2011 Indiana Code
TITLE 29. PROBATE
ARTICLE 2. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 19. FUNERAL PLANNING DECLARATION

IC 29-2-19
Chapter 19. Funeral Planning Declaration

IC 29-2-19-1
"Declarant"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "declarant" means an individual who signs a funeral planning declaration executed under this chapter.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-2
"Declaration"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "declaration" means a funeral planning declaration executed under this chapter.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-3
"Designee"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "designee" means an individual directed by the terms of a declaration to:
(1) carry out the funeral plan of the declarant as set forth in the declaration; or
(2) make any arrangements concerning the disposition of the declarant's remains, funeral services, merchandise, and ceremonies that are delegated to the designee in the declaration.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-4
"Disposition"
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "disposition" has the meaning set forth in IC 25-15-2-7.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-5
"Funeral services"
Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "funeral services" has the meaning set forth in IC 25-15-2-17.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-6
"Grave memorial"
Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "grave memorial" has the meaning set forth in IC 14-21-2-2.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-7
"Merchandise"
Sec. 7. As used in this chapter, "merchandise" refers to personal property described in IC 30-2-13-8.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.
IC 29-2-19-8
Funeral planning declaration; requirements
Sec. 8. (a) A person who is of sound mind and is at least eighteen (18) years of age may execute a funeral planning declaration substantially in the form set forth in section 13 of this chapter. A declaration may not be included in a will, a power of attorney, or a similar document.
(b) A declaration must meet the following conditions:
(1) Be voluntary.
(2) Be in writing.
(3) Direct an individual to serve as the declarant's designee.
(4) Be signed by the person making the declaration or by another person in the declarant's presence and at the direction of the declarant.
(5) Be dated.
(6) Be signed in the presence of at least two (2) competent witnesses who are at least eighteen (18) years of age.
(c) The following may not be a witness to a declaration under subsection (b)(6):
(1) The person who signed the declaration on behalf of and at the direction of the declarant.
(2) A parent, spouse, or child of the declarant.
(3) An individual who is entitled to any part of the declarant's estate whether the declarant dies testate or intestate, including an individual who could take from the declarant's estate if the declarant's will is declared invalid.
For purposes of subdivision (3), a person is not considered to be entitled to any part of the declarant's estate solely by virtue of being nominated as a personal representative or as the attorney for the estate in the declarant's will.
(d) A declaration is not binding upon a funeral home, a cemetery, any other person engaged in the business of providing funeral services, any other person selling merchandise or grave markers, or any other person providing a service or other property subject to the declaration until the person receives consideration for the service, merchandise, or other property. If any provision of a declaration conflicts with:
(1) IC 23-14-31;
(2) IC 23-14-33; or
(3) IC 25-15;
the provision contained in the declaration controls.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (f), a declarant may not direct an individual who is:
(1) a provider of funeral services;
(2) responsible for any aspect of the disposition of the declarant's remains; or
(3) associated with any entity that is responsible for providing funeral services or disposing of the declarant's remains;
to be the declarant's designee in a declaration executed under this chapter. (f) Subsection (e) does not apply to an individual who is related to the declarant by birth, marriage, or adoption.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-9
Funeral planning declaration; declarant's preferences
Sec. 9. A declaration may specify the declarant's preferences concerning any of the following:
(1) The disposition of the declarant's remains after the declarant's death.
(2) Who may direct the disposition of the declarant's remains.
(3) Who may provide funeral services after the declarant's death.
(4) The ceremonial arrangements to be performed after the declarant's death.
(5) The merchandise that the declarant prefers for the disposition of the declarant's remains and any ceremonial arrangements.
(6) Who may direct the ceremonial arrangements to be performed after the declarant's death.
(7) A grave memorial.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-10
Conflict resolution
Sec. 10. The provisions of a declarant's most recent declaration prevail over any other document executed by the declarant concerning any preferences described in section 9 of this chapter. However, this section may not be construed to invalidate a power of attorney executed under IC 30-5-5 or an appointment of a health care representative under IC 16-36-1 with respect to any power or duty belonging to the attorney in fact or health care representative that is not related to a preference described in section 9 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-11
Immunity for good faith reliance
Sec. 11. (a) A person who acts in good faith reliance on a declaration is immune from liability to the same extent as if the person had dealt directly with the declarant and the declarant had been a competent and living person.
(b) A person who deals with a declaration may presume, in the absence of actual knowledge to the contrary, that:
(1) the declaration was validly executed; and
(2) the declarant was competent at the time the declaration was executed.
(c) The directions of a declarant expressed in a declaration are binding as if the declarant were alive and competent.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.
IC 29-2-19-12
Funeral planning declaration; form required; additional directions permitted
Sec. 12. A declaration must be substantially in the form set forth in section 13 of this chapter, but the declaration may include additional, specific directions. The invalidity of any additional, specific direction does not affect the validity of the declaration.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-13
Form of funeral planning declaration
Sec. 13. The following is the funeral planning declaration form:

