Missouri: Final Expense & Burial Insurance
Benjamin Shafer • February 18, 2024
For each year that passes, funeral expenses get more expensive. In fact, you can pay upwards of $10,000 for a funeral today. Missouri prices can be slightly less, depending on the style of service you choose, the means of transportation you use, where you decide to hold the funeral, and which memorial expenses you include. But even funerals in Missouri can reach that amount, and these high prices can cause your loved ones to struggle if they’re left to pay your funeral costs.
That’s why so many people are planning their funerals in advance. They don’t want their loved ones to experience financial stress because of the cost of their final arrangements. They’re looking for ways to pay for their funeral to help alleviate the burden.
And some options allow you to leave enough money to pay for your funeral as well as other final expenses such as a car payment balance, utility bills, and medical expenses. One option is final expense insurance. Depending on the payout amount you choose, the policy could pay for some or all of these things.
You’ll experience a few differences when buying final expense insurance in Missouri compared to other states. We’ll guide you through the process and show you how Funeral Advantage can help make it easier for your loved ones after you’re gone.
The Funeral Rule
Federal law dictates basic laws surrounding burial services. Known as the Funeral Rule, these rules apply to every state and are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Pricing – Funeral homes must quote prices for products and services over the phone if requested. In person, they must provide a general price list, a casket price list, and a burial container price list (when applicable).
- Contracts – An itemized statement of charges and estimates must be provided before a contract is signed.
- Pre-Need Funeral Plans – FTC laws do not apply to the language of pre-need contracts. They do not govern payment options, costs, modifications, transfers, cancellations, or administrative fees.
Funeral & Burial Expectations in Missouri
Each state has different laws and requirements that govern what happens when someone dies and Missouri is no exception. The state has specific statutes that you will have to follow when someone dies.
Death Certificates
Missouri has a two-step process for certifying a death, requiring first a medical certification and then a death certificate.
The state allows coroners, medical examiners, physicians, physician assistants, assistant physicians, and advanced practice registered nurses to issue medical certifications. The certifier must complete the document within 72 hours of the death. To complete the certification, they use an electronic program called the Missouri Vital Records Electronic system (MoEVR) to file the certificates. The system also allows any of the above-named people to assign the task of entering the medical certification into the electronic system to someone else, such as a funeral director or someone else who has been approved as a data entry person.
Once the death is medically certified, the funeral director completes the death certificate. They do this with help from the deceased’s family and the physician. In cases where a funeral director is not involved, the doctor (or other medical professional who recorded the medical certification) typically completes the death certificate. This step can only happen after the original certifier electronically signs the certification.
If you work with a funeral director, they can request copies of the death certificate for you, or your family can request one.
Embalming & Refrigeration
Missouri has some regulations when it comes to embalming and refrigeration. Once a person is deceased for 24 hours, the state requires that the body is refrigerated or embalmed. This is not Missouri law, but rather a regulation that all Missouri licensed funeral homes must abide by. If you plan for a home funeral, this regulation does not apply.
However, there are some circumstances in which Missouri requires a deceased person to be embalmed. They are:
- If someone dies of an infectious disease and won’t be buried or cremated within 24 hours.
- If a person dies of a contagious disease and is shipped by common carrier. This regulation isn’t true if the shipper wraps the body in a sheet saturated with disinfectant and places it in a sealed casket.
- If the deceased person is shipped by common carrier but won’t reach the destination for 24 hours or more. This regulation becomes null if that person travels in a sealed casket.
Burial Requirements
In Missouri, a person does not have to be placed in a casket when buried. But it’s important that you check with the cemetery because they all have different rules.
Like most other states, Missouri specifies who can make the burial arrangements for a deceased person. The state allows these individuals to make the decisions, in this order:
- Your appointed attorney to whom you have granted a durable power of attorney
- Your surviving spouse
- Any of your surviving children
- Any surviving parent
- Surviving siblings
- The next of kin
- A person who is willing to assume financial responsibility
- The county coroner or medical examiner
If a disagreement arises, the funeral director is allowed to use the instructions of any in the deciding party. For instance, if siblings can’t come to a decision, the funeral director can choose which sibling’s instructions to carry out.
Cremation Services
Missouri allows cremation as long as the funeral director receives two signed documents. The first is a cremation authorization signed by the spouse, a majority of the deceased’s children, a parent, or a legal guardian. The second document is the death certificate, signed by the doctor and filed with the County Health Department. Alternatively, cremation can occur if the medical examiner or coroner releases the deceased for cremation.
