Useful Tips On Early Funeral Preparations
There are many things to settle during a funeral. Although you may not want to think about it now, early preparation for your own funeral will mean that your loved ones have less things to think about after your passing. Read on to find out more useful tips on early funeral preparations.
Settle Legal Documents to Decide Who the Decision-Maker is
The first thing to settle is paperwork. If a legal document that dictates who should be in charge of making decisions for your funeral does not exist, the authority will go to the person next on the priority list. The first is the legal spouse, and if you do not have a legal spouse, then children are next in line. After children, it is parents or siblings. A legal hierarchy follows after.
If you intend to supersede the next of kin list, paperwork is an easy way to do it. Through these legal documents, you can specify who exactly should make your funeral arrangements. The document you should complete is called the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOAHC).
Ensure Documents are Legal and Easy to Find
Once the DPOAHC has been filled out, you will need to ensure that the designated agent that you want to entrust the responsibility to is aware and willing to. The document should also be signed and notarized, making it a document that is legally binding. When the funeral home sees this legally binding document, they will be able to trust it and leave the decision-making to the agent.
Weigh Your Funeral Options
By considering your options now, your family will not have to think about it later on after you are gone. When you leave, your death may be a gaping hole of sadness for your family. The loss of a loved one could affect them, leaving them functioning at a less than ideal level. Weighing your options now makes it easier for them to put the plan into action. Some options you could consider is what you want your loved ones to do with your body. This includes cremation, burial or donation.
Inform Your Loved Ones of Your Funeral Wishes
This conversation may be difficult to carry out, but it is important to talk about it before your death. Let them know how you want your body to be handled. This way, any conflicts or disputes by the next of kin can be avoided. During this painful time, it is incredibly emotionally exhausting to have to fight over funeral matters after the loss of a loved one. By telling them your wishes, you could potentially save them a lot of trouble and unnecessary conflict.
Plan Ahead with American Heritage Cemetery Funeral Home Crematory
Planning your funeral now can ensure that the heavy responsibility does not fall on the shoulders of your family members in the future. American Heritage Cemetery Funeral Home Crematory is able to help you pre-plan certain details of your funeral, which will help reduce stress of your grieving loved ones in the future. Feel free to contact us to find out more about how you can plan ahead today.
