That’s the question a member of the Missouri State Board asked of his staff last Wednesday during a discussion of controversial examination procedures. Prior to the NPS fiasco, the answer to that question would have been “the Board is”. While SB1 (appropriately) continued to vest preneed supervision in the State Board, the new law also
state board of embalmers and funeral directors
Missouri’s Show Me Procedures
By Bill Stalter on
The Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors has released its proposed preneed examination procedures. The release comes just 24 hours before the Board’s October 27th meeting, and so few funeral directors will be prepared to ask questions.
The proposal contemplates different procedures for ‘compliant sellers’ and ‘non-compliant sellers’. With most of the…
Missouri’s New Reporting Requirements: work in progress
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1, Preneed
On September 9th, Missouri’s State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors conducted its first public meeting since forwarding new (and extensive) reporting requirements to preneed funeral sellers and providers. In no mood to entertain complaints from the industry, the Board advised licensees to “do their best”. In response to criticism of the new trust reporting…
Getting to know your banker: Missouri’s Joint Accounts
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1, Preneed
Missouri preneed law (past and present) authorizes three forms of funding: trusts, insurance and joint accounts. Of the three, joint accounts have been used by many rural funeral homes that did not want the hassles of trusts and insurance. But with new reporting requirements, these funeral homes are on the clock to pull together information…
Missouri’s Preneed Funding Agents: You want what?
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1
Missouri’s preneed seller renewal forms include reports regarding each contract that is funded either by a trust, a joint bank account or an insurance contract. What may not be apparent to both funeral homes and funding agents is the requirement under SB1 that the funding agent attest to the accuracy of the information set out…
What a difference a year makes
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1, Preneed
In August 2009, the members and staff of the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors put in a lot of overtime to keep the preneed industry operating. Senate Bill 1 established brand new licensing requirements for preneed sellers. Without a license, a seller’s preneed contracts could be voided. However, the State Board lacked authority…
Missouri’s New Preneed Reporting Requirements: Provider Renewal
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1
License renewal packets mailed to Missouri funeral homes in August are a little thicker than what has been sent out in prior years. The new renewal forms include five new preneed reporting forms: a Preneed Seller Annual Report, a Preneed Provider Renewal Form, a Report form for Trust Funded Pre-Need Contracts, a…
What is this going to cost me?
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Legislation, Missouri - SB1
The Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors met June 15th and 16th to consider legislative proposals offered for technical corrections to SB1. In a prior post, this author took exception to one of the proposals made by a Board member to raise Missouri’s trusting requirement from 85% to 100%. However, a majority of…
Missouri’s 2010 Legislative Proposals: 100% Trusting
By Bill Stalter on
The next round of legislative proposals have been posted to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors website. At the top of the list is whether the trusting requirement should be raised from 85% to 100%. The proponent believes this will enhance consumer protections. He is not alone.
The Illinois Legislature heard the…
Missouri’s democratic process: June SB1 Hearings
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Missouri - SB1
The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors gave notice last week of hearings to be held in June regarding proposals made to correct or revise SB1.
If the Board follows the course taken in meetings held earlier this year, the proposals will likely be published to the Board’s website. These postings will provide Missouri…