In addition to traditional cremation, Missouri allows alkaline hydrolysis. This chemical process dissolves the body into liquid and bone and is greener than traditional cremation because no matter enters the air. It is also called flameless cremation.
Average Funeral Costs in Missouri
Final expenses in Missouri vary widely, from an average as low as $1,000 up to $12,445. The exact cost of a funeral will depend on what services and products you choose.
Service Costs by Type
| SERVICE TYPE | DESCRIPTION | AVERAGE COST |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | No viewing or ceremony | $1,750 |
| Immediate Burial | No viewing or ceremony | $1,000 |
| Cremation Memorial | Facility fees, viewing, & service | $3,000 |
| Full Service | Facility fees, viewing, & service | $7,800 |
Saint Louis Funeral Costs
| SERVICE TYPE | AVERAGE COST | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | $1,500 | $1,000 – $1,750 |
| Direct Burial | $3,300 | $1,995 – $2,850 |
| Cremation Memorial | $2,350 | $1,995 – $2,850 |
| Full Service | $6,150 | $2,795 – $7,295 |
Kansas City Funeral Costs
| SERVICE TYPE | AVERAGE COST | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | $1,100 | $795 – $1,495 |
| Direct Burial | $3,200 | $1,995 – $4,275 |
| Cremation Memorial | $2,700 | $2,200 – $5,150 |
| Full Service | $5,300 | $4,495 – $8,980 |
Help With Funeral Costs in Missouri
Because funerals cost more than they used to, many people are taking the necessary steps to ensure their funerals are paid for before they pass. This eliminates the chance that loved ones have to deal with the financial stress of having to pay for an expensive funeral. There are several ways you can handle your arrangements in advance, allowing your loved ones to celebrate your life in peace without the stress of an unexpected financial hardship.
Here are some ways you can provide for your funeral costs.
Term Insurance
When you buy term life insurance, you are doing so for a predetermined period of time. In other words, instead of buying life insurance one time and then forgetting about it, you buy it for a single term with an expiration date. When the policy expires, you will need to renew it – at a higher premium – and potentially be required to re-qualify which can be difficult.
Buying term life insurance allows you to pay lower monthly premiums, but at a cost. By the time the term ends, you will be older and may not have the same health status. And both of those things will require you to pay higher premiums on the next policy. Most term insurance policies don’t carry cash value either, which means you can’t withdraw a portion of the premiums you’ve paid into the policy in the form of a policy loan.
Final Expense Insurance
Final expense insurance is a type of whole life policy that is designed specifically to pay your final expenses, including your funeral. In most instances, you will not have to take a medical exam to qualify for this type of policy. Coverage is issued based on answers to health questions on the application.
Pre-need Plans
You also have the option of arranging for and paying for your funeral with preneed insurance. When buying one of these plans, you and the funeral director of your choice will plan your funeral and work out the payment arrangements. You can either pay upfront or make monthly payments until you’ve paid the balance in full.
But you should know that pre-need funeral plans come with some risks. For instance, you might die in another state, or the funeral home could go out of business. If you agree to one of these plans, make sure everything is in writing, and ask about price guarantees and what happens if the funeral home closes.
Government Assistance
The federal government will pay a one-time death benefit of $255 if you are eligible for social security benefits. And if you are a veteran, the VA will pay up to $300 for funeral expenses.
The state of Missouri does not offer funeral assistance unless the deceased is indigent and without any relatives or financial supporters. That program is called the Indigent Burial and Funeral Fund, and it pays $400 to the county or city that buries an indigent person.
Leading Causes of Death in Missouri
In Missouri, the top ten leading causes of death in the state are as follows:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Lung disease
- Accidents
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Diabetes
- Nephritis/Kidney
- Influenza/Pneumonia
- Suicide
No Exam in Missouri
When looking for final expense insurance In Missouri, you can probably get it no matter what health status you have. You will probably have to answer a few questions about your health. In other words, with only a few questions, it’s possible to get final expense insurance no matter your age or health.
Free Look Period
Most states require insurance companies to offer buyers a free look period. That’s a period where consumers can change their mind about buying an insurance policy and get a full refund. But Missouri law doesn’t establish a free look period.
Keep in mind, though, most insurance companies willingly provide free look periods for Missouri residents. But you’ll need to pay attention to the time period because each insurer will be different.
