What is the primary purpose of the Missouri Funeral Service Code?

The primary purpose of the Missouri Funeral Service Code is to establish standards for the practice of funeral service and, importantly, to protect the public. This legislation serves to ensure that funeral homes and service providers operate under a set of defined rules that promote ethical conduct, maintain professional standards, and provide transparency to consumers. By setting these standards, the Code safeguards the interests of families who are navigating the difficult circumstances surrounding the loss of a loved one, ensuring they receive respectful and competent service.

While financial assistance for families, limiting the number of funeral homes, and regulating pricing are important considerations in the funeral service industry, they do not encapsulate the overarching aim of the Code. The focus is primarily on creating a regulatory framework that prioritizes ethical practices and consumer protection within the profession. This approach helps facilitate trust between service providers and the public, ensuring that the funeral service industry operates with integrity and accountability.