California law prohibits a funeral director from charging a fee for obtaining which cash advance item?

• A. Motor escorts
• B. Clergy
• C. Flowers
• D. Certified copies

Answer: (D)

In this area, the concept is cash advances and how funeral directors disclose and charge for third-party services. California prohibits a separate service fee for obtaining items that are government-issued and have fixed fees. Certified copies of death certificates fall into that category—the fee you pay is determined by the issuing agency, not something the funeral director can mark up as a separate charge. So, the funeral director may pass through the actual copy fee, but cannot add a distinct fee for obtaining those certified copies.

The other items—motor escorts, clergy, and flowers—are private services or goods arranged through third parties. A funeral director can charge a cash advance for these as part of the overall arrangement, as long as the charges are disclosed and reasonable.