[nsbyd1975]

My father had passed away just this Saturday Morning and my Aunt did't call me until later that night.But my queistion is Am I the next of Kin (Being the only child) or is my Grandmother and Aunt?

[ScottGem]

First my condolences on your loss.

From a legal standpoint, first comes current spouse, then offspring, then parents, then siblings.

Why do you need to know?

[stinawords]

Are you asking be cause you weren't phoned first? Not to pry but was it a sudden death? I ask because if he was at work or at a doctor or whatever that he would have had a paper on file with an emergency contact they would contact that person first.

[nsbyd1975]

He passed just (sadly) Saturday morning and I was not notified until way later that night and in a very cold way at that. My Aunt told me over the machine and she said his name not Dad. But the only reason why I am asking this is because my dad didn't want a funeral he wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered on a golf course,and her and my grand mother where in charge of that because they were the only closest living relatives? I just need to know who is in charge and what I should do?

[nsbyd1975]

No it was not a quick death he had cancer in throat and lungs. His treatments weren't working but I do not know what happened that morning or if he was in the hospital long ? Nobody told me nothing..

[Fr_Chuck]

No, so why are they in charge? Does his will put him in charge ? You are the closest family member and should be doing the funeral arrangements, go see the funeral director.

[ScottGem]

As Chuck said, unless there is a will assigning them as administrators of his estate, then you, as next of kin are in charge. If you want to be in charge, then call up your aunt and grandmother and tell them you are next of kin and you will handle the arrangements. Then call the hospital or wherever he died and start making arrangements.

[stinawords]

Do you know if he had a will? If so ask the hospital if your grandmother or aunt were named to handle his care/death arrangements. The hospital should have some sort of record of who he named (if anyone). If there is no will then yes, you would be next of kin and should be making arrangements. I would quickly check in to the whole will thing in the morning though just so if he did name them you don't alienate yourself more by getting an attitude with your aunt and grandmother if he did name them.