Under Missouri law, how long must a funeral home hold an unclaimed body?

Under Missouri law, the correct requirement is that a funeral home must hold an unclaimed body for 90 days. This provision is designed to ensure that there is adequate time for the next of kin or legal representatives to claim the body. During this period, the funeral home is responsible for properly caring for the remains, demonstrating respect for the deceased and allowing family members the opportunity to respond, which can sometimes take time due to various circumstances. After this 90-day period, if the body remains unclaimed, the funeral home may take further actions as outlined by state regulations, which may include burial or cremation at the expense of the county. This law reflects the balance between providing necessary services to the deceased and managing the logistics of unclaimed remains.