Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a funeral planning declaration?

In a funeral planning declaration, it is essential that certain criteria are met to ensure the document is valid and enforceable. The requirement that it must be signed in front of one witness is not a necessary condition for the declaration to be considered valid in many jurisdictions. Instead, the focus often lies on ensuring that the declaration is created voluntarily, written down, and includes a date.

The importance of having the declaration be voluntary emphasizes that individuals should freely choose to express their wishes regarding funeral arrangements without any coercion. Writing down the declaration provides a clear, tangible document that can be referenced later, helping to eliminate ambiguity about the individual's wishes. Additionally, dating the document establishes a timeline, which can be crucial in determining the most current wishes of the individual in the event of multiple declarations over time.

Since the requirement for a witness is not universally mandated, identifying it as a non-requirement helps clarify that individuals can effectively communicate their funeral preferences even without the presence of witnesses at the time of signing.