Think you’ll just let your family members decide how to dispose of your body when you die? This is a burden that is accompanied by a lot of stress and pressure to make some major decisions during a very emotional time. Imagine if one of your children thinks you should be cremated, and another believes only in Christian burial. Do you really want to leave it up to them?
It’s not uncommon for disagreements to arise between family members and loved ones over funeral arrangements, burial disputes or possession of ashes. So, who has the ultimate say and what can you do? Richard Adams, senior associate in the Contested Wills, Trusts and Estates team at Hugh James who has advised clients in a number of such cases, considers this delicate and sensitive issue.