A decedent directed and paid for his funeral and burial expenses completely. Under what circumstances may the survivors alter the arrangements?

• A. Under any circumstances
• B. When there is signed and dated statement in the directions allowing the arrangements to be changed
• C. Under no circumstance
• D. Only when the majority of the survivors object to the arrangements

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the decedent’s instructions about funeral and burial control the arrangements, especially when they have paid for them in advance. Survivors may alter the plan only if the directions themselves include explicit permission to make changes. A signed and dated statement within the directive that authorizes modification provides clear, verifiable authority for any change. This preserves the decedent’s autonomy and provides a concrete basis for the survivor’s action, avoiding disputes and ensuring the funeral director follows the authorized plan.

That’s why other options don’t fit: changes aren’t allowed just “under any circumstances,” nor are they permitted by default with no permission. They also aren’t allowed simply because a majority of survivors objects, since the decedent’s written directive and its authorized provisions take precedence.