Most disputes that arise after a person passes away are focused on the will, as in when a beneficiary believes that they didn't get their fair share of the estate (or weren't listed as a beneficiary at all). It's a horrible thought, but sometimes disputes can emerge before the will is executed, and can involve the best way to farewell the person that has passed away. What's the best way to ensure that your funeral wishes (including your burial or cremation) are respected? Keep reading to find out.

Your Specific Preferences

A lot of it boils down to whether you have any specific preferences. You might not be especially concerned one way or another, but you could conceivably have a preference for burial over cremation (or vice versa), or for your casket or ashes to be interred in a certain cemetery. When you have explicit goals with regards to these end of life matters, you need to have someone who will achieve these goals after you've passed. 

An Executor

While next of kin can otherwise have a great degree of influence in what happens next, you may wish to take the matter out of their hands by appointing an executor, and leaving precise instructions so there's no confusion. The executor can be a family member (even your direct next of kin), a friend, or you can appoint your legal representative. This latter option can be preferable, as they can remain neutral and won't be swayed by a personal emotional attachment to the proceedings. 

Your Arrangements

The responsibility for arranging your funeral and burial (or cremation) then becomes the sole domain of your chosen executor. This means that funeral directors, along with any other pertinent service providers (such as crematoriums or cemeteries) will liaise directly with your executor. This arrangement includes payment for your funeral, whether the amount needs to be raised, or whether the cost was covered by a prepaid funeral plan or funeral bond. Family members might dispute some of your choices, but it's not as though they can overrule your executor, so they won't be able to privately contact the funeral home to change any details pertaining to your funeral. 

It's unpleasant to think that your family members might bicker about the best way to say farewell to you when you're gone. The best way to avoid this possibility is to appoint an executor, leaving them precise instructions about how they should proceed when the time comes.

To learn more, speak to the funeral directors in your area.

Share