A funeral director is meeting with the survivor of a decedent. The decedent was named as the beneficiary on a preneed agreement that has been paid in part and is in the possession of the funeral establishment. Which action is required of the funeral director?

• A. Present the survivor with a copy of the preneed agreement
• B. Require the survivor prove he or she is entitled to the preneed funds
• C. Offer the survivor an annual accounting of the preneed
• D. Give the survivor the necessary forms to apply for the preneed funds

Answer: (A)

When a preneed agreement exists and the survivor is named as the beneficiary, the funeral director has the duty to give the survivor a copy of the contract. The preneed agreement is the controlling document that shows what was paid, what services or goods are covered, and the rights of the beneficiary. Providing a copy up front ensures the survivor can verify the terms, confirm what remains due, and understand how the funds or services will be handled under the contract. Requiring proof of entitlement isn’t necessary because the survivor is already named as the beneficiary in the agreement; an annual accounting isn’t an immediate requirement at this stage, and giving forms to apply for funds isn’t required when the contract itself governs access and rights.