Most individuals eventually are going to have a funeral. Still, no two funerals are exactly alike, with family and religious traditions often determining how they unfold. It is not uncommon for individuals to pay a small fortune for funerals, though. In fact, according to Bankrate, the average funeral in California is more than $7,000.
You probably do not want to leave your grieving loved ones to pay your final expenses. You also might not trust your close relatives to plan the funeral you want. Luckily, it is not difficult to take charge of your own funeral arrangements.
A power of attorney for healthcare
When you are planning your estate, you might want to execute a power of attorney for healthcare. Doing so allows you to name an individual who can make medical decisions for you when you cannot make them for yourself. Your power of attorney for health care also can give someone the authority to plan your funeral and to take care of other end-of-life matters.
Your last will and testament
Your last will and testament can include instructions for your funeral. It also can name a person to take care of funeral planning. If you decide to put funeral instructions in your will, though, you should be certain your close relatives have a copy of the document. Otherwise, they may not know about your intentions until long after your funeral is over.
Ultimately, with a comprehensive estate plan, you are able to maintain as much control as possible over your funeral.