Dach, I had to sign an affidavit with the crematorium that my dad was single, his parents were deceased and identify his living children, with contact information, if available.
I had to attest that I was his legal daughter and they let me handle everything.
If you're your sisters only living family you will be able to take care of her final arrangements. If not, her legal next of kin will have to do it or sign that you can do it.
When my nephew died, I couldn't even pay for the cremation until my brother signed away his rights as legal next of kin and assigned me as the representative.
I would call a crematorium or funeral home and ask them how it works in your state. They can send you the paperwork via email, so you can see what is required.
The moment someone passes away the PoA duties of their assigned person end immediately.
"Dying in intestate means that the deceased person did not leave a Will. A Will is a legal document that expresses the person’s wishes as to how their assets are to be distributed after their death. It also gives authority to the person(s) who can give instructions for funeral arrangements.
If there isn’t a Will, who can make funeral arrangements? The courts can appoint an administrator to settle the estate and to make funeral arrangements. There is an order that is followed for determining who may give instructions when there is no Will. 1) Spouse 2) Adult Children 3) Grandchildren 4) Great-Grandchildren 5) Parents 6) Siblings 7) Grandparents 8) Other Relatives"
Family, or next of kin is normally asked to make arrangements. If she has only you as family, and you were POA, and you can afford to pay up front costs of funeral, then they will usually allow you to do it. But under normal circumstances it would be the executor of her will or the Trustee of her Trust. POA stops at the instant of death. It would be a really good idea now to prepay for services in your area. This may save you inflationary costs and everything will be done by you and her or by you if she is not longer competent to make arrangements. As POA you will sign her name on the check with your name as POA just as you do all other financial business for her. Best of luck.
I had to attest that I was his legal daughter and they let me handle everything.
If you're your sisters only living family you will be able to take care of her final arrangements. If not, her legal next of kin will have to do it or sign that you can do it.
When my nephew died, I couldn't even pay for the cremation until my brother signed away his rights as legal next of kin and assigned me as the representative.
I would call a crematorium or funeral home and ask them how it works in your state. They can send you the paperwork via email, so you can see what is required.
"Dying in intestate means that the deceased person did not leave a Will. A Will is a legal document that expresses the person’s wishes as to how their assets are to be distributed after their death. It also gives authority to the person(s) who can give instructions for funeral arrangements.
If there isn’t a Will, who can make funeral arrangements?
The courts can appoint an administrator to settle the estate and to make funeral arrangements. There is an order that is followed for determining who may give instructions when there is no Will.
1) Spouse
2) Adult Children
3) Grandchildren
4) Great-Grandchildren
5) Parents
6) Siblings
7) Grandparents
8) Other Relatives"
Source: https://basicfunerals.ca/funeral/intestate-dying-without-a-will-and-how-it-impacts-funeral-arrangements
Interesting how different California is from other states.
It would be a really good idea now to prepay for services in your area. This may save you inflationary costs and everything will be done by you and her or by you if she is not longer competent to make arrangements. As POA you will sign her name on the check with your name as POA just as you do all other financial business for her.
Best of luck.