How to specify things after death

How to specify things after death?

When one dies, I presume the body is sent to the next of kin. Is there a way to bypass this in a Will so that I can specify how I am to be buried, organ donation and who is informed of my death? Anyone know how much such a will would cost?

Other Answers:

The reading of the will typically will take place well after you are in the ground, where it would obviously be too late to be taken into consideration. A will is not an appropriate vehicle for any final instructions such as place of burial, method of disposal (cremation or conventional burial) etc.

Your will will normally nominate your preferred executor of your estate. You should leave written instructions with that person regarding the details of how you want the funeral or other arrangements to be handled.

For organ donation, simply sign an organ donor card and carry it on your person at all times. Most states now allow you to do that in conjunction with your drivers license and your D/L will reflect your organ donor wishes. Organs must be harvested within a very short time following your death so leaving instructions with any other party may make it too late for your wishes to be complied with.

You need to make a will. Yes, your body will usually be released to your next of kin, unless you bequeath your body / organs to a medical organisation, for example. You don't say where you are, but in the UK you can register on the organ donor register, and even have the details added to your driving license so that your organs can be used in the event of your death.

A standard will costs relatively little - less than ?200 gbp I would say. It might be more if there are more complex issues, but I doubt it.

Not sure where you live but where I am you can use web sites that sell legal documents like wills! Fill them out your self and they are legal. Otherwise we use lawyers and they are 250 American dollars on average.

As far as who is informed and burial that might be tricky depending on where and how you die but best to inform the person you want to make these things happen aware and keep in contact so that person will be called first to carry out your wishes.

Wills are not normally checked immediately after death even if someone who was notified knew where it was and what the terms are. The only binding part of a will is the disposal of property, not who is informed of the death.