Who is responsible for obtaining consent for the use of remains for education in Missouri?

In Missouri, the legal next of kin bears the responsibility for giving consent for the use of remains for educational purposes. This is rooted in the state's laws governing the disposition of remains and the rights related to them. The legal next of kin is the person who has the highest priority under the law to make decisions concerning the deceased's remains, including decisions about donation to medical education or other forms of study.

This requirement ensures that the wishes and rights of the deceased and their family members are respected. The funeral director plays a role in facilitating the process and ensuring that appropriate consent forms are provided, but ultimate authority for consent lies with the legal next of kin. In situations where individuals have made prior arrangements (like anatomical bequests), those would be honored, but in the absence of such arrangements, the next of kin's consent is paramount.

Other options such as the deceased's employer or the educational institution do not have rights to make decisions regarding the use of remains without consent from the legal next of kin, highlighting the importance of family authority in these sensitive matters.