FUNERAL PLANNING DECLARATION

Declaration made this _____ day of _______ (month, year). I, _________, being at least eighteen (18) years of age and of sound mind, willfully and voluntarily make known my instructions concerning funeral services, ceremonies, and the disposition of my remains after my death.
I hereby declare and direct that after my death __________________(name of designee) shall, as my designee, carry out the instructions that are set forth in this declaration. If my designee is unwilling or unable to act, I nominate ____________ as an alternate designee.
I hereby declare and direct that after my death the following actions be taken (indicate your choice by initialing or making your mark before signing this declaration):
(1) My body shall be:
(A) _______________ Buried. I direct that my body be buried at _______________.
(B) _______________ Cremated. I direct that my cremated remains be disposed of as follows:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
(C) _______________ Entombed. I direct that my body be entombed at _______________.
(D) _______________ I intentionally make no decision concerning the disposition of my body, leaving the decision to my designee (as named above).
(2) My arrangements shall be made as follows:
(A) I direct that funeral services be obtained from:
_______________________________________________ ___
_______________________________________________ ___
(B) I direct that the following ceremonial arrangements be made:
_______________________________________________ ___
_______________________________________________ ___ (C) I direct the selection of a grave memorial that:
_______________________________________________ ___
_______________________________________________ ___
(D) I direct that the following merchandise and other property be selected for the disposition of my remains, my funeral or other ceremonial arrangements:
_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________ ___
_______________________________________________ ___
_______________________________________________ ___
(E) __________________I direct that my designee (as named above) make all arrangements concerning ceremonies and other funeral services.
(3) In addition to the instructions listed above, I request the following:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
(4) If it is impossible to make an arrangement specified in subdivisions (1) through (3) because:
(A) a funeral home or other service provider is out of business, impossible to locate, or otherwise unable to provide the specified service; or
(B) the specified arrangement is impossible, impractical, or illegal;
I direct my designee to make alternate arrangements to the best of the designee's ability.
It is my intention that this declaration be honored by my family and others as the final expression of my intentions concerning my funeral and the disposition of my body after my death. I understand the full import of this declaration.

Signed _________________________

_______________________________

City, County, and State of Residence

The declarant is personally known to me, and I believe the declarant to be of sound mind. I did not sign the declarant's signature above for or at the direction of the declarant. I am not a parent, spouse, or child of the declarant. I am not entitled to any part of the declarant's estate. I am competent and at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Witness _______________ Date __________
Witness _______________ Date __________
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-14
Revocation Sec. 14. A declaration may be revoked by the declarant in writing or by burning, tearing, canceling, obliterating, or destroying the declaration with the intent to revoke the declaration.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-15
Effect of divorce, annulment, or separation
Sec. 15. Except as otherwise expressly provided in a declaration, a subsequent:
(1) dissolution of marriage;
(2) annulment of marriage;
(3) legal separation of the declarant and the declarant's spouse; or
(4) court determination that the declarant and spouse were physically and emotionally separated at the time of death and the separation was for an extended time that clearly demonstrates an absence of due affection, trust, and regard for the declarant;
automatically revokes a delegation of authority in a declaration to the declarant's spouse to direct the disposition of the declarant's body or to make all arrangements concerning funeral services and other ceremonies after the declarant's death.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.34-2011, SEC.6.

