Iowa rules govern funeral plans and government cemeteries

A preneed seller must designate a sales license applicant and file documentation of the designation with the commissioner. The applicant must be designated to sell, negotiate, or seek purchase agreements for a preneed seller. The applicant must meet all licensing requirements before receiving a sales license. The seller must file the designation when the person applies for a sales license.

A seller must refund or transfer at least the inflation-adjusted purchase price within 30 days after receiving a written demand. This applies when an agreement is canceled, a purchaser requests a transfer of trust assets after cancellation, or another seller provides the promised merchandise or services. The seller may deduct actual expenses listed in the purchase agreement, up to 10 percent of the purchase price, and the value of merchandise or services already received, delivered, or stored for the purchaser. The seller has 30 days from receiving the written demand to make the refund or transfer.

A government cemetery is excluded from the perpetual-care category and its care-fund subchapter; a government cemetery owned or operated by a governmental subdivision need not make a minimum initial deposit. These provisions apply to government cemeteries owned, operated, or controlled by a city, county, or township. A government cemetery is owned, operated, or controlled by a city, county, or township. A government cemetery owned or operated by a governmental subdivision may sell interment rights under the chapter.

A cemetery owned or operated by a governmental subdivision may have its own officer, director, agent, employee, or affiliate serve as trustee when its care fund exceeds $200,000. The exception applies to a cemetery owned or operated by a governmental subdivision. A governmental subdivision is a city, county, or township.