Juliana Janson
What happens if the person who’s deceased did not fill it out? How is it determined in that case?
Timothy Grant
Well, actually, clear on the document, and I can certainly email it out to you, it’s a state document, but it says that that person has to sign and they have to be of sound mind. So when mom and dad sign or whomever signs, they also have to sign that document in front of two witnesses. So they sign, the agent will sign, and then two witnesses have to to verify that both whomever the document is for and the agent signed. And also a power of attorney cannot sign this document. It has to be for the individual, and they have to be of sound mind to sign it. There is Usually no question on that document.
Christy Sharkey
She says no one does. At the time of passing, if they did not fill it out, we legally, we also have another New York State form that we could show you that is stating who legally is the next of kin, who is going to be the one responsible. It’s going to be the spouse or the domestic partner, or then it’s going to be the children over the age of 18. So when it comes to families that do not all get along, we do not get involved in that. We need to wait till they’re all on the same page, especially if it’s cremation, because in New York State, all legal next kids need to sign off on cremation. So if there’s a brother that you don’t speak to, you need to find a way to get in touch with him or mom or dad are not being cremated. But again, in most situations, we don’t come across any issues. It’s always going to be the children that come in for the arrangements. And if one can’t, they either call themselves in or they give us a phone call. We could get in writing that they agree for their siblings to take full control of the funeral if there’s no kids, we keep going down the list to see who legally is that next of kin.