Minnesota State Mortician Practice Exam

Which group has the least priority in the order of responsibility for body disposition?

1. Adults nieces/nephews

2. Adults grandchildren

3. Adult siblings

4. Parents

The correct answer is: Adults nieces/nephews

The correct choice relates to the hierarchy of legal authority regarding the disposition of a deceased person's remains, which is usually defined by statutes or regulations. In most jurisdictions, when determining who has the responsibility for making decisions about body disposition, the priority usually follows a specific order that reflects the closeness of the relationship. In this hierarchy, parents are typically given the highest priority, as they are immediate family members. Adult siblings rank next, then adult grandchildren, and finally, nieces and nephews usually have the least priority. This order exists because those who are closer in the familial structure are presumed to have a stronger emotional and personal attachment, which can inform their decision-making regarding final arrangements. In the context of this question, nieces and nephews, being more distant relatives compared to parents, siblings, and grandchildren, would generally be the last considered when it comes to making decisions about the disposition of a body. Therefore, recognizing this established priority structure clarifies why adult nieces and nephews hold the least responsibility in this scenario.