What must a funeral director obtain before cremating a body?

Obtaining a death certificate before cremating a body is essential as it serves as a legal document that confirms the individual has passed away. This document is crucial for various legal and procedural purposes, including allowing the crematory and the funeral director to proceed with the cremation process. The death certificate typically needs to be signed by a physician or a medical examiner, ensuring that all necessary legal criteria have been met.

The other options, while relevant in the context of funeral services, do not specifically pertain to the legal requirements necessary before conducting a cremation. A burial permit is specifically for burials rather than cremations, and a funeral service agreement is a contract that outlines the services to be provided, which does not itself authorize the cremation. Additionally, a request from the next of kin is an important consideration in the process, but without the death certificate, the legal authority to proceed with cremation is not established. Thus, the requirement of a death certificate is a critical step mandated by law before a funeral director can legally carry out a cremation.