Your attorney just finished drafting your last will and testament and living trust. Congratulations! You officially have a plan in place to protect your assets and loved ones in the event you pass away or can no longer make decisions for yourself. However, we advise clients to consider using various additional estate planning solutions, including burial directives.
Burial directives are detailed instructions for whomever you want to manage your end-of-life wishes. They include everything from organizing your memorial and funeral to choosing between burial or cremation and how funeral costs will be handled.
Typically, it is created separately from any preexisting will or trust, and there are various reasons to consider adding it to your plan.
4 Reasons To Create Burial Directives
- You will reduce stress for your family — The main benefit of having burial directives is making decision-making easier for grieving family members and eliminating any confusion and additional stress. It is always a good idea to have open and honest conversations with your family members. Let them know where your burial directives are located so they can easily find them.
- Your wishes will be met — As much as you may not want to think about the day you die, there is peace of mind in knowing you have a say in how your funeral and burial are carried out. Perhaps you want to be cremated, or you have specific thoughts on a celebration of life ceremony versus something more somber. These are thoughts that can be included in your burial directives.
- You might save money — Having your burial directives spelled out well in advance could create cost savings for you and your family. You will have more time to compare funeral homes, services, etc., versus leaving everything for your family to decide after the fact.
- You can prepare financially — Funerals are expensive, even if you have burial directives in place. That said, you have time to prepare financially because you can determine costs for everything in advance and make a plan to pay for it.
How do I get burial directives?
At Nelson Law Group, we carefully guide you through the estate planning process and help you make thoughtful, informed decisions. This includes helping you craft your burial directives in advance. Other estate planning documents we help prepare include:
- Last Will and Testament
- Revocable Living Trusts
- Durable Powers of Attorney
- Medical Authorizations
- Declarations of Guardian
- Advanced Healthcare Directives/Living Wills
Call Nelson Law Group today!!
When it comes to protecting your family’s future for years to come, it is imperative to have an estate planning attorney in your corner. If you have any questions, give our knowledgeable staff at Nelson Law Group, PC, a call. Our staff is always available.
For more information about Brett A. Nelson, click here.
