Funeral Directive: Everything You Need To Know
Funeral directives, also called living wills, are legal documents that give explicit instructions about medical care and end-of-life decisions in the event of a terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness. They are one of the final steps you can take to ensure your wishes will be followed by your family and loved ones, even if you are not around to communicate them yourself. But, just like any legal document, a funeral directive needs to be prepared correctly so that it carries the weight of the law behind it.
The Different Types of Funeral Directives
A funeral directive allows you to express your end-of-life wishes to medical professionals. These directives are often referred to by different names, including an advance healthcare directive and an advance directive. Regardless of what you call it, these directives serve one purpose: to help guide healthcare decisions when you can no longer make them for yourself. A list of the different types of funeral directives includes:
1. Living Will or Advance Healthcare Directive
2. Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) Or CPR Order—Revocable Or Irrevocable?
3. California Last Will and Testament for Health Care
4. Order for Removal of Life-Sustaining Treatment under Health Care Directives legislation (which applies to HCCPs and HCPs).
While funeral instructions are not health care directives, they will provide information on how life-sustaining treatment may help maintain vital functions until you pass away. Health care directives help people plan what should happen if they become incapable of making decisions about their own health care or end-of-life care. GoodTrust can help create your funeral directive in just 15 minutes.
Preparing A Will
The general purpose of a will is to make sure that your final wishes are followed after you die. Since one in every four deaths in America takes place without a choice, those who have prepared their wills have an advantage over those who have not. A will allows you to control how you pass on your assets after death, providing security for your loved ones.
The Legalities Of Making A Will
When you are looking to make your funeral directive, it is essential to look at all of your choices. You may be shocked to find out that there are multiple types of funeral directives. The first step in making sure that your wishes get carried out after you pass away includes being clear on what exactly you want.
Choosing The Right Person To Arrange Your Funeral
There are many ways that you can choose to organize your funeral, and each option comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Writing Up A Funeral Plan
You can have lawyers walk you through your options for dying without leaving behind any regrets. Use their advice in conjunction with taking care of your health, creating an estate plan, and making funeral arrangements before you actually need it. After all, planning ahead ensures peace of mind for those left behind.
Funeral directives are legally binding documents that tell how you want your remains handled after you die. They take effect only if you become incapacitated and also pass away.