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AUSTIN, TX
Phone: (512) 441-9738
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    • Creating a Legacy of Memories
    • Steps in Planning a Remembrance Service or Funeral
    • The First Decision: Burial or Cremation?
    • What You Need to Know When Choosing Burial
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  • Funeral Planning
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      • When You Meet with the Funeral Home
      • The First Decision: Burial or Cremation?
      • Selecting the Right Products
      • Planning the Details of the Funeral Service
      • What to Expect After the Service
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      • A Death Has Occurred
      • Are You the Responsible Family Member?
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  • Grief & Healing
    • Understanding Grief
      • The Nature and Purpose of Grief
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      • Coming to Terms with Unexpected Death
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  • Help & Guidance
    • The Moments Before & After Death
      • Organ & Tissue Donation
      • Who You Should Call First
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    • Preparing for the Funeral Service
      • Writing Down a Life: Crafting the Obituary
      • Preparing and Delivering a Eulogy
      • Social Expectations: a Primer on Funeral Etiquette
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Facing the Legalities
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Are You the Responsible Family Member?

We’ve seen it happen time and again. The person making the initial call to our funeral home 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 such as a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, or a Last Will and Testament, where the deceased has designated an agent to fulfill their wishes; then the chain of command, formally called the “order of precedence”, is commonly as follows:

  • Legal Spouse/Partner
  • Surviving Adult Child/Children
  • Surviving Parent
  • Surviving Adult Sibling
  • Ex-Spouse
  • Parent of Minor Child

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 funeral 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 honor their funeral wishes, or if they are on bad terms with them; do not know where they are, or do not have any relatives living.

And, you might mention that appointing a specific person to arrange their funeral 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 an Advance Health Care Directive, or the easy-to-read 5 Wishes guide from Aging with Dignity. Should you have questions about doing so, call us, or speak with your family attorney.

Ask The Director

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Austin TX
April 13, 2021, 11:59 pm
Mostly cloudy
Mostly cloudy
77°F
sunrise: 7:06 am
sunset: 7:57 pm
 

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