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Funeral providers are increasingly having to support families who are uncertain about a loved one’s final wishes because many wills fail to record funeral preferences, according to Jones Whyte Law.
According to the firm, it is common for people to assume their families will know what arrangements they would want, but in practice, this can leave relatives struggling to decide on matters such as burial or cremation, religious services and music choices. These gaps, it added, can add stress and confusion during an already difficult period.
In light of this, the firm recommends that preferences be set out either within the will itself or in a separate document to provide peace of mind for the individual, as well as help families and funeral directors act with confidence and clarity when the time comes.
Stephanie Hutton, partner at Jones Whyte Law, said: “Many assume their funeral preferences will be honoured without documentation. This leaves families guessing about burial versus cremation, religious ceremonies, or specific songs.”
She added that written guidance “spares relatives additional stress during their time of grief when they are already making difficult decisions”.
