South Carolina Funeral Law Practice Exam

What does a crematory refer to?

1. A place where bodies are prepared for burial

2. A building that houses a cremation room

3. Another term for the funeral home

4. A facility for storing ashes

The correct answer is: A building that houses a cremation room

A crematory refers specifically to a building that houses a cremation room, which is equipped with the necessary facilities and machinery to carry out the cremation process. This is where the actual cremation occurs, involving the use of high temperatures to reduce the body to ashes. While there may be other facilities associated with funeral practices, such as those for preparing bodies for burial or storing ashes, the definition of a crematory is distinctly focused on the area where cremations are performed. It is important to understand that a crematory is not synonymous with a funeral home, which typically offers a broader range of services, including viewings, memorial services, and body preparation for various disposition methods. Therefore, option B is the most accurate representation of what a crematory is.