Can a surrogate or agent make funeral arrangements in Washington State?

In Washington State, a surrogate or agent can indeed make funeral arrangements if they are legally designated through a durable power of attorney. This legal instrument allows a person to appoint another individual to make decisions on their behalf, which includes decisions related to funeral arrangements.

The durable power of attorney must specifically grant the agent the authority to handle funeral and burial arrangements. This provision ensures that the designated individual has the legal capacity to act in accordance with the wishes of the person who granted the power of attorney, thereby allowing for the proper handling of the deceased's final arrangements even if they were not able to make them directly.

This framework is crucial because it ensures that the individual's preferences are respected and that there is a clear legal pathway for someone other than the immediate family to take on this responsibility, providing flexibility in situations where the preferred decision-maker may not be available or is not an immediate family member.