Georgia State Board of Funeral Service Practice Exam

What must funeral directors document when exercising Due Diligence?

1. Steps taken to contact family

2. Time of embalming

3. Costs associated with embalming

4. Number of calls made

The correct answer is: Steps taken to contact family

When funeral directors exercise Due Diligence, documenting the steps taken to contact the family is essential. This process demonstrates that the funeral director is making reasonable efforts to communicate with the deceased's family, which is a critical aspect of providing professional and ethical funeral services. Proper documentation serves as a record of the communication attempts, helping to establish that the director is fulfilling their responsibilities and ensuring that family wishes are respected. While the time and costs associated with embalming, as well as the number of calls made, are also important to record in their respective contexts, they do not specifically address the Due Diligence principle as directly as documenting steps taken to contact the family does. Keeping clear records of communication attempts is vital for legal safety and maintaining good relationships with the families they serve.