - Correct Answers -A disinterment/re-
interment permit is issued by the local registrar
How long disinterment/re-interment permit valid? - Correct Answers -A disinterment/re-
interment permit is valid for 72 hours.
How many days within completion of Prepaid Burial Contract report filed? - Correct
Answers -A completed Prepaid Burial Contract Report must be filed within 30 days of
the completion date
Who issues the permits to exhume a dead human body? - Correct Answers -A permit to
exhume a dead human body is issued by the Court of competent jurisdiction.
