Dealing with Nontraditional Next of Kin During Direct Cremation in Yukon, OK
Every year, cremation facilities meet with families to facilitate a direct cremation in Yukon, OK. Due to the nature of this work, sometimes the occasion will come where a cremation facility will have to deal with what’s known as a person in a nontraditional next of kin relationship to the deceased.
With these types of cases, it is extremely important to know what Oklahoma law says about these types of next of kin relationships, hopefully before a death happens. Some of these relationships that could be classified as a nontraditional next of kin relationship include a same sex union, a common law marriage, and separated couples that are still legally married.
Common Law Marriages in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, common law marriages operate a lot like other valid and legal marriages. Once you and your partner fill out the appropriate paperwork with the state, your partner is immediately your next of kin. But if you want your partner to be able to legally authorize your direct cremation, the two of you will want to discuss your plans for legal marriage sometime in the near future. That’s because in the state of Oklahoma, most cremation facilities would rather ask another person on the next of kin hierarchy to sign the paperwork as opposed to asking the partner in a relationship that the state doesn’t see as 100% legally binding.
Same Sex Unions In Oklahoma
As long as the same sex couple is legally married, Oklahoma law states that the surviving spouse can serve as the next of kin, just as with a heterosexual marriage. If the couple were not married at the time of the death, the cremation facility will look to either a surviving parent or other relative to sign the cremation paperwork.
Separated Couples Who Are Still Legally Married
This scenario is actually pretty common. When it comes to making arrangements for a direct cremation in Yukon, OH, this scenario is one which can cause a lot of delays. That’s because in the state of Oklahoma, it is the legal spouse that bears all of the financial responsibility for the direct cremation and other costs.
Even in cases where the separated couple has not communicated to each other in decades, the surviving spouse may find themselves in a bit of a financial conundrum. In circumstances where the surviving spouse can not be located, this can cause many delays in the cremation and burial process. While some cremation facilities have plans in place for unreachable next of kins, this affects whether or not the actual cremation can take place.
Planning for all of the unknowns after the death of a loved one is tough. This certainly includes arranging a direct cremation in Yukon, OK. If you are interested in learning more about how the staff at Oklahoma City Cremation can help you and your family get through this hard time, call or visit our Yukon, OK facility during normal business hours. We can help you through all aspects of the direct cremation process.
