What to Include in a Final Disposition Instructions Letter
One of the most personal and often overlooked pieces of an estate plan is the Final Disposition Instructions Letter. This simple document tells your loved ones and your estate planning attorney how you want your body and remains handled after death.
What Is a Final Disposition Letter?
Many people assume their loved ones will know what they want, but families are often left to guess. Disagreements, confusion, or uncertainty can cause stress, delays, and legal disputes. However, a Final Disposition Instructions Letter removes doubt and ensures your wishes are respected.
This document helps prevent arguments among family members regarding burial and cremation, religious rights, or memorial services. It gives you peace of mind to make decisions while you are calm and clear-headed, not leaving the decision to loved ones in a crisis.
In Arizona, written Final Disposition Instruction Letters have legal standing. They also allow you to plan a send-off that reflects your personality, beliefs, and values. Want to know more? Talk to an estate planning attorney at the Nicole Pavlik Law Firm to learn more.
7 Things to Include in a Final Disposition Instructions Letter
Your letter should be detailed and specific. Include the following after speaking to an estate planning attorney:
Personal Identification Information
Include your full legal name, date of birth, and other identifiers like Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers to avoid confusion. Also, list your current address and contact information.
Appointment of the Responsible Person
Name the person you want in charge of carrying out your last wishes. Be sure to include backup options in case your first choice cannot serve.
Body Disposition Preferences
Specify what you want to happen to your body, including burial, cremation, green or eco-friendly disposition, body and organ donation, or other unique requests. Your estate planning attorney can help review the options.
Ceremony and Service Instructions
Include your wishes for funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life events. Consider including information on ceremony type, location, officiant, music or rituals, guest list preferences, and whether you want a viewing or a wake.
Notification List
List individuals and organizations to be notified about your death. Then include up-to-date contact information for each party.
Special Requests
Your final disposition instructions letter is your chance to personalize the experience. Consider adding information about charitable donation, readings or music, instructions for handling sentimental items, and social media posts or online memorial pages.
Financial and Practical Arrangements
Clarify whether you have prepaid for funeral and cremation services. Include documents and contact details for the funeral home, crematorium, or cemetery. If you have funds for final expenses, specify where and how those funds can be accessed.
Legal Documentation Details
Also note where you were original will or power of attorney (POA) is stored. Include information about life insurance and other critical documents to help loved ones and estate planning attorneys coordinate the process without additional stress.
How to Store Your FDI Letter
A final disposition instructions letter is only helpful if the right people know where to find it. Give copies to your chosen responsible person and share them with your estate planning attorney at Nicole Pavlik Law Firm. Then inform close family members of its location and review your instructions periodically to make updates based on major life events.
Contact Nicole Pavlik Law Firm Today
Ready to get your wishes in writing? The estate planning attorneys at Nicole Pavlik Law Firm can ensure your final sendoff is handled exactly as you intended. Your legacy deserves experienced legal guidance. Schedule a consultation today.