Under Missouri law, what must a funeral director provide to the family before service?

In Missouri, a funeral director is required to provide a General Price List (GPL) to families before any service is rendered. This document is essential because it outlines the various services and merchandise available, along with their corresponding prices. The GPL ensures transparency and allows families to make informed decisions regarding the services they wish to select for their deceased loved ones.

Providing a GPL is a legal requirement under both federal regulations and Missouri state law, which mandates that consumers must be given this information early in the funeral planning process. This helps to protect consumers from unexpected costs and allows them to compare prices afforded by different funeral establishments.

While the detailed service contract and a list of available caskets are necessary components of the funeral planning process, they are not legally required to be presented before service initiation. Similarly, warranties for services provided are not legally mandated and depend on the funeral home's policies rather than state law. Thus, the General Price List stands out as the critical document that funeral directors must provide upfront.