It’s your funeral

I am often asked to place instructions in clients’ wills regarding specifics about their funerals. Many people are quite clear on what type of memorial they would like to have to celebrate their lives, as can be seen in the wills of celebrities such as Gary Coleman (who wanted to ensure that only those who truly cared for him would be present). In Ontario, there is no way to completely ensure that your funeral is carried out in the manner you choose, but the best way to encourage your family to follow out your wishes is to either pre-plan or pre-pay for your funeral. If you select every aspect of your funeral, your family is likely to follow your wishes rather than starting from scratch.