Who Decides on Last Rites When a Loved One Passes?
Our Ms Low Seow Ling was recently invited to speak at Assisi Hospice on a deeply practical yet often overlooked question: When a patient passes on, who is responsible for arranging the last rites?
Decisions about funeral arrangements are typically made within hours of death, often before the deceased’s Will has even been located, let alone read. This means that directions left solely in a Will may have little practical effect on how funeral arrangements are carried out. Without clear guidance, family members may face uncertainty or disagreement, especially where the deceased had not expressed their wishes during their lifetime.
Ms Low outlined three practical steps to help address this:
1. Prepaid Funeral Arrangements
Consider purchasing a prepaid funeral package in advance. This allows you to make your own choices and designate a trusted person to oversee the arrangements on your terms.
2. Use the MyLegacy Platform
If a prepaid package isn’t for you, the MyLegacy platform offers a simple and free way to record your end-of-life preferences and share them with your designated trusted persons.
3. Reflect Your Wishes in Your Will
While a Will may not be read immediately, including your funeral preferences in it remains worthwhile. It provides a clear record of your intentions and can help prevent miscommunication or disputes among family members down the line.
Planning ahead is one of the kindest things you can do for those you leave behind. If you would like guidance on how to document your wishes, our team is here to help. Book a complimentary 15-minute Quick Chat to learn more.
