Tennessee Funeral Service Laws Rules & Regulations (LRR) Practice Exam

Who is primarily responsible for ensuring that implants and devices are removed before cremation?

1. The family of the deceased

2. The funeral director

3. The coroner

4. The medical examiner

The correct answer is: The funeral director

The primary responsibility for ensuring that implants and devices are removed before cremation falls to the funeral director. This is crucial because certain implants and devices, such as pacemakers, can pose safety hazards during the cremation process. They can explode due to heat and pressure, causing dangerous situations for the crematory staff and potentially damaging the equipment. The funeral director is typically the person who is directly involved with the preparation of the deceased for cremation. This includes checking for and removing any foreign objects that could pose a risk. They are trained to recognize the types of devices that must be removed and are responsible for coordinating with the family and medical personnel to ensure that this critical step is taken. While the family, coroner, and medical examiner play important roles in the overall process of handling remains, the funeral director is specifically tasked with this safety protocol related to cremation procedures, making their involvement essential.