New Jersey Jurisprudence Practice Exam

Who may authorize a licensee to perform a multiple burial?

1. Only the estate executor.

2. Family members only.

3. Individuals named in a will, next of kin, and welfare agencies.

4. Any funeral director.

The correct answer is: Individuals named in a will, next of kin, and welfare agencies.

The correct response indicates that individuals named in a will, next of kin, and welfare agencies are authorized to permit a licensee to execute a multiple burial. This reflects the legal framework around burial decisions, recognizing the rights of those with legal standing in the deceased's affairs. The rationale behind including individuals named in a will is that they have been designated by the deceased to manage certain matters after death, including decisions about burial. Next of kin hold a statutory priority when it comes to making decisions about the deceased's remains due to their familial connection, and welfare agencies may step in when the deceased has no identifiable next of kin or estate planning. In contrast, the other choices do not encompass the full range of potential authority figures. While the estate executor does have significant authority, they are not the only ones who can authorize multiple burials. Family members only would exclude necessary parties, such as executors or welfare agencies. Lastly, stating that any funeral director has this authority ignores the legal requirements that necessitate proper authorization from relevant parties who have standing rather than simply being a service provider.