Funeral Consumers Alliance

Lisa - generally, the ashes belong to the next of kin (or the legally designated agent of the deceased). However, this gets complicated if someone *other* than the NOK or agent has paid the bill for the cremation because the family wouldn't do so. If the family is fighting over the ashes (and it's really, really best to try to rise above this and settle it like adults), they may have to go to probate court. This is highly unpleasant, and I urge families to make every effort to avoid it. Funeral Consumers Alliance staff