IA Funeral Juris study materials
IA Funeral Juris study resources

IA Funeral Juris study plan

IA Funeral Juris · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Iowa Funeral Practice Act: scope of practice, licensure requirements, and prohibited conduct

  • Outline the scope of practice under the Iowa Funeral Practice Act, listing at least five activities that require a license.

  • Compare licensure pathways (embalmer, funeral director, combined) and identify required education, apprenticeship, and examination steps.

  • Identify at least eight prohibited conduct examples from the Act and explain why each is prohibited.

  • Create a one-page comparison chart of license types and their renewal and CE obligations.

Your checkpoint

A 2-page summary sheet of licensure requirements and prohibited conduct with citations to the relevant Iowa Code sections.

Week 2

Preneed funeral contracts: formation, funding, disclosure, and cancellation

  • Describe the required elements of a preneed funeral contract, including disclosures and funding options.

  • Explain the rules for trust funding, cancellation, and refunds, and calculate a sample refund scenario.

  • Draft a checklist of disclosures that must be provided to consumers before signing a preneed contract.

  • Identify at least three common violations in preneed contract formation and how to avoid them.

Your checkpoint

A sample preneed contract checklist with key disclosure and funding requirements highlighted.

Week 3

Custody and disposition of human remains: rights, priorities, and authorizations

  • List the priority order for the right to control disposition of human remains under Iowa law.

  • Explain the authorization required for cremation, burial, and removal of remains, including who may sign.

  • Analyze at least two scenarios involving disputes among family members and determine the legal outcome.

  • Identify the documentation needed to establish custody and transfer of remains.

Your checkpoint

A decision tree or flowchart for determining the authorized person for disposition in various family situations.

Week 4

Death registration, fetal death certificates, and vital records

  • Outline the timeline and responsible parties for filing a death certificate in Iowa.

  • Differentiate between death, fetal death, and spontaneous fetal death certificates and their filing requirements.

  • Explain the process for correcting or amending vital records and the role of the state registrar.

  • Identify the penalties for failure to file or for filing false information.

Your checkpoint

A one-page timeline and responsibility chart for death registration and fetal death reporting.

Week 5

Funeral establishment licensing, facility standards, and inspection requirements & Transportation, embalming, and handling of remains

  • List the physical facility standards for a funeral establishment, including preparation room requirements.

  • Describe the inspection process and common deficiencies cited by the Board.

  • Explain the requirements for transportation of remains, including permits and vehicle standards.

  • Outline embalming and handling standards, including when embalming is required and exceptions.

  • Compare the roles of the Board and the Department of Public Health in facility oversight.

Your checkpoint

A facility self-inspection checklist covering at least 15 items derived from the rules.

Week 6

Iowa Board of Mortuary Science: authority, rulemaking, and disciplinary procedures & Unprofessional conduct, consumer protection, and enforcement

  • Describe the composition, authority, and rulemaking process of the Iowa Board of Mortuary Science.

  • Outline the disciplinary process from complaint to final order, including due process rights.

  • Identify at least ten examples of unprofessional conduct and the potential sanctions for each.

  • Explain consumer protection mechanisms, including complaint filing and public records.

  • Analyze a hypothetical disciplinary case and predict the likely outcome based on prior Board actions.

Your checkpoint

A case brief of a mock disciplinary scenario with an analysis of applicable rules and potential sanctions.

Week 7

Continuing education requirements and license renewal

  • State the continuing education hour requirements and approved subject areas for license renewal.

  • Explain the renewal cycle, late fees, and consequences of practicing on an expired license.

  • Identify recordkeeping requirements for CE and how audits are conducted.

  • Create a personal CE tracking log template that meets Board requirements.

Your checkpoint

A completed CE tracking log for a hypothetical two-year renewal period with at least 10 approved activities.

Week 8

Iowa Funeral Practice Act: scope of practice, licensure requirements, and prohibited conduct & Preneed funeral contracts: formation, funding, disclosure, and cancellation & Custody and disposition of human remains: rights, priorities, and authorizations & Death registration, fetal death certificates, and vital records & Transportation, embalming, and handling of remains & Unprofessional conduct, consumer protection, and enforcement

  • Complete a timed 100-question practice exam covering all domains, scoring at least 75%.

  • Review incorrect answers and create flashcards for at least 20 weak areas.

  • Summarize key deadlines, penalties, and priority rules in a one-page quick-reference sheet.

  • Simulate a client scenario integrating preneed, disposition, and transportation rules to test application.

Your checkpoint

A scored practice exam with a written review of missed topics and a final one-page quick-reference sheet.

Milestones

Week 2: Explain the preneed contract disclosure and funding requirements without notes, and correctly calculate a refund in a sample scenario.

Week 4: Pass a 20-question quiz on death registration and disposition priorities with at least 80% accuracy.

Week 6: Outline the disciplinary process and identify at least three unprofessional conduct violations from a given fact pattern.

Week 8: Score at least 75% on the comprehensive practice exam and complete the quick-reference sheet.