My family had purchased eight plots in a cemetery in N.Y. Four of the plots are available. I live in Florida, but would like to be buried in my family plot. Is all this accomplished by a probate attorney or should I personally pay a visit to an undertaker in Florida to make arrangements and pay for this beforehand.

It shouldn't be necessary to hire an attorney to arrange your burial. Contact an undertaker in you location, who can make the arrangements.

You should, however consult with an attorney in your state of residence to make sure your estate planning is current and complete.

The main thing also, is to be sure, that your next of kin, the people who will take care of this, know your wishes and will agree to it, I would make sure it is in the will and also written instructions are given to those people who will take care of it.

If merely verbal, family members have no obligation to do it. It does work well, if you make arrangements with a funeral home and have it all pre-paid and arranged, unless of course the funeral home goes out of business.

Complete a state approved Final Health Directive. Many state forms ask if you want to be buried or cremated. Give this to the person you choose in the Directive and keep a copy for probate.

You don’t have to hire an attorney. You can ask the funeral director in your parental state to take care for the funeral arrangements and sign a contract with him for the pre-planning of your funeral and burial in one of those plots.

John.

I agree that you don't need an attorney. But just contacting a local funeral director is not enough. You should be contacting the family member who controls the block of cemetery plots. Make sure your wishes are known. Make sure your arrangements with a local director are left in a place where they can be found after your demise so the people responsible will know your wishes.

Most likely you are going to have to contact both places of your choosing. You can speak with a funeral director in your area as to how things are treated at that end and also your going to need to contact the cemetary so they also are aware of your plans and can help with any final expenses in advance so it goes smoothly. What you dont want is any infighting after you pass.