(1) Each funeral establishment entering into prearrangement funeral service contracts in which one or more of the following conditions exist must be registered with the board before entering into such contracts:
(a) The sales price of the contract, using either trust or insurance as a method of funding, guarantees a final price for merchandise and services. The guarantee assures the purchaser that there will be no additional charges for the merchandise and services disclosed within the agreement.
(b) The sales price of the contract using a trust as a method of funding plus accruals will be applied toward the cost of merchandise and services at the time of need. Should the cost of merchandise and services selected at the time of need exceed the sales price of the contract plus accruals, the purchaser will pay the difference. Should the cost of merchandise and services selected at the time of need be less than the sales price of the contract plus accruals, the purchaser will receive a refund for the difference.
(c) Insurance is used as a method of funding guaranteeing a final price for merchandise and services. Such guarantee assures the purchaser that there will be no additional charges for merchandise and services disclosed in the agreement.
(2) Before entering into any prearrangement funeral service contracts in this state, a funeral establishment shall first obtain a certificate of registration from the board. To apply for registration, a funeral establishment must file an application on forms approved by the board of funeral directors and embalmers, which includes:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the funeral establishment;
(b) A statement of the establishment's current financial condition and an explanation of how the establishment plans to offer, market and service prearrangement contracts including:
(i) The type of business organization which operates the funeral establishment, e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation and a list of all officers, directors, partners and managers by name and title, and any person owning more than ten percent of the business;
(ii) A balance sheet and a profit and loss statement for the most recently concluded fiscal year and/or other such fiscal documents as the board may require;
(c) The prearrangement funeral service contract forms the establishment proposes to use need not be in final printed form when submitted; however, a copy of the final printed form shall be filed with the board before the form is used;
(d) Identification of the trustee(s) of the prearrangement funeral service trust, including address and telephone number.
(e) A copy of the prearrangement funeral service trust agreement and the prearrangement funeral service trust depository agreement.
(3) Upon review of the application, the board may require additional information or explanation prior to registration or refusing to register the funeral establishment.
(4) The application shall be accompanied by a check payable to the state treasurer in the amount required by the director for issuance of the certificate of registration.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.39.175(4). WSR 90-17-148, § 308-49-140, filed 8/22/90, effective 9/22/90. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.35.175(4). WSR 88-13-010 (Order PM 737), § 308-49-140, filed 6/6/88. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.39.290 and
18.39.320. WSR 87-18-053 (Order PM 677), § 308-49-140, filed 9/1/87. Statutory Authority: 1982 c 66 § 12. WSR 83-04-021 (Order PL 420), § 308-49-140, filed 1/26/83.]