Sec. 5. The contract under which funds are accepted under this chapter must be in writing and contain, as a minimum, the following provisions:

(1) Details of the professional services, facilities, equipment, and a description of merchandise to be provided by the beneficiary. If the merchandise or equipment includes a vault (as defined in IC 23-14-33-33) that:

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Terms Used In Indiana Code 30-2-10-5

  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • in writing: include printing, lithographing, or other mode of representing words and letters. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Trust account: A general term that covers all types of accounts in a trust department, such as estates, guardianships, and agencies. Source: OCC
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
(A) will be used to encase the remains of a deceased individual; and

(B) is not airtight and watertight;

the details must include a written statement indicating that the vault is not airtight and watertight.

(2) A provision that the beneficiary may provide merchandise of equal or better quality if the merchandise contracted for is no longer available at the time the merchandise is to be provided.

(3) The place of the funeral and the place of the burial or other final disposition to be made of the decedent.

(4) An acknowledgment by the settlor that the settlor understands the irrevocable nature of the trust.

(5) A provision for reasonable adjustment of the services, or cost of services, if the body is transported a distance greater than twenty-five (25) miles to the place of funeral or the place of burial or final disposition and transportation of a distance in excess of twenty-five (25) miles was not contemplated at the time of the execution of the contract.

(6) A provision for full payment of the contract amount by the settlor, a description of the manner in which the funds are to be deposited, and a statement that the interest will accrue to the trust account and a further statement that the principal and interest earned shall inure to the beneficiary to cover all the costs incident to the beneficiary’s performance of the contract, any excess to be refunded to the estate of the settlor or to the heirs at law.

(7) The settlor’s name, address, and social security number.

(8) The date that the funeral trust is executed by the settlor.

(9) The trustee‘s name and address.

(10) The beneficiary’s license number issued by the state board of funeral service.

(11) A provision that except under the circumstances described in subsection (12), only the settlor may change the beneficiary, that the settlor may make the change at any time, and that the change is not effective until written notification is given to the original beneficiary.

(12) A provision that allows the state board of funeral service to change the beneficiary by naming a funeral home as new beneficiary if the original beneficiary becomes deceased, dissolved, terminated, or otherwise loses beneficiary status as a licensee of the state board, and the settlor or the settlor’s guardian or personal representative fails to select a qualified beneficiary.

As added by Acts 1982, P.L.179, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.246-1985, SEC.24; P.L.61-2008, SEC.5.