Nebraska

Advance Directives 

Advance Directives are legal documents that allow you to make known your end-of-life care ahead of time. The state of Nebraska recognizes your right to decide the terms of your own medical treatment and to assign a person to make those decisions when you are not able to do so. 

Here are some important questions to consider before beginning this process:

  • Is this document(s) state specific? No

  • Does this document(s) need to be notarized? Yes

  • Does this document(s) require witnesses? If so, how many? Yes / 2

  • Can you legally use Aging With Dignity's 5 Wishes DocYes

There is a single Advance Directive form for Nebraska that you can download by clicking the button below:

NEBRASKA ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FORM

(Source: Nebraska Medecine)

Death With Dignity

Death with Dignity laws allow the dying more control of their death and end-of-life decisions. These laws allow terminally-ill, able-minded state residents to request and receive prescription medication to hasten their death.

In Nebraska, Death With Dignity legislation has not been passed however Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers (I-North Omaha) renewed his effort to pass an assisted dying bill by introducing LB 450, Patient Choice at End of Life Act, on January 17, 2017.

To follow this legislation see Death with Death with Dignity's Nebraska page.

Designated Funeral Agent

Nebraska law (statute 71-1339 )supports the appointment of a designated funeral agent to follow through on your written or oral personal preferences (see below) or make funeral arrangements on your behalf if no written preferences are indicated.

The appointment of a designated funeral agent will override the next-of-kin's usual authority and let the citizen designate whom he/she wants to control the disposition of his body.

Financial Assistance

The state of Nebraska does not provide funding for burial assistance though some Counties provide assistance via a General Assistance program.

See our Financial Assistance Chart for more details.

Home Funeral

Nebraska is one of 10 states that places restrictions on a family's right to a home funerals, or family led funerals. Nebraska law requires a funeral director to supervise all dispositions and gives funeral directors the right and authority to issue “transit permits” to move the body out of state.

Check with the National Home Funeral Alliance for up-to-date details on these home funeral restrictions.

Personal Preference Law

In Nebraska, written or oral wishes of the deceased regarding disposition must be honored. We always recommend outlining your funeral preference in writing and sharing them with your designated funeral agent, next-of-kin, or spouse, giving you the best chance of having them seen through or upheld in the courts.