The Living Will Guide: What You Should Know

Planning ahead gives your loved ones peace of mind and helps ensure that your healthcare and final wishes are honored. A key part of that planning is creating a living will — a legal document that outlines what kind of medical care you do or do not want if you're ever unable to speak for yourself.

Pairing your living will with practical plans, such as prepaid cremation, can help your family avoid difficult decisions and unexpected costs during an already emotional time.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Understand What a Living Will Is

A living will is a type of advance directive, a legal document that spells out your preferences for medical treatment if you’re seriously ill, injured, or otherwise unable to communicate. This includes whether you’d want to:

• Be placed on a ventilator
• Receive artificial nutrition or hydration
• Be resuscitated in the event your heart stops

Unlike a last will and testament, which deals with your estate after death, a living will only applies while you are alive but incapacitated. It becomes inactive upon your death.

Step 2: Know What Else to Include

In addition to medical treatment preferences, you may want to complete other related documents:

• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA): Assigns a trusted person (your agent) to make health care decisions on your behalf.
• Health Care Proxy: Similar to a DPOA, this authorizes someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: Tells health care professionals not to perform CPR.
• Organ Donation Registration: Indicates your wish to donate organs or tissues.

Together, these documents provide a more comprehensive picture of your preferences and who should speak on your behalf if you're unable to do so.

Step 3: Talk to Your Loved Ones and Healthcare Providers

While creating a living will is a personal decision, it’s important to involve your family and physician. Your loved ones should understand your preferences in case they are asked to make decisions on your behalf. A physician can help explain the medical terminology and implications of different life-saving interventions.

Be sure to communicate clearly about your wishes and give copies of your signed documents to:

• Your doctor
• Your health care proxy or DPOA
• Trusted family members

Step 4: Obtain the Correct Living Will Form

Living will forms vary by state, so it’s essential to use the correct version for your state of residence. You can usually get a form through:

• Your physician’s office or hospital
• A local attorney
• A hospice provider
• Your state’s health department website
• Online legal resources from the National Institute on Aging

These forms often include checkboxes or simple prompts, but you may attach a separate page if you want to expand on your preferences.

Step 5: Complete and Validate the Form

Most states require that you sign your living will in front of one or two witnesses, and some require notarization. Once validated, the living will is legally binding.

Store the original in a safe but accessible place, and provide copies to your:

• Health care provider
• Agent or proxy
• Spouse or next of kin
• Attorney, if applicable

You can revise or revoke your living will at any time, especially if your health status or beliefs change.

Step 6: Choose a Funeral Plan 

Once you’ve taken care of your medical directives, the next step is to consider your final wishes. Many people choose simple cremation because it’s affordable and flexible. This option allows your family to hold a memorial at a later date, when and where they feel most comfortable.

You can also explore prepaid cremation plans, which allow you to lock in today’s prices and spare your family from financial stress in the future. Prepaying ensures your wishes are followed and gives you full control over the service details.

Step 7: Stay Informed About Your Rights

Under the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991, all healthcare facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid must:

• Inform you of your rights to make advance medical decisions
• Ask if you have a living will or advance directive
• Respect and honor your documented wishes

You have the legal right to decide what kind of care you receive—and to refuse care you do not want.

How Tulip Cremation Can Help

At Tulip, we believe in planning ahead with care and confidence. Whether you’re looking to document your healthcare wishes or make your final arrangements, we’re here for you. Our direct cremation services are simple, dignified, and affordable. 

You can make arrangements online or by calling our 24/7 Family Care Team at (844) 942-4909. When you're ready, we're here to support you — no pressure, just peace of mind.