2020 Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XII - Public Health and Welfare
Chapter 214 - Cemeteries
Section 214.208 Disinterment authorized, when — consent required, when — cemetery owner not liable, when.

Effective - 16 Oct 2015

*214.208. Disinterment authorized, when — consent required, when — cemetery owner not liable, when. — 1. Every person or association which owns any cemetery in which dead human remains are buried or otherwise interred is authorized, at the cemetery owner's expense, to disinter individual remains and reinter or rebury the remains at another location within the cemetery in order to correct an error made in the original burial or interment of the remains.

2. Every person or association which owns any cemetery in which dead human remains are buried or otherwise interred is authorized to disinter individual remains and either to reinter or rebury the remains at another location within the cemetery or to deliver the remains to a carrier for transportation out of the cemetery, all pursuant to written instructions signed and acknowledged by the next-of-kin at the time of death of the deceased person as set out in section 194.119. If the next-of-kin at the time of death as set out in section 194.119 is no longer living, then a majority of the following adult members of the deceased person's family who are then known and living: surviving spouse, children, and parents may authorize the disinterment. If none of the above family members survive the deceased, then the majority of the grandchildren, brothers and sisters of whole and half blood may authorize the disinterment, relocation or delivery of the remains of the deceased. The costs of such disinterment, relocation or delivery shall be paid by the deceased person's family.

3. Every person or association which owns any cemetery in which dead human remains are buried or otherwise interred is authorized to disinter individual remains and either to reinter or rebury the remains at another location within the cemetery or to deliver the remains to a carrier for transportation out of the cemetery, all pursuant to a final order issued by the circuit court for the county in which the cemetery is located. The court may issue the order, in the court's discretion and upon such notice and hearing as the court shall deem appropriate, for good cause shown, including without limitation, the best interests of public health or safety, the best interests of the deceased person's family, or the reasonable requirements of the cemetery to facilitate the operation, maintenance, improvement or enlargement of the cemetery. The costs of such disinterment, relocation and delivery, and the related court proceedings, shall be paid by the persons so ordered by the court.

4. The cemetery owner, cemetery operator, funeral director, funeral establishment, or any other person or entity involved in the process shall not be liable to the deceased person's family or to any third party for a disinterment, relocation or delivery of deceased human remains made pursuant to this section.

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(L. 1990 H.B. 1079, A.L. 2015 H.B. 618)

*Effective 10-16-15, see § 21.250. H.B. 618 was vetoed on July 10, 2015. The veto was overridden September 16, 2015.