Domestic Partnership: Your Rights to Plan Your Partners Funeral
Domestic partners share laughter, trials, and dreams and a life together. It, therefore, makes sense that a domestic partner should be the one to plan the funeral services when his or her loved one passes away. This guide explains the rights a domestic partner has for making funeral arrangements:
- Defining Partnership
Barring a lawyer given power of attorney, domestic partners are granted disposition rights after a loved one has passed. However, this domestic partner must be officially documented by the State of California Domestic Partner Registry. Any two persons over the age of 18 that are not related by blood or marriage are eligible for domestic partnership registry. According to the City Clerk of Oakland, partners also much share “common necessities of life” and have “resided together for at least six months prior to filing an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership .” Once these steps have been completed, a domestic partner is put in full control of funeral arrangements.
- Disposition Details
The state of California’s Department of Consumer Affairs grants numerous rights to a surviving domestic partner. In terms of funeral arrangements, a domestic partner may choose funeral decorations incorporated into the service. Additionally, a domestic partner is in full control of the type of funeral service being held. If the domestic partner is unavailable or incompetent, these rights will be transferred to adult children or surviving parents.
- Arrangement Rights
Department of Consumer Affairs provides several protections for surviving partners and family members. All funeral homes are required to quote prices over the phone and provide price lists during personal visits. Likewise, California law requires casket sellers to provide a written price list of caskets and alternative burial containers. Learn more by visiting the Department of Consumer Affairs online.
At the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland, we understand that the loss of a loved one is an inconsolable tragedy. We offer first-class funeral services and outstanding facilities to help you during your time of mourning. Contact us at (510) 992-6709 for additional details.
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