Jarvis Law Office

Estate Planning Could Prevent a Funeral Embarrassment

When Chiayi County Council Speaker Tung Hsiang passed away, his son was tasked with planning the funeral. For inspiration, he relied on a dream he’d had that his father wanted the funeral to be hilarious. If that’s what Tung Hsiang was going for, his son certainly delivered. The procession included 50 multi-colored Jeeps, each with a scantily clad woman pole dancing on top.

Apparently, having pole dancers at your funeral is not completely uncommon in Taiwan and rural China, though the kaleidoscope of Jeeps with poles and dancers atop them was certainly a new twist. (By the way, Taiwan does ban outright nudity at funerals.) 

CNN reported on this unusual funeral in "50 pole dancers escort Taiwan politician's funeral procession."

The practice of having pole dancers at funerals in Taiwan apparently began in the 1980s and is part of a larger worldwide trend of families wanting unique and often lavish funerals to remember their loved ones.  While the United States has not yet had pole dancers on Jeeps as part of funeral processions (so far as we know, anyway!), many families have opted for unique and memorable funerals.

If pole dancers and colorful Jeeps are not something you would appreciate at your own funeral, now might be a good time to make your wishes known in your estate plan. This can help to avoid the risk that a family member will have a dream about something you might not approve.

Reference: CNN (January 6, 2017) "50 pole dancers escort Taiwan politician's funeral procession."

Planning Your Own Funeral

A full funeral and burial in a cemetery has been the traditional method of disposing of a deceased’s remains but more people are now choosing cremation, according to the Financial Advisor in "Social Stigma of Cremation Going Up in Smoke."

Cremation is normally a much cheaper option than a burial service. However, it is still important to shop around and make sure you are receiving a good price with a reputable company. Prices and service can vary greatly between companies.

An estate planning attorney can advise you on distributing your assets and leaving cash to help your family meet expenses.

Reference: Financial Advisor (Oct. 11, 2016) "Social Stigma of Cremation Going Up in Smoke."

All Funerals Are Not the Same

Glen Speak of Tamworth in the U.K. has chosen an unusual funeral with his design of a double–lidded coffin for himself with one lid open to reveal a row of whiskey shots and mourners invited to take a shot. The Tamworth Herald reported this story in "Specially designed coffin to offer whisky to mourners."

This is but one of many similar stories of people making specific and unusual requests for their funerals and remains. The trend appears to be especially popular in the U.K. For example, in another recent case there, a portion of one man's cremated remains were used to make bait for his friends to use in deep sea fishing.

One thing this shows is that people are increasingly thinking about end of life topics and how they will be remembered. Funeral plans should only be part of the process.

Another way that people will be remembered by loved ones is through their estate plans. The quality of those estate plans can go a long way toward the security of friends and family.

An estate planning attorney can help guide you with an estate plan that may include an unusual funeral.

Reference: Tamworth Herald (May 9, 2016) "Specially designed coffin to offer whisky to mourners."

There are Options to Traditional Funeral

Before the Civil War most people were buried at home after services held by their families but public mourning with morticians preparing the remains has become the tradition. 

The New York Times reports that many Americans are now looking to go the older route and have funeral services conducted in their own homes by family members in "Start-Ups Take Rites From the Funeral Home to the Family Home." One of the big benefits for many people is that home funerals are much less expensive than using a funeral home. Other people prefer the intimacy of services conducted in the home.

It is a good idea to think about how you would like your funeral to be conducted at the same time you are creating an estate plan.

Whether you would prefer a home funeral or a funeral home, you can make your preferences known in your will or in another document. As long as your preferences are reasonable and legal, then they can be followed.

Reference: New York Times (Jan. 30, 2016) "Start-Ups Take Rites From the Funeral Home to the Family Home."