Funeral Arts National Board Practice Exam

What is it called when funeral services are agreed upon in exchange for compensation?

1. Reciprocity agreement

2. Quid pro quo

3. Barter system

4. Contractual agreement

The correct answer is: Quid pro quo

The term that refers to an arrangement in which services or goods are exchanged for compensation is known as quid pro quo. This phrase, which translates from Latin as "something for something," specifically implies a reciprocal exchange where one party provides a service or item in return for something of value. In the context of funeral services, this means that the funeral home or service provider will deliver the necessary services, such as preparation of the body or conducting the funeral, in exchange for a fee. Although the other concepts may involve elements of exchange or agreements, they don't encapsulate this specific form of transaction. A reciprocity agreement generally refers to a mutual exchange of privileges or services, not explicitly tied to a compensatory agreement. The barter system describes trading goods and services without money, which does not align with the idea of agreed-upon compensation. A contractual agreement signifies a formalized document outlining the specifics of a transaction, but it doesn't capture the immediate nature of a quid pro quo arrangement, which can exist even without written terms. Thus, in the context of funeral services and their compensation, quid pro quo precisely defines the nature of the exchange.