Life Choices

WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE DIES

Life Choices: Page 19 of 36 pdf order

Funeral arrangements: Funeral arrangements

Missouri law regarding funeral arrangements

Missouri laws regarding funerals strive to protect citizens at the time of a loved one's death.

If your loved one dies and you must make funeral and cemetery arrangements, begin by finding out if the deceased left instructions for the funeral or cemetery services. If funeral arrangements exist they must be followed.

Funeral arrangements

Your loved one may have pre-paid for the funeral and burial. If not, you may be asked to sign a contract when ordering services. The contract usually binds the person who signs it to pay the charges, but some of this money may be reimbursed from the estate or other sources. If the estate does not have funds to pay the funeral costs, the person who signed the contract may have to pay. You also should check to see if your loved one had any death benefits to help cover the funeral costs.

Funeral directors must follow pricing rules set forth by the Federal Trade Commission including:

• Offering accurate price information over the phone.
• Providing a written, itemized price list if you inquire in person.
• Giving purchasers a written statement with the total cost and a breakdown of each item or service.
• Not requiring you to buy certain goods or services to receive others.

page 19 of 36

< Back | CONTINUED | Next >

Tell a friend

View this publication on one page for printing