Funeral Service Practice Exam

What change occurred regarding death care as early American cities began to expand?

1. More families began to handle their own funerals

2. Families started to outsource their death care

3. Funerals were conducted exclusively in churches

4. There was a decline in funeral services

The correct answer is: Families started to outsource their death care

As early American cities began to expand, one significant change in death care was that families started to outsource their death care. This shift can be attributed to rising urbanization and the associated changes in lifestyle. In more densely populated cities, it became less practical for families to manage all aspects of death care themselves, leading to a reliance on professional funeral services. The emergence of dedicated funeral establishments allowed families to handle the logistical complexities and emotional burdens associated with a death more effectively. This shift marked a transition away from the practice where families would handle funerals themselves, which was more common in rural areas or smaller towns where residents were more self-sufficient and community-oriented. Additionally, with the increasing availability of professional services, families had access to greater resources and expertise, which facilitated the handling of funerals and memorial services in a manner more consistent with emerging societal norms and expectations.