20 CSR 2120-1.040
Definitions
PURPOSE: This rule defines terms used throughout the board’s
regulations consistent with the practice act.
(1) Apprentice embalmer—an individual who is being trained
as an embalmer under the immediate direction and direct
supervision of a Missouri licensed embalmer for the “practice
of embalming,” the work of preserving, disinfecting, and
preparing by arterial embalming, or otherwise, of dead human
bodies or the holding of oneself out as being engaged in such
work and has met the requirements for registration pursuant
to section 333.041, RSMo, and 20 CSR 2120-2.010.
(2) Apprentice funeral director—an individual who is being
trained as a funeral director in a Missouri licensed funeral
establishment under the personal supervision of a Missouri
licensed funeral director in the “practice of funeral directing,”
the business of preparing, otherwise than by embalming, for
the burial, disposal, or transportation out of this state of, and
the directing and supervising of the burial or disposal of, dead
human bodies or engaging in the general control, supervision,
or management of the operations of a Missouri licensed funeral
establishment and has met the requirements for registration
pursuant to section 333.042, RSMo, and 20 CSR 2120-2.060.
(3) Authorized external investment advisor—any federal or
Missouri registered investment advisor qualified to advise a
trustee of a preneed trust and retained by the preneed trustee.
(4) Board—Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral
Directors created by the provisions of Chapter 333, RSMo.
(5) Corporation—a business entity incorporated under the laws
of Missouri or any other state with authority to do business in
the state of Missouri.
(6) Cremated remains—the bone fragments which remain after
the cremation process is completed.
(7) Cremation—a final disposition of dead human remains; the
mechanical process which reduces remains to bone fragments
through heat, evaporation, and/or an alkaline hydrolysis
chemical process.
(8) Cremation box—a container into which cremated remains
are placed.
(9) Cremation chamber—the total functioning mechanical unit
for the actual cremation process.
(10) Cremation container—the container in which the human
remains are delivered to the crematory area for cremation.
(11) Cremation log—a written record or log kept in the cremation
area available at all times in full view for a board inspector.
(12) Crematory area—the portion of a building which houses
the cremation chamber and includes the room where a
cremation chamber is located.
(13) Disinterment—removal of dead human remains from the
ground, grave, tomb, mausoleum, or other place where dead
human remains are interred.
(14) Embalmer—an individual holding an embalmer’s license
issued by the board.
(15) Entombment—the placing of a dead body in a tomb.
(16) Function—the purpose for which a funeral establishment
may be used as set forth in these rules.
(17) Funeral ceremony—a religious service or other rite or
memorial ceremony for a decedent.
(18) Funeral director—an individual holding a funeral director
license issued by the board.
(19) Funeral director-in-charge—an individual licensed as
a funeral director by the board responsible for the general
management and supervision of a Missouri licensed funeral
establishment in the state of Missouri. Each Missouri licensed
funeral establishment shall have a Missouri licensed funeral
director designated as the funeral director-in-charge. A funeral
director limited may serve as funeral director-in-charge of a
funeral establishment which is licensed for only cremation
including transportation of dead human bodies to and from
the funeral establishment.
(20) Funeral director limited—allows a person to work only in a
funeral establishment which is licensed for cremation.
(21) Funeral establishment—a building, place, or premises
licensed by the board devoted to or used in the care and
preparation for burial, cremation, or transportation of the
human dead and includes every building, place, or premises
maintained for that purpose or held out to the public by
advertising or otherwise to be used for that purpose.
(22) Funeral service—any service performed in connection
with the care of a dead human body from the time of death
until final disposition including, but not limited to—
(A) Removal;
(B) Entering into contractual agreements for the provision of
funeral services;
(C) Arranging, planning, conducting, and/or supervising vis
itations and funeral ceremonies;
(D) Interment;
(E) Cremation;
(F) Disinterment;
(G) Burial; and
(H) Entombment.
(23) Independent financial advisor—an investment advisor re
tained pursuant to section 436.440.6, RSMo.
(24) Interment—burial of dead human remains in the ground,
a tomb, a mausoleum, or other place where dead human
remains are interred.
(25) Person—any individual, partnership, corporation, cooper
ative, association, or other entity.
(26) Preparation room—refers to the room in a Missouri li
censed funeral establishment where dead human bodies are
embalmed, bathed, and/or prepared for final disposition.
(27) Register log—a written record or log maintained in a
Missouri licensed funeral establishment available at all times
in full view for a board inspector.
(28) Urn—any receptacle into which the cremated remains are
placed for other than transportation or short-term storage.
AUTHORITY: sections 333.011 and 333.111, RSMo 2016.* This rule
originally filed as 4 CSR 120-1.040. Original rule filed Dec. 31, 2003,
effective July 30, 2004. Moved to 20 CSR 2120-1.040, effective Aug.
28, 2006. Amended: Filed Jan. 30, 2007, effective July 30, 2007.
Amended: Filed July 22, 2009, effective Jan. 30, 2010. Amended:
Filed March 9, 2020, effective Sept. 30, 2020. Amended: Filed Aug.
30, 2022, effective Feb. 28, 2023. Amended: Filed Dec. 30, 2025,
effective June 30, 2026.
*Original authority: 333.011, RSMo 1965, amended 2007, 2008, 2009, and 333.111,
RSMo 1965, amended 1981, 1993, 1995.