One Man’s Strange Burial Wishes

Robert Norton, of Pekin, IL, had one final wish: To be buried in the nude. A lifelong naturist who spent most of his life unclothed (much to the chagrin of some of his neighbors), Mr. Norton asked his family to lay him to rest just that way, without a stitch of clothing. His family, however, had other ideas, and laid Mr. Norton to rest in grey trousers and a shirt. Mr. Norton’s final wish, however unusual, was not carried out.

To ensure that your final wishes are fulfilled, it is best to make arrangements yourself and make your wishes well known to those around you. As always, communication is vital, and there are several methods to be certain that your final wishes are carried out, no matter how mundane or far-out they may be.

Prepaid Funeral Arrangements—While this is still not a 100% guarantee, setting up your funeral arrangements ahead of time is a good start. By picking the funeral home and discussing your wishes with the funeral director, you will have a much better chance at having your wishes carried out as you desire. A danger lies in that your wishes can be circumvented by the use of a different funeral home by your heirs.

Select Your Trustee Carefully—The trustee is the individual you choose to make decisions after your passing, from disposition of your assets to burial arrangements. This person wields a lot of power and can be the one to make sure your last requests are taken care of. Be sure to select a person who will respect your wishes.

Provisions In Your Trust—While an extreme tactic, a provision in your trust that disinherits the individual responsible for your burial if your wishes are not carried out can be a powerful incentive to have your desires respected.