What is a Funeral Agent and Why Do I Need One?

The most important reason to designate a funeral agent is to ensure that your wishes for your final disposition are carried out. In NJ, designating a funeral agent is as simple as adding the appropriate form to your will. This is not always a topic that comes up when writing a will, but I strongly encourage that you speak to your attorney to add this document to your will. If you do not have a will, there is a form you can execute to appoint a funeral agent. A copy of this form is available here.

Once a funeral agent is assigned, you can leave written or verbal instructions with your funeral agent with the knowledge that your wishes will be carried out provided that you have made sufficient financial arrangements for those wishes.

Although it is not a requirement, some people choose to designate a funeral agent then proceed to make preplanned and/or prepaid arrangements with a funeral home. This frees their loved ones from the need to make difficult decisions in the midst of their grief.

“It is important to note that some find making funeral arrangements for a lost loved one the first step in the grief and healing journey. We encourage you to involve your friends and family before making decisions regarding your final wishes. This is about you, but it is for them. ”

It is also a solution for those whose loved ones may have differing opinions about disposition than their own. An example is if someone wishes to be cremated and their family is spread out both in distance and in beliefs. By designating a funeral agent, that agent's signature is the only one that is required on a cremation authorization form. This can relieve tension within the family during an already difficult time.

It should be kept in mind that anyone of the person's choosing can become their funeral agent. The only requirement is that the person being designated is willing to take on the responsibility being given. This is particularly important for those choosing cremation who do not have living family members to legally authorize their cremation.

NJ law requires that a family member (the legal “next of kin”) signs the Cremation Authorization Form unless there is a designated funeral agent. By designating a funeral agent, those persons who do not have any living family can still ensure that their method of disposition is of their choosing.