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
regulations
Cemetery Rules and Regulations: the right to control cremation benches
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Cemeteries
Earlier this year, the dispute between a Missouri cemetery and an independent monument dealer made local news. The cemetery had given notice to several lot owners that memorial benches they had placed on graves were going to be removed. While the cemetery was permitting certain types of benches to remain, other benches proved difficult for…
New Missouri Preneed Recordkeeping Requirements: base records and uniformity
By Bill Stalter on
The Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will meet December 9th, and their agenda includes a proposed regulation for new preneed recordkeeping requirements. Borrowing perhaps from other states’ preneed audit manuals, the regulation sets out a list of journals, ledgers, documents that a preneed seller would be required to maintain. For an…
Measure twice, cut once: Missouri funeral rule proposals
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1
As discussed in a prior post, the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors is now four years removed from Senate Bill No. 1 and the exigent circumstances that authorized emergency rules. The State Board must now address several issues through the formal rulemaking process. Understanding that the process may take a year or…
Formal Rulemaking: Missouri’s test of patience
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1, Preneed
At its December meeting, Missouri’s State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors will seek input from licensees and consumers regarding several rulemaking proposals. The proposals were published on the Board’s website in November, with a request that comments be provided to the Board by December 2nd. This represents a prelude to the formal rulemaking process…
Did Someone Ask “Who’s the Boss?”
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1, Preneed
Three years ago we asked that question with regard to the power struggle occurring between the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors and the Missouri Division of Professional Registration staff. That post was influenced by our experiences with preneed regulators from other states, who range from elected politicians to the revolving door bureaucrat.
New Missouri Regulations: will this ever stop?
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Legislation, Missouri - SB1
Earlier this week, the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors posted their agenda for the September 27-29th meetings, which includes 65 pages of regulation proposals or revisions. The Board has probably heard the same complaint that we have: what the industry needs is less regulation, not more. However, regulations can serve a…
Missouri’s 2012 Preneed Patch: But is the MO436-09 System Working?
By Bill Stalter on
Missouri’s preneed regulator, the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, will meet June 2nd to continue its discussion of agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Due to the lead time required to formulate legislation, the State Board is forced to begin discussions before its 2011 legislative agenda (SB325) even becomes law on…
Rules are Rules
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Cemeteries
Rules and regulations provide an important framework for the operation and maintenance of a cemetery. However, cemeteries should retain the flexibility to revise their rules to adapt to changes in operations, business and customs. It’s difficult to understand why a cemetery would risk complaints and the prospect of losing business by rigidly adhering to a set…