What document legally authorizes an individual to make funeral arrangements?

The durable power of attorney for healthcare is the document that legally authorizes an individual to make funeral arrangements. This legal instrument grants someone the authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of another person, which can extend to decisions concerning how a person wishes to be handled after death, including funeral arrangements.

This document is especially important because it not only covers healthcare decisions during a person’s lifetime but can also include wishes for after death, allowing the appointed agent to take charge of funeral planning in accordance with the individual's wishes. In contrast, a last will and testament primarily deals with the distribution of a deceased person's assets and does not directly give authority for funeral arrangements. Similarly, a living will specifically addresses end-of-life medical care and does not grant authority over funeral decisions. A funeral plan, on the other hand, typically outlines specific preferences regarding funerals but does not confer legal authority to act on behalf of the deceased or make decisions unless coupled with appropriate legal documents.