Minnesota State Mortician Practice Exam

What must be considered as final disposition?

1. Cremation

2. Body donation

3. Burial

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Body donation

In the context of final disposition, body donation is considered a legitimate option that often entails the donation of a body to a medical school or research facility for educational and scientific purposes. This process is a recognized method of providing service to the community and contributing to the advancement of medical education and research. Final disposition refers to the ultimate handling of a deceased person's body after death, which includes options such as burial, cremation, and body donation. However, body donation stands out as it often involves the body being used for a specific purpose that can directly benefit society or the field of medicine. Unlike burial and cremation, which are more traditional methods of handling human remains, body donation has a unique role in contributing to medical knowledge and training. Cremation and burial also certainly constitute forms of final disposition; however, the focus of this question seems to hinge on understanding body donation as a distinct method that has its own implications and benefits. Therefore, recognizing body donation as final disposition acknowledges its significance within the spectrum of options available for handling a deceased individual’s remains.