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Besides divvying up your estate to your beneficiaries, there are several other things to think about when executing a will.
One consideration is whether to include a burial plan in your will -- letting your executor know your wishes for your funeral. While including a burial plan in your will may seem like a good idea, your wishes may not be carried out exactly the way you want because your body isn't considered "property" for estate planning purposes.
So what can you do to convey your burial plan preferences?
Burial Plans in Wills
Although it's not against the law to include your burial plans in a will, it may be futile. One reason is that settling the estate and probate proceedings usually don't happen until after the funeral. So if your only funeral instructions are found in the will, then your loved ones may not be aware of your funeral wishes until after it's already too late.
Another reason for not including your burial plan in a will is because your body can't be part of your estate since it's not considered "property" under the law. Because your body won't be under your estate's control, your burial wishes may not be carried out.
How to Convey Your Preferences
If you decide not to include your burial preferences in the will, there are several alternative methods to get your wishes met.
Although it may be difficult or scary to think about what your burial plans will be, it's best to have your plans laid out ahead of time and an estate planning attorney near you can help you figure out the best ways for getting your preferences fulfilled.
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