How many days must a funeral establishment attempt to receive authorization for cremation before proceeding?

In Missouri, the law requires a funeral establishment to make a reasonable effort to obtain authorization for cremation from the deceased's legal next of kin or an authorized person. This effort must continue for a period of 10 days. If the establishment is unable to secure the necessary authorization within this time frame, they may proceed with the cremation process without consent under specific conditions outlined in state law.

This duration helps ensure that family members or authorized individuals have sufficient time to make a decision regarding the cremation, while also balancing the need for funeral service professionals to efficiently manage their operations. The 10-day requirement is thus crucial for compliance with legal and ethical standards in funeral practices.