The last time the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors took up the issue of preneed seller record keeping requirements, the staff proposal emphasized a contract ledger approach. The proposal sought to require a contract record that reflected the amount and date of each payment received and the corresponding dates and amounts
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Missouri Preneed Examinations: An Important Pivot
By Bill Stalter on
In their last meeting, the members of the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors took a small, but important pivot in the preneed examination process. The State Board approved a recommendation made by the Financial Examination Committee that the Committee review each examination report and prepare the letter that accompanies the report to…
Missouri Rule Rollback: How to Start the Process?
By Bill Stalter on
Despite lacking sufficient members to take official actions, the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors met last week to discuss Executive Order 17-03. As we reported back in January (Missouri Rule Rollback), the Order represents a significant undertaking by the State Board. Seven months later, the State Board has less…
A Cassity Update: Doug’s Request for a Compassionate Release
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in NPS/Lincoln, Uncategorized
Prison life has been hard on Doug Cassity. The de facto executive officer of National Prearranged Services was sentenced to 10 years in Federal prison for his role in the preneed fraud that involved hundreds of millions of consumer funds. With about 6 years remaining on his sentence, Mr. Cassity has requested a release from…
The MFT Complaint: A Sham Seller
By Bill Stalter on
In paragraphs 53 through 71 of the MFT Complaint, the State Board sets out certain duties that only a licensed Missouri preneed seller may perform. The Complaint asserts that these seller duties are either being performed by the funeral homes that contract to be ‘providers’ with the MFT, or by Eagle Bank as trustee for…
The Proceeding against The Missouri Funeral Trust: The Long Build Up
By Bill Stalter on
We start our review of the case against the Missouri Funeral Trust with the procedural issues raised in the State Board’s Complaint and MFT’s Answer. From the Answer, we learn that the preneed financial examination was initiated on January 20, 2011. But, it was almost three years before an examination report was sent by…
Missouri’s Funeral Consumer Board: Another Step Closer
By Bill Stalter on
With the support of the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, The Funeral Consumer Board Bill (HB 596) was voted out of committee last week with a crucial amendment. As reported in our January 19th post, Rep. McGaugh wants a preneed regulator that is more responsive to the consumer. The Representative’s…
Missouri’s Longest Preneed Audit: Continued until October
By Bill Stalter on
After five months of trading Complaints and Answers, the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors and the Missouri Funeral Trust have been assigned an October hearing date before the Administrative Hearing Commission. The dispute between the State Board and the MFDEA’s master trust program has been waging for years over issues such as…
Missouri Financial Exam Documents: Insurance Policies
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Uncategorized
The financial examination records sought by the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors two bullet points directed at insurance funded arrangements:
- A current statement from any/all applicable insurance companies with which you have insurance-funded preneed contracts for each active preneed contract
- A current listing of any other insurance assignments which require insurance funded
…
Churches: Conversation Sabbath
By Bill Stalter on
Churches from different denominations are observing “Conservation Sabbath” from November 11th through the 20th. In 2010, a faith-related initiative titled the “The Conversation Project” was initiated by journalist Ellen Goodman. The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. Their website states:…