Minnesota State Mortician Practice Exam

Who holds custody of a body after procurement?

1. The funeral home

2. The person who requests the service

3. Person(s) under legal obligation to dispose of the body

4. Law enforcement agency

The correct answer is: Person(s) under legal obligation to dispose of the body

Custody of a body after procurement is typically held by individuals or entities that have a legal obligation to ensure the proper handling and disposition of the remains. Those who are under legal obligation may include legally designated next of kin, estate executors, or other individuals specifically appointed by law or through a will. This legal obligation indicates a recognized responsibility for the deceased and involves the authority to make decisions regarding burial, cremation, or other post-mortem arrangements. In this context, the funeral home may facilitate the care and disposition of the body, but they do not technically hold legal custody of the body; rather, they act on behalf of the parties with legal responsibilities. The person who requests the service may not necessarily have the legal authority unless they are designated as such. Similarly, while law enforcement agencies may temporarily take custody of a body in the context of a criminal investigation or legal proceedings, this does not represent the ongoing custody once the legal matters are resolved. Therefore, the correct understanding revolves around identifying those with a formal legal obligation to manage and dispose of the body, which is encapsulated in option C.