How to Get Burial Insurance
In your quest to find final expense insurance, you should ensure you only work with a company that has years of experience and a great reputation among consumers.
And when you find the insurer you want to work with, make sure to explore all of your options when selecting the amount of the death benefit. You can choose an amount that will only pay for your funeral, or you can increase the amount so those you leave behind can pay for your other final expenses as well. Or you may choose an amount that will leave extra cash to your beneficiaries. Remember, the higher the payout, the more your monthly premiums will be.
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When writing your last will and testament, you need to make sure it's legally binding. Passing away without a will in place, your estate could go to probate court, incurring costs, time, holdups, and headaches for loved ones. After all, if you were to pass away without a will in place, your estate could go to probate court, with its those attendant costs, headaches and holdups. Each state has its own requirements for what makes a last will and testament legally binding. Generally, however, it's simple: You’ll need to be of sound mind when you sign and date the will and have at least two disinterested people witness your signature. Making Your Will Legal: State Law Varies Your last will and testament will be governed by the state where you keep your primary residence (or the state where you pay personal income tax). It’s wise to familiarize yourself with any rules specific to the state where you live. For example, different states have different rules about holographic, or entirely handwritten, wills. Case in point: Texas generally recognizes holographic (handwritten) wills, while New York recognizes holographic wills only in super specific cases. Most states require two disinterested witnesses (meaning people who aren’t named in your will), but some also require notarization (like Louisiana). Here’s a general rundown for each state: Alabama: In Alabama, check out Title 43, Chapter 8. To make your last will and testament legally binding, you need two witnesses at the time of signing. You can’t sign your will electronically. Alaska: You can find the statues in Title 13, Chapter 12. Your will must be written down, and signed by you or someone signing on your behalf in your presence. This signing needs to happen in front of two witnesses Arizona: You can find Arizona’s rules in Title 14. You need to sign the will (or have someone else sign for you in your presence, while you’re conscious) in front of two witnesses. Arkansas: Take a look at Title 28. To make your will legally binding, sign it in front of at least two witnesses. California: These laws are in Sections 6100 through 6113. Sign and date your will (under the condition that you have “testamentary capacity”) and have it signed and witnessed by two people. Colorado: Look to CRS Title 15 for details on the law. In Colorado, you can sign your will in the presence of two witnesses or do so in front of a notary public. Connecticut: Find these laws in Chapter 802a. Like in many other states, you can make your will binding by signing in front of two witnesses. Delaware: Title 12 lays out the rules in Delaware. In this state, you can just sign your will and have it witnessed by two people. Florida: Look to Chapter 732 in Florida. Execution of a valid last will and testament means signing in the presence of two witnesses. Georgia: Check out Title 53. In Georgia, you can make your will binding by signing with two witnesses. Hawaii: Look for Hawaii rules in Chapter 560. As in many other states, your Hawaiian will can be executed if you sign in the presence of two witnesses. Idaho: Rules about executing a will in Idaho are found in Title 15. In this state, you need to sign your will with two witnesses. Illinois: Read up on 755 ILCS 5 to learn the details in Illinois. This is another state in which you just need two witnesses to watch you sign your will. Indiana: In Indiana, look to Title 29. As the testator, you’d need to sign in front of two witnesses. You’re also free to create a self-proving affidavit if you choose. Iowa: Chapter 633 is where you should look in Iowa. As with other states, you need to sign with two witnesses. Kansas: Check out Chapter 59 in Kansas. In this state, you need to sign in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign. Kentucky: Kentucky lists its regulations in Chapter 394. To make your will legally valid, you should sign in the presence of two witnesses. Louisiana: You can find the statutes in CC 1570. This is one of the few states that requires notarization—so get ready to sign your will in front of two witnesses plus a notary. Maine: For more nuanced info, read Title 18-A, Article 2. The basic gist? Sign your will in front of two witnesses. Maryland: You can read the relevant statutes in GAM, Estates and Trusts, Title 4. In Maryland, your will becomes legally binding when you sign it in front of two witnesses (who also sign it). Massachusetts: Take a look at Chapter 190B. To make your will binding in Massachusetts, sign it in front of two witnesses. Michigan: The rules in Michigan are laid out in Act 386 of 1998. In this state, you’d need to sign your will in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign to verify they witnessed it. Minnesota: Chapter 524 is where you’d want to look in Minnesota. To make your will legally binding, you should sign in front of two witnesses. Mississippi: