Churches from different denominations are observing “Conservation Sabbath” from November 11th through the 20th. In 2010, a faith-related initiative titled the “The Conversation Project” was initiated by journalist Ellen Goodman. The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. Their website states:
sepulcher
Designating the Right of Sepulcher: my mother’s confusing instructions
My mom died recently, and her failure to put in writing her final arrangements resulted in a family conflict.
My mother did not like discussing death, and avoided the topic of her own death at all costs. A few years ago, my mother asked that I prepare a durable power of attorney, and include powers…
Right of Sepulcher: An Attorney’s Error
Betty Jean Collins had her own preferences for the disposition of her body, but her children had other plans. As counsel to many funeral homes, I have seen this situation too many times. The time that should be used for remembrance and healing, is instead marked by conflict and expense. A right of sepulcher designation…
The Right of Sepulcher and Nebraska: Giving the Preneed Contract a Higher Dignity
Representatives from Nebraska’s death care industry will be meeting this fall to discuss the Department of Insurance’s preneed legislative proposal, and the right of sepulcher will be among the issues for discussion.
Nebraska is among the states that have statutory provisions defining the priority of individuals who may claim the right of sepulcher (which is…
Missouri’s Personal Preference Law: End of Life Planning
An important revision to Missouri’s personal preference law goes into effect on August 28th. The original law (R.S.Mo. Section 194.119) was confusing to funeral directors about whether an individual could override the preferences of his/her next-of-kin. With the revision, funeral directors can more comfortably rely upon the individual’s durable power of attorney when following the…
Getting it Right: Missouri’s Right of Sepulcher
While Missouri has had a right of sepulcher law for five years, there has been disagreement whether the law allowed an individual to override the preferences of his/her next-of-kin. The ambiguities of the original law left funeral directors in a quandary about following the instructions of designated agents. This led to confusion for many Missourians who thought…
Iowa Personal Preference Legislation – Whose Funeral is it?
The Iowa had not one, but two personal preference bills pending before its Legislature for the 2007/08 term: SF 473 and HF 2088. The Senate version, SF 473, was backed by Iowa’s attorneys, and the House version, HF 2088, was backed by the Iowa Funeral Directors Association.
What caught my attention about these bills…
Right of Sepulcher – Personal Preference and Wisconsin
A Wisconsin bill that would establish a right of sepulcher looks bound for passage (AB 305). There are several things to like about this bill. It would establish an individual’s right to control the disposition of his or her body, and to designate an agent authorized to carry out that directive. The bill…