Recently I heard the story of a woman who had outlived all of her relatives.  She presumed that when she passed away her friend would make the arrangements for her funeral at church.  But she had never made legal arrangements for her friend to do so.  Without survivors, a will, or documents appointing an executor, the woman’s body became the responsibility of the state.  And they determined how and where she was buried.

In another case, a parishioner who attended Mass regularly passed away without leaving written directions about their funeral and burial wishes.  The survivors were not churchgoers so they only wanted a service at the wake parlor.  No funeral Mass was said, and the body was cremated instead of buried.

Be sure that you make your funeral wishes known, and put them in writing.  Be sure that someone you trust is responsible for executing your funeral plans.  Give them written instructions in case someone else thinks they have a better idea.