You may have noticed this week that the man who designed the packaging system for Pringles potato chips was cremated.  Nothing out of the ordinary there.  However what happened with those ashes is unusual.  He had a request that his ashes be buried in one of those Pringles cans and the family complied.

When I prepare an estate plan for either an individual or a couple, in I prepare a living trust, a will, a power of attorney, an advance health care directive, a HIPAA release, deeds for real property (real estate) and for married couples frequently a marital property agreement.

Some living trust attorneys include a paragraph in the Will that contains instructions, if any, concerning funeral, memorial service, burial or cremation.  Other lawyers provide forms for the client to complete that allow the client to indicate the handling of their remains; the type of remembrance service; and to provide instructions.

Most of my clients have something they want to say concerning these issues; and some have very well thought out instructions that include what type of music should be played, food served, etc.

I always caution clients to let their family, successor trustee/executor know their thoughts or let them know where they have listed those thoughts so that they can be found immediately.  Otherwise, there is a risk that something happens that the client would not have wanted.  Obviously, my client will not be aware if his/her wishes were not complied with, but the family members will.

A conscientious estate planning attorney will ask the kind of questions to allow the client to consider issues that he or she may not have previously considered.  This is simply one such issue.  Read past and future blog posts to learn about other issues or call if you would like to make an appointment.