What form is required for an adult to authorize another person to order burial/cremation?

• A. A properly formatted affidavit before a notary.
• B. An informal note.
• C. A text message.
• D. A court order.

Answer: (A)

When a adult is authorizing someone else to order burial or cremation, the required form is a written, sworn statement that is properly formatted and notarized. This affidavit provides a clear, legally binding record of the authorizing person’s intent and identity, which funeral homes rely on to confirm authority before proceeding. The notary’s role is to verify who signed the document and that the signer did so willingly, adding a layer of protection against fraud or miscommunication.

Informal notes or text messages don’t carry the legal weight or standardized content needed for these decisions, so they aren’t suitable for authorizing burial or cremation. A court order is not the usual method for this purpose and would only come into play if there were a dispute or incapacity requiring judicial intervention.