Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE
Division 2120 - State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
Chapter 2 - General Rules
Section 20 CSR 2120-2.071 - Funeral Establishments Containing a Crematory Area

Universal Citation: 20 MO Code of State Regs 2120-2.071

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, March 15, 2024

PURPOSE: The purpose of this amendment is to update the existing regulation's terminology and provide additional clarification regarding the chemical disposition process. The amendment also removes the definitions, which were moved to a general rule containing other definitions.

(1) No dead human body shall be cremated in this state except in a funeral establishment licensed by the board as a Function B establishment.

(2) Each Missouri licensed funeral establishment that contains a crematory area shall maintain permanent records that include:

(A) A written authorization for cremation executed prior to cremation by the person entitled to custody or control of the body which shows the time and date when authorization for cremation was given; and

(B) Information regarding the cremation shall include:
1. The full name of the deceased;

2. The last place of residence of the deceased;

3. The place of death of the deceased;

4. The place of birth of the deceased;

5. The date and place of the funeral;

6. The name of the licensed funeral director, other than a funeral director limited, with whom the arrangements were made;

7. The name of the person(s) who made the arrangements with the licensed funeral director and the relationship to the deceased;

8. The date and time when cremation was begun;

9. The name and address of the person to whom the cremated remains were released or the location where the cremated remains were placed;

10. If the cremated remains were delivered or placed other than by an employee of the Missouri licensed funeral establishment, the name of the person who made the delivery or placement or the name of the business by which the cremated remains were shipped along with the receipt number; and

11. If cremation is to be performed by chemical disposition, the written authorization shall also include:
A. Specific consent for cremation by chemical process with an explanation of the process to be utilized; and

B. Disclosures on the disposition of personal property including, but not limited to, jewelry, medical devices, and any other items that might remain after the chemical disposition process is complete.

(3) Cremation log-a written record or log kept in the cremation area available at all times in full view, which will include the following:

(A) The name of the deceased to be cremated;

(B) The name of the Missouri licensed establishment where the body is cremated;

(C) The date and time the body arrived at the crematory;

(D) The date and time the cremation took place;

(E) The name and signature of the Missouri licensed funeral director supervising the cremation;

(F) The supervising Missouri licensed funeral director's license number;

(G) The name of the Missouri licensed funeral establishment that was in charge of making the arrangements if from a different location; and

(H) The type of cremation performed.

(4) All records required to be maintained by this rule shall be maintained on the premises of the Missouri licensed funeral establishment for two (2) years from the date the record was created. All documents required to be maintained by this rule may be maintained electronically, but all documents shall be stored in such a manner to allow access by the board, or its assignee, and so the board, or its assignee, may easily and timely obtain hard copies or electronic copies in a format easily readable by the board, or its assignee.

(5) If the deceased gave written authorization to cremate and did not revoke the authorization, that authorization shall satisfy the requirement for authorization to cremate. If the deceased did not give written authorization to cremate, the next of kin of the deceased or the county coroner or medical examiner pursuant to Chapter 58, RSMo, may give authorization to cremate. Authorization to cremate given prior to the death may be in any written document, including a preneed contract. The next of kin, for purposes of this rule, is defined in section 194.119.2, RSMo.

(6) If the Missouri licensed funeral establishment receives no authorization for cremation from any of the persons identified in section (5) of this rule, the Missouri licensed funeral establishment may proceed with cremation if it has attempted to locate a person from whom authorization to cremate may be obtained for at least ten (10) days and it has a written statement from city, county, or state law enforcement officials that they have assisted the Missouri licensed funeral establishment in attempting to locate a person from whom authorization for cremation could be obtained but have been unable to locate such a person. However, the Missouri licensed funeral establishment may proceed with cremation prior to the elapse of twenty-four (24) hours if the deceased died as a result of a communicable disease, was subject to isolation at the time of death, and has not been properly embalmed in accordance with 19 CSR 20-24.010.

(7) The cremation chamber shall be completely functioning at all times and shall be constructed specially to withstand high temperatures and/or chemicals used in the cremation and to protect the surrounding structure. A Function B establishment shall not be in violation of this rule if the cremation chamber is completely restored to functioning capacity within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date the cremation chamber ceases to be in compliance with this section. However, if there are extenuating circumstances and the cremation chamber could not be repaired, documentation of such shall be provided to the board for review and approval. Cremation chambers shall be maintained in proper working order and in compliance with all applicable Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services statutes, rules and regulations, and Missouri Department of Natural Resources, statutes, rules and regulations.

