February 3, 2025

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When you preplan for your final resting place, you’re leaving behind a gift for your loved ones. When you’re no longer walking this world beside your family, they will go on a new journey through grief. But during that same journey, they’ll have to make some difficult decisions.

 

They’ll want to honor you the way that you deserve, and they’ll want to follow your final wishes. But what happens when they don’t know what those wishes are? If you pre-purchased your spot in a cemetery, who do you need to tell? And what do you need to say to them to ensure they’re fully prepared for your final arrangements?

 

Who Should I Tell About My Pre-Purchased Spot in a Cemetery?

When it comes to who makes decisions regarding your final arrangements, the answer can vary by state, but in most cases, it’s your next of kin. Your next of kin can also vary by state, but the answer is generally your spouse, provided you’re not separated at the time of your passing.

 

If you do not have a spouse or if your spouse has already passed on, the next of kin is generally your children. If you do not have children, a cemetery or funeral home will move on to the next of kin, as determined by your state’s law. If you’re not sure who would be your next of kin, consider familiarizing yourself with your state’s next of kin laws to determine who needs to know about your final arrangement plans.

 

Some states may also allow you to appoint a personal representative to fulfill your final arrangement plans if you do not have immediate family that can fulfill this role or if you’d rather someone other than family follow through on your plans.

 

If you pre-purchase a spot in a cemetery, your next of kin should absolutely be informed about this purchase. If they are not aware of your plans, they may end up working with a different cemetery than the one you have chosen. Unaware of your purchase, they may buy another plot for you, resulting in you being buried in a place that’s not of your choosing.

 

Although your next of kin needs to be informed about your pre-purchased spot, it’s still a good idea to tell your immediate family of your plans. For instance, if your spouse is still living, they will likely be the next of kin, but you might also want to tell your children about your chosen final resting place.

 

Losing you will be a challenging loss, but they can take some comfort in feeling involved. There can sometimes be confusion about final arrangement plans amongst family, but hearing your plans directly from you can make them rest easily knowing that your wishes are being carried out just as you wanted.

 

Aside from simply telling your next of kin and immediate family about your pre-purchased spot, you should also make sure they have any documents they need to fulfill your plans. Any documents that were given to you by the cemetery after pre-purchasing your spot should be accessible to them and in an easy-to-remember location. You might also consider bringing your next of kin or immediate family to the cemetery to show them the spot, as well as introduce them to the cemetery staff so they’ll feel more comfortable working with the staff when the time comes for you to rest.

 

ccacem.org

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