(Offering Online Packages through Clark Family Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service & Clark-Stocking Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service)
Are You the Responsible Family Member?
We’ve seen it happen time and again. The person making the initial call to our firm turns out not to be the one with the legal responsibilities of making decisions related to the care of a loved one.
While they may feel that they should
be the one to make these choices, the law doesn’t recognize them as such — and so their voice can become effectively silenced.
If the deceased has not expressed their wishes through a written document as a Funeral Representative Form where the deceased has designated an agent to fulfill their wishes, then the chain of command in MIchigan, formally called the Right of Disposition, is commonly as follows:
- Legal Spouse/Partner
- Adult Child/Children
- Adult Grandchildren
- Parent
- Grandparent
- Adult Siblings
- Niece or Nephew
- Aunt, Uncle or Cousin
- Guardian
- Personal Representative
- Medical Examiner
The person designated as the responsible party, whoever they may be, needs to be present to make decisions, and sign documents. If you are unclear as to who is the responsible person in planning a funeral for your loved one, call us.
The Critical Importance of Designating a Representative
If your loved one has yet to specify who they wish to be in control of their cremation service planning, and they are clear-headed enough to do so, now is the perfect time to take care of that task.
This is especially important if they think their relatives will not respect their cremation plans, or if they are on bad terms with them; do not know where they are, or do not have any living relatives.
And, you might mention that appointing a specific person to arrange their cremation service who is not
a family member, but is deeply trusted, is a good way to ensure that their final wishes are carried out.
They can designate their choice by completing the Funeral Representative Form. Should you have questions about doing so, call us, or speak with your family attorney.