The Missouri Department of Insurance has created a free hot line to assist consumers who have purchased pre-need contracts from National Prearranged Services.

The state is reviewing allegations against NPS. On April 9, NPS agreed to suspend all sales of prepaid funeral plans in Missouri, and three state agencies are looking into how the company and its sister company, Lincoln Memorial, got into trouble.

The hot line will be available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday though Friday. The number is (866) 296-8801.

There are an estimated 46,000 people who have pre-need contracts throughout the state of Missouri, according to the Missouri Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. The contracts are sold by a variety of companies.

Consumers will not lose anything because of the problems with NPS, said Jeff Sampson, with Clark-Sampson Funeral Home.

Mr. Sampson’s business was mentioned in a previous story regarding NPS, and he has received numerous calls from concerned customers.

“We have several pre-needs, and fortunately NPS was only used for a portion of them. Many funeral homes used only NPS to fund their pre-needs,” he said.

Policyholders who have questions or comments regarding their pre-need contracts should call the new hot line.

Mr. Samson said that the funeral homes are obligated to honor the pre-need contracts as sold.

“We, as funeral home owners, are just hoping that those who regulate the pre-need companies can resolve the matter and hold either NPS, or whoever is responsible, accountable,” he said. “I’m sure they will I just don’t know how soon.”

For more information regarding NPS, visit www.pr.mo.gov/embalmers.asp.

Business reporter Jennifer Hall can be reached

at jennhall@npgco.com.