HCS HB 2231 -- DISPOSITION OF CREMATED HUMAN REMAINS

SPONSOR:  Wasson

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Special
Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of
12 to 0.

This substitute allows a licensed funeral establishment to
dispose of cremated human remains in accordance with a cremation
contract except if otherwise prohibited by law.

Currently, a licensed funeral establishment is required to send
written notice by certified mail, returned receipt requested, to
the licensed funeral establishment or person who contracted for
the cremation stating that the remains will be scattered or
interred unless the remains are claimed and removed within 90
days.  The substitute removes the certified mail requirement and
allows a licensed funeral establishment to send a written notice,
with confirmation of delivery, to the last known address of the
person or funeral establishment that contracted for the
cremation.  The provision is also repealed which requires the
notification of a scattering or interment of cremated remains to
be published in a local newspaper if the mailed written notice
cannot be delivered.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and
FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that many funeral establishments have
unclaimed cremated remains on their premises, and the bill allows
them more options in disposing of the remains.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Wasson; and Missouri
Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:13 pm