Who is referred to as a bailee in the context of funeral service?

In the context of funeral service, a bailee is defined as an individual or entity who temporarily holds possession of someone else's property under a contractual agreement but does not own it. The funeral director assumes the role of a bailee when they take a body into their custody for the purpose of preparing for burial or cremation. This relationship carries with it a responsibility to care for the body as a guardian of that property, ensuring it is treated with respect and that any handling is in line with the wishes of the deceased and their family.

The other options refer to roles that deal with the management of a deceased person's estate or affairs rather than direct custody of the body. The personal representative, executor, and estate administrator are generally responsible for overseeing the distribution of the deceased's assets, managing debts, and ensuring that final wishes are honored in a broader legal and financial context. While they play critical roles in the process following a death, they are not directly involved in the physical custody of the body, which is why the funeral director, as a bailee, is the correct answer.