Rest In Peace

How do I make sure my funeral is arranged by the person that I would like to?

I live in the UK (Wales). I don't trust my blood family - they hardly know me, and they have some funny ideas about me, and refuse to even recognise my change of name. A friend and I have agreed that we would like to make legally binding arrangements for her to be the one to control the funeral arrangements and service in the event of my death - she lives in europe. Is there any way that this can happen... to make sure that it happens and that there is no chance of anybody else taking control of the funeral arrangements and deciding on the service in the event of my death other than my friend in europe? I've been told that I could name here as an executrix of a will, but that means more than just the funeral stuff, and I'm also worried that it would not be entirely binding, and if it was, I am worried that it could be ignored, depending on who finds the will. It should be noted that I can't afford to pay for my funeral in advance and pre-plan it - nor do I know what I wand... I know only what I don't want and I don't trust my blood family to avoid it... I wish to leave the decision on how it actually goes to my european friend.

Public Comments

1. Do the will naming your friend as executrix AND as official disposer of your body---give your FRIEND a signed copy, give your LAWYER a signed copy and, if that isn't enough, pick your undertaker NOW and pre-arrange everything and give the Undertaker a copy of your will as well --that way, NO mis-understanding between any of the parties...... My arrangements have already been made and they are basically set in STONE...no one can contest them....well they CAN, but they would have NO chance of winning their case.
2. You could always pre-plan your funeral by going to a funeral home and working with their sales staff. You'll be able to select every detail, and can pay for it now or over payments.
3. do it all yourself while your alive ,
4. In New York in the United States, what you would do is appoint your friend as executrix in your will, and direct that she make all funeral arrangements for you. You would of course have to give your lawyer, and your friend, a copy of the will and tell them where the original is so your friend would know about the will before you are buried. You could request that she make funeral arrangements in the will and direct the executor to reimburse her for funeral expenses. You could make her co-executrix of the will and direct that she make funeral arrangements, but she would have to work with someone else to distribute whatever assets you have. One problem is, apparently she does not live in the same country as you, and that may present complicated legal issues. That problem may be avoided if you appoint someone that does live in your country as co-executor. You should ask an attorney in your country about they best way to go. Pre-paying for your funeral would be an option, but apparenty you cannot do that. In addition, you should tell her where she can get funds to pay for your funeral as she may not have the money to lay it out. Unless you make her the executrix and direct that she arrange and be reimbursed for the cost of the funeral, the arrangement you want may not be entirely binding, as you suspect. You can also direct where your funeral service should take place.