Exam 2 (Pt.2)

Question 0

The American National Character: Religion

Answer 0

religion of the United States is basically Judeo-Christian. Religions have a theological purpose & value for the traditional funeral rite.

Question 1

Significant % of families are made up of..

Answer 1

2 individuals living together outside the boundaries of marriage.

Question 2

overall purpose of religion in the funeral service is to

Answer 2

allow for the acknowledgement of the doctrine of atonement

Question 3

Doctrine of Atonement

Answer 3

states that the created is reunited with its creator at death

Question 4

The American National Character: Government

Answer 4

we are a democratic nation w/ freedom of choice, so Americans are free to select the funeral rite of their choice, whether it be traditional, adaptive, or immediate disposal.

Question 5

The American National Character: Economics

Answer 5

As a country, we operate under capitalistic business theories, America is a nation of free enterprise, so if you want to be a funeral home operator, you are free to open your own establishment.

Question 6

The American National Charater: Age

Answer 6

America is very youth-oriented. Youth have great effect on buying trends of our nation. Modern tendency to displace the “old” into nursing homes. America is considered “death-denying”.

Question 7

The American National Character: Education Level

Answer 7

Americans enjoy very high degree of educational status w/ excellent public education systems available from kindergarten to college.

Question 8

The American National Character: Mobility

Answer 8

America is a nation on the go. we are a very mobile society w/ much evidence of neo-localism. Relocation is now an accepted way of life.

Question 9

Different Uses for Funeral Homes Today

Answer 9

• Normally sight of visitation, rosaries, and fraternal services
• Embalming & preparation of remains generally performed at funeral home
• In rare cases, arrangement conference & selection of funeral merchandise is done there
• Some allow young churches that have lost their facilities to use their funeral home chapel on Sunday mornings
• Others offer their facilities as Civil Defense Centers, CPR, or Red Cross classes

Question 10

Use of Embalming

Answer 10

• First developed on a commercial level in the United States during the Civil War
• Since World War 2 we have seen greater acceptance of embalming
• Dr. Charles Petty states that it has a definite public health value
• Purpose is primarily disinfection, secondarily preservation, and thirdly, restoration
• must be performed as soon after death as possible to function as disinfection

Question 11

Viewing Remains

Answer 11

• In cases were viewing remains is practiced, friends &/or relatives gather at funeral home to physically view remains
• may be done during visitation periods, &/or before & after funeral service, according to family’s wishes

Question 12

Visitation at Funeral Home

Answer 12

• Some areas set calling hours for visitation where friends & relatives may pay their last respects & visit the family
• In other areas, remains are placed in a stateroom of the mortuary & friends & relatives may call as they wish
• Visitation may be the only time for friends & relatives to visit informally w/ immediate family of the deceased during funeral period.

Question 13

The Funeral Director

Answer 13

Must expand knowledge of the type of family they are serving, customs, and traditions of the religious affiliation of the family as well as rules & regulations which they operate under.

Question 14

Use of Credit

Answer 14

• allow families to select a more desirable service at the time of death, or prior to death where they can make payments over a period of time
• there is no collateral that can be reclaimed in the event of nonpayment
• only resource they have in the event of nonpayment is to place a claim against the family member who agreed to be responsible for expenses
• some funeral homes are hesitant to do this as it can create ill feelings between funeral director and the family & in some cases the community.

Question 15

Another alternative for payment

Answer 15

is affective pre-need program which involves planning & purchase of merchandise before the death occurs.

Question 16

Interment

Answer 16

earth burial; currently the predominant choice in America

Question 17

Entombment

Answer 17

Placement of human remains in above ground mausoleums. Preferred by more affluent members of our society.

Question 18

The number of cremations increases about __% each year

Answer 18

1

Question 19

3 reasons for increase in cremation

Answer 19

1) on-going consumer movement by memorial societies
2) concerns about ecology & use of land for burials
3) cost

Question 20

Social changes in the American society leading to increase in cremation (New York Times article “Cremation is Gaining” by William E. Phipps)

Answer 20

1) scarcity of land available for cemeteries
2) increased costs related to burial
3) some people feel the end result of cremation and earth burial is the same
4) United States is based on religious interpretations of biblical verses

Question 21

The format of American religious and organizational funeral rites and ceremonies

Answer 21

• major American religious and organizational subcultures vary greatly and each needs to be studied closely by funeral director
• funeral director should regularly check with local church officials and organizational officers to maintain knowledge about current traditions and customs
• establishing good rapport with church officials is crucial
• helpful to have this info prior to meeting with the family and can often eliminate stressful situations when the family and church officials have different preferences.

Question 22

The early “undertakers” were ________ first, often _______ _______, _________ ________ or _______ _______.

Answer 22

merchants first, often furniture salsesmen, cabinet makers or livery owners.

Question 23

Cost of funeral no longer represents just…

Answer 23

the price of the casket.

Question 24

Itemization

Answer 24

A method of pricing that provides a separate charge for each item of service & merchandise.

Question 25

Neo-local families

Answer 25

Can send their loved one back home for funeralization and burial without long delay

Question 26

Perpetual care features

Answer 26

If a family should move their loved ones grave will still appear as if someone cares for it

Question 27

Criticism of funeral homes owned by large corporations have been that it gives rise to

Answer 27

Depersonalization and further expands the loss of individual identity

Question 28

Grief

Answer 28

An emotion or group of emotions caused by loss

Question 29

Bereavement

Answer 29

The act or event of loss that results in the experience of grief

Question 30

Mourning

Answer 30

Adjustment process that involves grief or sorrow over a period of time & helps in the reorganization of the life of an individual after a loss or death of loved one.

Question 31

Common needs of the bereaved

Answer 31

1) confirm the reality
2) express their emotions
3) modify emotional ties w/ deceased
4) memorialize the person’s life
5) recognize and complete unfinished business
6) receive emotional support
7) be assured feelings are normal
8) be accepted for where they are
9) establish stability and security
10) provide a basis for building new interpersonal relationships

Question 32

Demography

Answer 32

The statistical study of human populations

Question 33

Today, more than ____% of the population is 65 years or older

Answer 33

10

Question 34

Women tend to live longer than men by approximately ___ years

Answer 34

7

Question 35

Americans of _______ extraction have the lowest mortality rates, while __________ demonstrate the highest

Answer 35

Japanese, African American

Question 36

Social class research indicates that….

Answer 36

as education and income increase, mortality is reduced.