You will need to go to an attorney and have a will and a living will drawn up. Be sure to include the name of a person you want to act in your behalf if you’re rendered incapable of making decisions on your own. Also include specific instructions about the type of funeral you want, and the fact that you want to be cremated.Additionally, include instructions about what you want done with your ashes.

Next, go to a funeral home and get a prepaid plan. That would include prepaying for your funeral (there are all different prices) and your cremation. Select the urn you want. If you want your ashes scattered somewhere, you’ll probably just want a plain box that’s used for that purpose. If you do want them scattered over land, you have to get permission from local authorities to do that. Human remains may be considered “contaminating”. You can ask the funeral director what the procedures are for that in your area.

If you and your family are at odds over your religion, be sure they’re aware of your choices. If you are a member of a church, talk to your priest and tell him what you want done. Make copies of your will and your living will. Designate someone (preferably not a family member) to act in your stead when these plans have to be carried out. Give that person a copy of the paperwork, put the original in a safety deposit box in your bank (make that designated person available so he/she can get into the safety deposit box and they will have a key when needed) and you might want to give a copy to a trusted member of your family. Talk to the attorney you select and ask if there’s anything else you need to do.