Marriage doesn’t automatically give you the legal authority to act on your spouse’s behalf. If your partner becomes incapacitated and you don’t have a power of attorney in place, you may be blocked from accessing accounts, managing bills, or even talking to their insurance provider. Love and commitment matter—but in the eyes of the law, it’s all about agency. And that has to be granted, not assumed.

Cremation might seem like the simpler choice—but there’s still a lot to consider. From legal consent to family dynamics to what actually happens after the ashes are returned, this isn’t something you want to leave to chance. If you want your wishes honored (and to avoid a family feud in a funeral home parking lot), it starts with clear planning, real conversations, and putting it all in writing.