Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 265 – Declaration of disposition of last remains; form
The following declaration of disposition of last remains must be substantially in the following form:
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 265
- Declarant: means a competent adult who signs a declaration pursuant to the provisions of this article. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 260
- Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
- Last remains: means the deceased's body or cremains after death. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 260
- Lawful age: means the age of 18 years or older. See Delaware Code Title 1 Sec. 302
- Party: means the respondent, petitioner, guardian, conservator, or any other person allowed by the Court to participate in a guardianship or protective proceeding. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 39A-101
- Third party: includes , but is not limited to, a funeral director, mortician, mortuary, crematorium, or cemetery. See Delaware Code Title 12 Sec. 260
DECLARATION OF DISPOSITION OF LAST REMAINS
I, (Name of Declarant), being of sound mind and lawful age, hereby revoke all prior declarations, wills, codicils, trusts, powers of appointment, and powers of attorney regarding the disposition of my last remains, and I declare and direct that after my death the following provisions be taken:
1.?If permitted by law, my body shall be (Initial ONE choice):
Buried. I direct that my body be buried at .
Cremated. I direct that my cremated remains be disposed of as follows:
.
Entombed. I direct that my body be entombed at .
Other. I direct that my body be disposed of as follows: .
Disposed of as (Name of Designee) shall decide in writing. If is unwilling or unable to act, I nominate as my alternate designee.
2.?I request that the following ceremonial arrangements be made (initial desired choice or choices):
I request (Name of designee) make all arrangements for any ceremonies, consistent with my directions set forth in this declaration. If is unwilling or unable to act, I nominate as my alternate designee.
Funeral. I request the following arrangements for my funeral:
.
Memorial Service. I request the following arrangements for my memorial service:
.
3.?Special Instructions. In addition to the instructions above, I request (on the following lines you may make special requests regarding ceremonies or lack of ceremonies):
.
Note: Those persons or entities asked to carry out a declarant’s intent regarding disposition of last remains and ceremonial arrangements need do so only if the declarant’s intent is reasonable under the circumstances. “Reasonable under the Circumstances” may take into consideration factors such as a known prepaid funeral, burial, or cremation plan of the declarant, the size of the declarant’s estate, cultural or family customs, the declarant’s religious or spiritual beliefs, the known or reasonably ascertainable creditors of the declarant, and the declarant’s financial situation prior to death.
I may revoke or amend this declaration in writing at any time. I agree that a third party who receives a copy of this declaration may act according to it. Revocation of this declaration is not effective as to a third party until the third party learns of my revocation. My estate shall indemnify any third party for costs incurred as a result of claims that arise against the third party because of good-faith reliance on this declaration.
I execute this declaration as my free and voluntary act, on .
(Declarant) .
The following section regarding organ and tissue donation is optional. To make a donation, initial the option you select and sign below.
In the hope that I might help others, I hereby make an anatomical gift, to be effective upon my death, of:
A. Any needed organs/tissues.
B. The following organs/tissues:
.
Donor signature: .
Notarization Optional:
State of Delaware
County of ?:
Acknowledged before me by , Declarant, on , . My commission expires:
*(Seal) Notary Public .