IA Funeral Juris study plan
IA Funeral Juris · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.