Can you give them a cheaper one, or a Methodist one if they want a catholic one, or a cremation if they want a burial, for example?
2007-07-07 23:37:36 · 5 answers · asked by donahuecallmephil 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Why would you not want to give them their last requests? Regardless of whether or not you got along with them, out of pure respect, they should have the funeral they requested so that they can rest in peace. Shame on anyone who doesn't abide by their parents last wishes, may their last wishes be ignored as well!
2007-07-07 23:43:42 · answer #1 · answered by Laurie K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about "required by law", but it's possible to honor a parent's wishes as closely as possible and still keep expenses manageable.
Most Christian churches find cremation acceptable, even the Catholic Church (although "scattering" the ashes isn't). So that alone takes care of the single largest expense for a funeral.
As for the service itself, why would one not want to observe the traditions of the parent's faith if they were devout? If one went so far as to stipulate their wishes for a particular type of service in their will, it follows that it was something they considered important. (Devout Catholics in particular wish to have a funeral Mass.) There is also the final opportunity for a child to "honor your father (or mother)".
Yes, funeral services are for the living, but the reason they happen at all is because people cared for the deceased. I would hope respect for their faith was a part of that.
2007-07-08 04:23:53 · answer #2 · answered by Clare † 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Funeral arrangements are made before a will is read and probated. It is the *survivors* [ family members] who make the arrangements except in cases of prepaid funeral arrangements. In addition, the funeral director will have a family member personally obligate himself for the payment of the funeral bill because the funeral director does not want to get stuck with an unpaid bill if the estate turns out to be an insolvent estate.
If in Mom's will she specifies a certain type of funeral, it is really illusory. If you want to give her a funeral with a $1,000 cremation rather than a $15,000 funeral she was expecting, who is going to complain? If she is a Methodist and you want to give her a Presbyterian or a Catholic funeral, so what?
Advice to parents: prearrange your funeral and prepay it. Do your planning with the funeral director.
My mother had requested in her will that she be cremated. My father did not believe in cremation, so she was not cremated.
2007-07-08 02:29:37 · answer #3 · answered by Mark 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are appointed executor under the will, generally yes. The will would include a description of and distribution of assets, to include provision for final expenses, subject to duly presented creditors' claims, if any. Being the simple recipient of life insurance proceeds would not involve a legal obligation. If you are an executor, you should consult legal counsel.
2007-07-08 01:21:19 · answer #4 · answered by MALIBU CANYON 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no law that says you have to follow their wishes. No law in the US, that is. You don't say what country you are in.
2007-07-07 23:42:23 · answer #5 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