An Act designating right of disposition

This bill establishes a legal framework in Massachusetts that allows adults to designate a specific individual to control the disposition of their remains after death. It enables people to make these choices through pre-need funeral contracts or a sworn affidavit, which can only be canceled or changed by the designated person or if the funds set aside are insufficient. The legislation creates a clear hierarchy of authority, starting with the person named in the affidavit and then moving to the surviving spouse, children, parents, and other relatives if no specific designee exists. If no eligible family members are available, the bill grants this responsibility to the funeral director holding the body after they confirm they have made reasonable efforts to locate relatives.