Q: How does cremation work? A: When a body is cremated, it's heated intensely—at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit or higher -- in a retort, or ovenlike device, until it's reduced to ash and bone fragments...

Q: Is embalming necessary? A: Rarely. There's a popular misconception that embalming, in which a body is treated to slow its disintegration, is always required by law after death...

Q: My mom lives in New Jersey. Her stepson presently has power of attorney and he wants to transfer it to me, her blood son. Mom has late stage Alzheimer's. Can this be done? A: Unfortunately, if...

Barbara Kate Repa, a lawyer and journalist, has devoted her career to editing and writing about legal issues for consumers. Shes the author of WillMaker (Nolo), best-selling software that enables...

Q: My husband is dying of an illness. We have not done much preparations for his funeral. I have a life insurance policy on him. Can this be used to help cover the funeral costs and everything to...

Q: My brother is the executor of our mother's finances. If he were to get mad, could he cause damage, ruin, or swindle her money away without her knowledge? A: There are a couple of pesky legal...