You can find details in Title 91, Chapter 5. If the will is written and signed by the testator, you actually don’t need any witnesses. If it isn’t solely created and signed by the testator, then you do need two or more witnesses. Missouri: Title XVI explains the statutes in Missouri. Essentially, you need to sign in front of two witnesses. Montana: Check out Title 72 for details. In this state, you should sign your will in the presence of two witnesses, who also should sign. Nebraska: Chapter 30 describes the rules in Nebraska. In this state, you should sign your will in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign it. Nevada: You can read up on the statutes in Nevada Title 12, Chapter 133. In this state, you need to sign the last will and testament to make it legally binding, along with two witnesses. New Hampshire: Relevant statutes can be found in Chapter 551. You should, in this state, sign your will in front of two credible witnesses, who should also sign. New Jersey: In New Jersey, the rules are determined by Title 3B. You can legally execute your will in this state by signing it in front of two witnesses. New Mexico: The laws in this state are governed by Chapter 45. This is another state in which you need to print and sign your will in front of two witnesses to make it legally binding. New York: Wills in New York state must abide by the Estates, Powers, and Trusts provisions. To be legally valid, the signing of the will must be witnessed by two people who must also provide signatures. North Carolina: The requirements for drafting a will in this state are contained in Chapter 31 the state statutes. The signing of the will must be witnessed and signed by two people to be valid. North Dakota: In North Dakota Chapter 30.1-08 of the state statues describes the necessary requirements for a will. To execute the will legally you may sign the document before a Notary Public or at least two witnesses. Ohio: Chapter 2107 of the Ohio state statutes lays out the necessary elements of a will in that state. You must then sign the document in front of two witnesses who must also sign the will for it to be legally valid. Oklahoma: In Oklahoma, Title 84 details the requirements to draft a last will and testament. For legal execution, the will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are also signatories of the document. You may notarize it as well. Oregon : Chapter 112 dictates the proper steps for drafting a will in Oregon. Two witnesses must be present at the signing of the will, and also sign the document themselves to make it legally valid. Pennsylvania: In this state, wills must follow the instructions laid out in Title 20, Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries. You must sign the will or sign by mark. The will can be signed by another person on your behalf so long as you are conscious and present for the signing. In this case, two other people must witness and sign the document. Rhode Island: Rhode Island’s Title 33 provides the necessary requirements to be met in drafting a will. At least two witnesses must be present when the will is signed, and then add their signatures to the will. South Carolina: The requirements for drafting a last will and testament in South Carolina can be found in Title 62 of the state’s statutes. In accordance with this statute, the will must be signed by you and two witnesses. South Dakota: You can find the necessary details for drafting a valid will in South Dakota in Chapter 29A-2 of the state statutes. South Dakota’s rules about signatures and validity can be found here § 29A-2-502. Tennessee: In this state, Title 32 is where you will find the necessary elements for drafting a will. The will must be signed by you and at least two witnesses, if the will is neither a nuncupative nor a holographic will. Texas: Look to the Texas Probate Code for the requirements you must follow to draft a will in Texas. To be legally valid, the will must be signed by you and two witnesses who are at least 14 years old. Utah: In this state your will must follow the guidelines set out in Title 75, and must also be signed in the presence of two witnesses who will then add their signatures. Vermont: In Vermont, Title 14 explains what is needed for a last will and testament. To make your will legally valid, you must sign the document along with two credible witnesses. Virginia : The elements necessary to create a will in this state are laid out in Title 64.2. To finalize, you must sign the will along with two witnesses. Washington: Wills in Washington state must adhere to the instructions in Title 11. The document must then be signed by you and two witnesses to be valid. West Virginia: Chapter 41 describes the elements necessary to complete a will. The will must contain your signature and that of two witnesses to be valid. Wisconsin: All of the details to create a last will and testament in Wisconsin can be found in Chapter 583. The will is made legally valid by the testator adding their signature along with two witnesses. Wyoming : In this state, Title 2 outlines how to draft a will. Upon completion, it you must sign it along with two witnesses. If you have specific questions about your state’s requirements, we suggest you reach out to a qualified attorney. And, of course, there are some components that you may think of as part of your estate plan that aren't actually included in your will, and therefore won't become legally binding through this process. This includes instructions regarding your pets, online accounts and more.
