What legal document authorizes a person to make decisions about a funeral service?

The funeral service contract is the legal document that authorizes a person to make decisions about arrangements for a funeral service. This agreement is typically made between the individual (or their representative) and the funeral service provider, outlining the specific services to be rendered and the obligations of both parties regarding payment and service provision.

A death certificate primarily serves as an official record of an individual's death and is important for legal, financial, and administrative purposes, but it does not grant authority over funeral arrangements. A living will expresses an individual’s wishes regarding medical treatment if they become unable to communicate, but it doesn't pertain to decisions about funeral arrangements. A power of attorney provides a person with the authority to make decisions on behalf of another in a variety of situations, but it needs to be specifically designated for funeral-related decisions to apply in that context.

Thus, the funeral service contract specifically lays out the terms and responsibilities related to funeral services, making it the appropriate document for authorizing funeral decisions.