Which of the following tasks is typically performed by a mortuary assistant?

The task of driving the hearse is a typical responsibility of a mortuary assistant. In this role, individuals assist funeral directors and other professionals in handling the logistics of funerals and body transportation. The hearse is specifically designed for the transportation of deceased individuals to the funeral home or cemetery, and the mortuary assistant may be responsible for driving it to ensure that the family can have a dignified and respectful transportation of their loved one.

The other options involve duties that are not commonly associated with mortuary assistants. For instance, administering prescribed medications is primarily the responsibility of medical professionals such as nurses or physicians, while reshaping bodies is a more specialized task typically performed by embalmers or funeral directors. Additionally, setting up surgical instruments pertains to surgical teams within hospital settings and is not a function of a mortuary assistant. Understanding the role of a mortuary assistant helps clarify the specific duties they are trained to carry out within the context of funeral services.