(a) No insurer doing business in this state shall:

1. (1) Write life insurance wherein the proceeds of the policy after death are payable other than in cash; or
2. (2) Write a policy that shall in any way, directly or indirectly, undertake to limit the freedom of choice of the family of the deceased insured or whoever is the proper person having charge of the body of the deceased insured in the selection of the funeral home, cemetery, or monument company to render either goods or services on behalf of the deceased insured.

(c) No insurer doing business in this state shall in any way, either in a policy itself or by simultaneous or subsequent execution of power of attorney or assignment or by any other means whatsoever, limit the payment of its death benefits to goods, services, or merchandise furnished by any:

1. (1) Funeral home;
2. (2) Cemetery company; or
3. (3) Monument company.

(d)

1. (1) An insurer may make payment to:

   1. (A) The executor or administrator of the insured;
   2. (B) Any of the insured's relatives by blood or legal adoption or connection by marriage; or
   3. (C) Any person appearing to the insurer to be equitably entitled thereto by reason of having:

(i) Been named beneficiary; or

1. (ii) Incurred expenses for the maintenance, medical attention, or burial of the insured.
2. (2) "Person" as used in this section shall include a funeral provider.

(f) Arkansas Code §§ 23-74-401 – 23-74-405 (Repl. 1992), relating to fraternal benefit societies, shall be interpreted to require the payment in cash of the proceeds of such policies without in any way limiting or restricting those in charge of the body of the deceased insured in the selection of a:

1. (1) Funeral home;
2. (2) Cemetery company; or
3. (3) Monument company.

(g) Arkansas Code § 23-71-111 shall be interpreted to require the payment in cash of the proceeds of any policy issued by a stipulated premium insurer without in any way limiting or restricting those in charge of the body of the deceased insured in the selection of a:

1. (1) Funeral home;
2. (2) Cemetery company; or
3. (3) Monument company.

(h) Every funeral expense policy or certificate shall be filed for approval with the Insurance Commissioner for the State of Arkansas pursuant to Arkansas Code § 23-79-109.

1. (i) Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the utilization of insurance contracts as funding vehicles for prepaid funeral contracts referred to in Arkansas Code §§ 23-40-101 – 23-40-126.