Should funeral wishes be placed in a will?

A will may record funeral or memorial wishes. But the will may be read after arrangements must be made. A separate clear instruction shared with the right people is often more practical.

General information

• Funeral instructions may not be legally binding in every state.
• A prepaid contract or agent appointment may control some choices.
• Money set aside for a funeral must still be legally accessible.

Service steps to consider

1. Discussing wishes with family or the person expected to act.
2. Keeping a separate copy where it can be found quickly.
3. Checking state law before relying on the will alone.

Quick check

• Are all names spelled the right way?
• Did I name backups?
• Do my account forms match my will?

How Complete Wills can help

Complete Wills' will-based questionnaire can record the names, beneficiaries, executor choices, guardian nominations, and other instructions used to prepare the included documents. The customer remains responsible for reviewing the result and completing the applicable state signing requirements. Support can explain fields but cannot tell the customer whom to choose or how to divide property. Customer support can explain website features and questionnaire fields, but it cannot choose documents, people, distributions, or legal terms, interpret a completed document, or explain how the law applies to a person's facts. Only a separately engaged licensed attorney may provide legal advice within the attorney's engagement.

Important limits

• A will does not control every asset. Title, contract terms, trust ownership, and beneficiary forms may control instead.
• Spousal rights, omitted-family rules, disinheritance, and will-signing rules vary by state and may require an attorney. This article gives general information only. A licensed attorney can explain how state law applies to a specific estate plan or document.