IC 29-2-19-16
Law governing a designee who is unable or unwilling to serve
Sec. 16. Except as otherwise provided in a declaration, section 17 of this chapter controls if a person to whom a declaration delegates the authority to make arrangements after a declarant's death is unable or unwilling to serve.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-17
Priority of individuals with authority to act concerning the disposition of a decedent's body and other arrangements
Sec. 17. The right to control the disposition of a decedent's body, to make arrangements for funeral services, and to make other ceremonial arrangements after an individual's death devolves on the following, in the priority listed:
(1) A person:
(A) granted the authority to serve in a funeral planning declaration executed by the decedent under this chapter; or
(B) named in a United States Department of Defense form "Record of Emergency Data" (DD Form 93) or a successor form adopted by the United States Department of Defense, if the decedent died while serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 1481) and completed the form.
(2) An individual specifically granted the authority in a power

of attorney or a health care power of attorney executed by the decedent under IC 30-5-5-16.
(3) The decedent's surviving spouse.
(4) A surviving adult child of the decedent or, if more than one (1) adult child is surviving, the majority of the other adult children. However, less than half of the surviving adult children have the rights under this subdivision if the adult children have used reasonable efforts to notify the other surviving adult children of their intentions and are not aware of any opposition to the final disposition instructions by more than half of the surviving adult children.
(5) The surviving parent or parents of the decedent. If one (1) of the parents is absent, the parent who is present has the rights under this subdivision if the parent who is present has used reasonable efforts to notify the absent parent.
(6) The decedent's surviving sibling or, if more than one (1) sibling is surviving, the majority of the surviving siblings. However, less than half of the surviving siblings have the rights under this subdivision if the siblings have used reasonable efforts to notify the other surviving siblings of their intentions and are not aware of any opposition to the final disposition instructions by more than half of the surviving siblings.
(7) An individual in the next degree of kinship under IC 29-1-2-1 to inherit the estate of the decedent or, if more than one (1) individual of the same degree survives, the majority of those who have the same degree of kinship. However, less than half of the individuals who have the same degree of kinship have the rights under this subdivision if they have used reasonable efforts to notify the other individuals who have the same degree of kinship of their intentions and are not aware of any opposition to the final disposition instructions by more than half of the individuals who have the same degree of kinship.
(8) If none of the persons described in subdivisions (1) through (7) are available, any other person willing to act and arrange for the final disposition of the decedent, including a funeral home that:
(A) has a valid prepaid funeral plan executed under IC 30-2-13 that makes arrangements for the disposition of the decedent; and
(B) attests in writing that a good faith effort has been made to contact any living individuals described in subdivisions (1) through (7).
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.101-2010, SEC.4; P.L.34-2011, SEC.7.

IC 29-2-19-18
Reliance on out-of-state declarations
Sec. 18. A person in Indiana may rely on a declaration or similar instrument that was executed in another state and that complies with the requirements of this chapter to the extent that an action requested

by the declarant in the declaration or similar instrument does not violate any federal or Indiana law or any ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.

IC 29-2-19-19
Actions to contest the validity of a funeral planning declaration
Sec. 19. An action to contest the validity of any declaration made under this chapter must be:
(1) brought in the same manner as an action to contest the validity of a will under IC 29-1-7;
(2) filed in the circuit court of the county in which the declarant's remains are located;
(3) expedited on the docket of the circuit court as a matter requiring priority; and
(4) accompanied by a bond, cash deposit, or other surety sufficient to guarantee that the hospital, nursing home, funeral home, or other institution holding the declarant's remains is compensated for the storage charges incurred while the action is pending.
As added by P.L.143-2009, SEC.14.