New Jersey Mortuary Science Practice Exam

Which of the following items might be classified as a cash advance item?

1. Funeral home operational costs

2. Musician fees

3. Grief counseling services

4. Transportation of the deceased

The correct answer is: Musician fees

In the context of funeral services, a cash advance item refers to a service or product for which the funeral home pays on behalf of the family and subsequently seeks reimbursement from them. These items are not included in the base cost of the funeral service and are typically paid directly by the family to the service provider. Musician fees fit this definition perfectly, as they are generally arranged by the funeral home but require payment to a third party, such as a musician or a band. The funeral home incurs the cost initially and then includes this amount as a cash advance on the final statement to the family. While operational costs for the funeral home and transportation of the deceased are essential components of the overall service provided, they are usually included in the overall price of the funeral. Grief counseling services also typically fall under the general service fees rather than being classified as cash advance items, as these are usually provided directly by the funeral home as part of their offerings. Therefore, musician fees appropriately represent a cash advance item, distinguishing them from other services that are integrated into the overall package of funeral services.