When a dead human body is held at a funeral home, what term is used to describe the funeral home’s possession?

The term that describes the funeral home’s possession of a deceased human body is "actual custody." This designation refers to the physical possession and control that the funeral home has over the body. Actual custody signifies that the funeral home is responsible for the care and arrangement of the body, allowing them to conduct necessary preparations for burial or cremation.

This distinction is important in the funeral service profession as it relates to the obligations and duties that the funeral home undertakes once they receive the body. It implies a direct responsibility for the body, including ensuring that the remains are handled with dignity and are prepared in accordance with the wishes of the deceased's family and applicable laws.

The other options, while they may seem relevant, do not accurately convey the nature of this possession. Terms like constructive custody imply a situation where control exists without direct possession, while legal custody refers to the rights and responsibilities under law, which may not necessarily align with the physical possession aspect. Temporary custody could suggest a fleeting or short-term arrangement, while actual custody indicates a more direct and definitive control that the funeral home exercises over the body during the time it is in their care.