Cremation Heating Up: An Attorney in Utah Can Help Make Your Wishes Known
The popularity of cremations is increasing in the U.S., but the deceased cannot make their own choices at the time. If you care, you need to plan ahead to make your wishes known. The best way to document your preferences is to contact an estate planning attorney in Utah or your home state to set up a will or trust including your plans for the disposition of your body at death.
Compared to the traditional full-service burial, cremation is often less expensive, allows more time for families to plan a memorial service because they do not have to do an immediate burial, and does not require land be maintained.
There is a sharp increase in the number of Americans and Canadians being cremated at death. According to the Cremation Association of North America, the U.S. cremation rates rose from 26 percent to 41 percent from 2000 to 2010. The Canadian cremation rates rose from 48 percent to 58 percent during that time.
This continued shift from burials to cremations creates a need to better communicate your preferences. An attorney in Utah can help you include your choice for cremation, burial, or body donation in your will or trust.
“In addition to making your wishes for cremation known in your will, you should also make sure family members or close relatives know your wishes, because sometimes the will is not read until after the body is taken care of,” said Gregory Lyle, estate planning attorney in Utah at Shumway Van and Hansen.
For more information about the increase in cremations click here and contact an attorney in Utah today to make your wishes know.
Shumway Van & Hansen always offers free consultations and often times can schedule an appointment within 24 hours. For more information about estate planning please continue to utilize www.shumwayvan.com, call us at (801) 478-8080 or (702) 478-7770, or stop by either of our offices which are located at 8985 S. Eastern Ave, Suite 100, Las Vegas Nevada 89123 and 8 East Broadway, Suite 550, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. We look forward to hearing from you soon.