Under Missouri law, which type of next-of-kin has priority for permission over others?

In Missouri law, the hierarchy of who has priority in granting permission for funeral arrangements typically places surviving children as the first in line, followed by surviving parents and then surviving siblings. An Attorney in Fact, while they may be an important decision-maker if designated by the deceased, does not supersede the natural order of next-of-kin.

The authority of the Attorney in Fact usually derives from a legal document like a Durable Power of Attorney, which is confined to specific powers outlined in that document. When it comes to funeral decisions, Missouri emphasizes natural relationships—surviving children would naturally take precedence over an Attorney in Fact, as their familial bond is considered more relevant to matters of personal preference regarding a decedent’s final arrangements.

Thus, in the hierarchy of next-of-kin in Missouri, surviving children would be prioritized over an Attorney in Fact, making the correct consideration relating to permission for funeral arrangements clear.