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Final Arrangements

Final Arrangements Family

Let your family, friends and associates know how you would like to personalize your funeral or memorial service
Provide your loved ones with the reassurance that they have honored your memory according to your wishes
Allow your designated contacts the ability to make Final Arrangements decisions for you

Pricing and Details

$9.99

EstateGuidance can save you time and worry by helping you prepare a reliable document from the comfort of your home or office. Simply answer an easy-to-understand questionnaire and we take care of the rest. Once you have completed your Final Arrangements, you can make unlimited free revisions.

Prepare Final Arrangements

Getting Started

How can I talk to my family about my final arrangements?

It is best to have a written final arrangements plan and thoughtful talking points before talking to your family about your final arrangements. Having these things in place allows you to best share your wishes and helps make the conversation comforting instead of frightening.

Use the following points to help you frame the discussion:

Be upfront with your family about your health and any issues you may have.
Acknowledge that talking about final arrangements is not an easy topic to discuss, but that death is a fact of life.
Tell your family the reasons you preplanned your arrangements.
Present your plan. You do not have to tell them everything, but let them know where they can find your plan and what details you think they should know
Answer questions and discuss what is up for family debate and what is not.
Reassure them of your health and the reasons you chose to preplan your arrangements.

During this time of uncertainty, many Americans are making their estate plans. EstateGuidance offers products for determining the disposition of your assets, caring for minor children, making end of life care decisions, naming an agent to make healthcare decisions for you as well as funeral planning. After you create and print your documents, you must execute them properly in accordance with state law. Documents must be signed in the presence of witnesses and witnesses must also sign the document. While it is a best practice to have your documents notarized, notarization is generally not required for Last Will and Testament and Living Will documents to be legally valid and enforceable. This guide will help you navigate proper document execution during this challenging time.

Witnesses are required:

The presence of three witnesses will ensure the validity of your Last Will and Testament and Living Will in case one witness is later determined to be disqualified. Your witnesses should not be:

Anyone related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption;
Anyone under 18 years of age;
Anyone who would stand to benefit from your Last Will and Testament; or
Anyone appointed as a Healthcare Agent or a healthcare provider.

You and your witnesses must sign the signature page of the Last Will and Testament and Living Will.

Notarization is not required:

It is not required to have your Last Will and Testament or Living Will notarized. If feasible, it is advisable to complete the Affidavit of Execution with a notary public and your witnesses. Completing the Affidavit of Execution makes the will a “self-proving will” which means that the probate court can admit the will without the testimony of the witnesses. However, California, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, and Vermont do not recognize Affidavits of Execution.

Likewise, completing the Acknowledgement of Notary Public attached to the end of the Living Will helps to further ensure the document’s validity if ever questioned or using the Living Will in a state other than where it was created.

Some states have recently implemented new laws that permit online or remote notarization. Other states have temporarily allowed for remote or online notarization due to COVID-19. If you choose to have your document notarized and need assistance finding a notary or would like to learn more about online or remote notarization in your state, please visit the National Notary Association website.

Practice social distancing:

When executing your document, it is important to be mindful of social distancing. All parties should remain at least 6 feet apart. In addition, all parties should wear masks, use their own pens and wash their hands before and after handling the document.