Term life insurance policies are very popular these days, and of course, they can provide very valuable protection at a low cost for many people. However, the problem with term life insurance is that it expires just when the covered person would find it harder to find protection, after ten or twenty or thirty years, the term life insurance expires. The theory behind term life insurance is that by that time the insured person will have less obligations, and they will have enough money saved to self insure. However, we find many senior citizens and retired people who have not had the good fortune to be free of obligations, and with sufficient savings to cover their debts, final expenses, and other obligations. Also, by the time we reach maturity, we may also have developed more health problems. As if an advanced age were not enough, health problems may make us very tough or expensive to insure at all! However some life insurance companies have developed senior life, guaranteed life insurance, or final expense life insurance programs to meet these needs. These are, basically whole life insurance policies. This means that the policy will stay in force as long as the policy is kept in force. A policy is usually kept in force by paying premiums, or by having the policy ìpaid upî. Yes, many whole life policies can be paid up over a period of years, usually ten to twenty years. In this case, an insured person can relax, knowing they will have life insurance for their whole lives, and not just for a period of years. These type of senior life insurance or final expense policies come in two types that do not require a medical exam. For a face value that usually ranges from $2,500 to $25,000, many senior life insurance companies will offer simple issue and guaranteed issue life insurance policies. Because the face value is lower, and so the risk to insurance companies is lower, you can find some more relaxed requirements to gain affordable coverage for life insurance. Seniors can leave this money to a beneficiary, usually their spouse or children, to cover burial expenses, settle final debts, and leave some money as an estate. Simple issue life insurance policies provide immediate death benefits. They do as health questions on the applications, but the great majority of seniors can qualify. They usually only declined applicants who have a terminal disease, or are in a nursing home. So smaller health issues will not prevent an applicant from obtaining coverage. Since the coverage is immediate, as soon as the insured person is notified that their policy has been issued, they will be covered. Guaranteed issue life insurance policies do not ask any health questions at all! Instead they underwrite by delaying full coverage for a period of months, from 24 to 36, or 2 to 3 years. If the insured person passes away during this qualification period, they will refund all premiums with a specified interest rate. For an older individual with serious health issues, this is still a no-lose deal. If you are an older person, or if you are concerned about paying final expenses for your parents, consider a senior life insurance policy. It will be much easier to pay an affordable monthly premiums than to come up with several thousand dollars for a burial and other expenses after the person dies.
Planning a funeral for a loved one is an emotionally charged experience, often compounded by the burden of financial considerations. Understanding the average cost of funerals in the United States can help ease some of that burden and guide informed decision-making during this sensitive time. The Bottom Line: According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of a funeral in the United States in 2024 was approximately $9,150. This figure includes the basic services of funeral homes, embalming, and a casket, but excludes additional costs like cemetery plots, monuments, and death certificates. A Breakdown of Costs: Funeral Home Services: This encompasses basic services like coordinating arrangements, directing the funeral, and providing staff and facilities. It typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,000. Embalming: Embalming preserves the body and is required by law in some cases. It adds $700 to $1,500 to the cost. Casket: Caskets can vary widely in price depending on the material, style, and features. The median cost falls between $2,500 and $6,000. Cemetery Plot and Vault: The cost of a cemetery plot can vary significantly depending on location and availability. It typically ranges from $2,000 to $10,000, and a concrete vault adds another $1,500 to $3,000. Factors Affecting Cost: Several factors can influence the overall cost of a funeral, including: Location: Funeral costs tend to be higher in urban areas compared to rural ones. Type of service: Traditional burials with embalming and viewing are more expensive than cremation, which typically costs $6,280 on average. Casket choice: As mentioned earlier, casket material and features significantly impact the price. Cemetery fees: Plot location, size, and opening/closing fees can vary greatly. Additional services: Flowers, catering, transportation, and personalized touches add to the overall cost. Cost-Saving Tips: Shop around: Compare prices from different funeral homes and cemeteries. Consider cremation: Cremation is generally less expensive than traditional burial. Choose a simpler casket: Opt for a more affordable material or forego features you don't need. Pre-plan your funeral: Discussing and planning your wishes in advance can help your family save money and make informed decisions. Remember: The average cost of a funeral is just a starting point. By understanding the breakdown of costs and considering your individual needs and preferences, you can make informed choices that align with your budget and values. Additional Resources: National Funeral Directors Association Funeral Consumers Alliance The Cremation Association of North America
