Q: How do I guarantee that my funeral wishes are respected? I want cremation but my family is for burial.
A:
There is no way to absolutely "guarantee" what people will do after one's death but taking the following 2 steps will make it more likely that final wishes will be honored:
1) pre-pay your expenses. If cremation and/or funeral arrangements are made while living and prepaid, the overwhelming majority of the time whomever is tasked with setting things up after your death will just go with those arrangements.
and
2) have an advance directive in which you clearly describe your wishes. Name as health care agents people you trust to follow your direction. As a matter of course when our law firm prepares advance directives we put in the planner's wishes for final disposition, for example "I wish to be cremated and my ashes given to so-and-so"
While not legal advice, I hope it helps answer your question.
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