Arkansas State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors Service Laws, Rules, and Regulations (LRR) Practice Exam

What must an embalmer obtain before embalming a body when informed of a crime or violence connected to the cause of death?

1. Permission from the local police department

2. Permission from the coroner or medical examiner

3. Consent from the family

4. No permission needed

The correct answer is: Permission from the coroner or medical examiner

An embalmer must obtain permission from the coroner or medical examiner before embalming a body when there is a connection to a crime or violence associated with the cause of death. This requirement is in place to ensure that all legal protocols surrounding the investigation of the death are properly followed. The coroner or medical examiner is responsible for determining the cause of death and may need to conduct further examinations or autopsies before the body can be embalmed. This process is crucial to preserving the integrity of any ongoing investigation or legal proceedings related to the death. While it may be important to communicate with other parties, such as the local police department or the deceased's family, the primary legal authority in such situations rests with the coroner or medical examiner. Without their consent, an embalmer would be risking not only the legal viability of the embalming process but also potentially obstructing justice.