When is embalming legally required in Missouri?

Embalming is legally required in Missouri under specific circumstances to ensure public health and safety. One of the primary situations where embalming becomes mandatory is if the body is to be transported across state lines or if there is a delay in the disposition of the body. This requirement stems from both state regulations and potential federal guidelines, as transporting remains over state borders adds an additional layer of concern regarding the preservation of the body and the prevention of any public health risks that could arise from decomposition.

While other circumstances, such as a family's request for embalming or the death of a decedent with an infectious disease, may influence the decision to embalm, they do not create a legal requirement for embalming in Missouri. Embalming is a decision often left to the discretion of the family, unless the aforementioned conditions prompt its necessity. Thus, the context of transportation and delayed disposition is central to understanding when embalming is legislatively mandated in the state.