Which license is required for someone to operate a funeral home in Missouri?

In Missouri, operating a funeral home requires individuals to hold both a funeral director license and an embalmer license. This requirement reflects the dual roles that professionals may need to fulfill within the funeral service industry, where funeral directors oversee the operations and arrangements of the funeral home and provide support to grieving families, while embalmers are specifically trained to preserve the body for viewing and burial.

Both licenses ensure that the individual is properly educated and trained to handle the various responsibilities involved in providing funeral services, from the logistical aspects of managing a funeral home to the technical skills needed in embalming. Consequently, holding both licenses emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of both the operational and technical sides of the profession, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations and upholding the highest standards of care in the process of honoring deceased individuals.