It may be hard to think of our mortality. But reviewing your estate plan and deciding upon your funeral will help take that burden off your loved ones. Emotions are on edge after you pass away, and planning a funeral will be hard on your family and friends. Having a funeral planning declaration will let those you left behind know your wishes concerning your funeral.
An estate plan includes documents addressing your care while alive (Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive) and what happens to your property after you’re gone (Will or Trust). While not an essential part of your estate plan, a funeral planning declaration is a document that tells your wishes about your funeral instructions.
Your funeral planning declaration may include the following:
These are all questions you can take care of now rather than leave your grieving loved ones to handle after you have passed away.
Your will cannot go through probate court immediately, and your funeral will happen much sooner.
This is why it’s important NOT to include your funeral planning declaration in your will.
Once your estate planning attorney has reviewed your funeral wishes and removed any discrepancies, you will need to find a place to safe-keep this document. It is important for at least one person to know about this paperwork and its location. Perhaps you have a safe in your office or a file cabinet where you store important papers. Wherever you choose, it must be easily obtainable. Decisions regarding funerals often happen quickly, and you want to make this time a little easier for those left behind.
While not officially a part of your estate plan, our attorneys can help you with a funeral planning declaration. Call the attorneys at Estate & Probate Legal Group in Illinois to help you with all aspects of your estate plan. Contact us today at 630-864-5835.
AREAS WE SERVE: DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties.
