Minnesota State Mortician Practice Exam

Which record is NOT required to be retained for 3 years?

1. Price lists

2. Funeral service contracts

3. Embalming records

4. Billing statements

The correct answer is: Price lists

Price lists do not have a specific requirement to be retained for 3 years according to federal regulations and industry standards. Instead, these lists are generally expected to be made available to clients, ensuring transparency about the costs associated with funeral services. However, they do not have the same retention obligations as documentation related to transactions and services rendered, such as funeral service contracts and embalming records. On the other hand, funeral service contracts must be kept for a certain period because they serve as binding agreements detailing the services to be provided and the associated costs, which can be referenced in case of disputes or inquiries. Similarly, embalming records are essential for documenting the procedures performed and confirming compliance with state regulations. Billing statements also carry the need for retention as they reflect the financial transactions conducted with families and the services provided, which may need to be reviewed in future communications. Thus, while all these records serve important purposes in practice, only price lists do not have a specified retention period of 3 years, making it the correct choice.