(A) If a Function B has only one (1) cremation chamber and that chamber is not functioning, written notification shall be made to the board within ten (10) business days after the cremation chamber stops functioning.

(B) A Function B establishment that has a nonfunctioning cremation chamber may arrange for cremation at another licensed establishment, if the use of an alternate establishment for purposes of cremation is disclosed to the person making the arrangements on the cremation authorization form and the type of cremation performed is as authorized in the written authorization to cremate. In no event shall any licensee or licensed establishment cremate human remains in the same retort or the same processor used for cremating non-human remains.

(8) The crematory area shall include a work center area equipped with forced air ventilation adequate to protect the health and safety of the operator and any other person(s) present.

(9) No person shall be permitted in the crematory area while any dead human body is in the crematory area awaiting cremation or being cremated or while the cremation remains are being removed from the cremation chamber except the Missouri licensed funeral director, the Missouri licensed embalmer, employees of the Missouri licensed funeral establishment in which the body is being cremated, members of the family of the deceased, persons authorized by the members of the family of the deceased, or any other person authorized by law.

(10) When there is no Missouri licensed funeral establishment employee in the crematory area, the crematory area shall be secure from entry by persons other than Missouri licensed funeral establishment employees or a Missouri licensed embalmer authorized by the funeral establishment.

(11) Each dead human body delivered to the crematory, if not already in a cremation container, plastic pouch, cardboard cremation container, casket made of wood or wood product or metal, shall be placed in such a pouch, container or casket. If a metal container or casket is used, the person making the arrangements shall be informed by the Missouri licensed funeral director with whom the arrangements are made of the disposition of the metal container or casket after cremation, if not placed in the retort. The cremation container shall be composed of a combustible, nonexplosive, opaque material which is adequate to assure protection to the health and safety of any person in the crematory area. The casket or container shall be leak resistant if the body enclosed is not embalmed or if death was caused by a contagious disease. Each cremation box or urn into which the cremated remains are placed after removal from the cremation chamber shall be labeled clearly with the full name of the deceased and the name of the Missouri licensed funeral establishment with whom the arrangements were made, pursuant to Chapter 193, RSMo.

(12) The Missouri licensed funeral director with whom the arrangements are made shall make inquiry to determine the presence or existence of any body prosthesis, bridgework, or similar items.

(13) No dead human body shall be cremated, except for cremation by chemical disposition, with a pacemaker in place. The Missouri licensed funeral director with whom the arrangements are made shall take all steps necessary to ensure that any pacemakers are removed prior to cremation.

(14) The remains of only one (1) body shall be in the cremation chamber at one (1) time unless simultaneous cremation has been authorized in writing by the person(s) entitled to custody or control of each body.

(15) Following the completion of the cremation process, residual of the cremation process including the cremated remains and any other matter shall be thoroughly removed from the cremation chamber prior to placing another body in the cremation chamber.

(16) The cremation box shall be composed of rigid materials which shall be sealed in order to prevent the leakage of cremated remains or the entry of foreign objects.

(17) If the cremated remains are to be shipped, the cremation box shall be packed securely in a sturdy and sealed shipping container acceptable to the shipper.

(18) Cremated remains shall be shipped only by a method which has an internal tracing system available and which provides a receipt signed by the person accepting delivery.

(19) Each urn into which cremated remains are placed by a licensee or funeral establishment shall be made of a durable material which shall enclose the cremated remains entirely.

(20) Each Missouri licensed funeral establishment which comes into possession of cremated remains, whether or not it is the Missouri licensed funeral establishment at which the cremation occurred, shall retain the cremated remains until they are delivered, placed, or shipped pursuant to the instructions of the person(s) entitled to custody or control of the body. However, nothing in this rule shall prohibit a Missouri licensed funeral establishment from disposing of cremated remains in another fashion if the Missouri licensed funeral establishment has obtained written permission for other disposition contingent upon the Missouri licensed funeral establishment attempting to dispose of the cremated remains according to instructions but being unable to do so through no fault of the Missouri licensed funeral establishment and provided that other disposition shall not occur prior to thirty (30) days after cremation. Any Missouri licensed funeral establishment that comes into possession of unclaimed cremated remains may also dispose of these remains pursuant to Chapter 194, RSMo.

(21) Nothing in this rule shall be construed to prohibit a Missouri licensed funeral establishment which contains a crematory area from establishing more restrictive standards for its own operation.

*Original authority: 333.061, RSMo 1965, amended 1981, 2001; 333.111 , RSMo 1965, amended 1981, 1993, 1995; 333.121, RSMo 1965 amended 1981, 2007; and 333.145, RSMo 1981.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Missouri may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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