West Virginia Funeral State Board Practice Exam

The correct answer is that an authorized representative must carry out the decedent's wishes if the decedent provides financial resources that cover the costs. This situation typically arises in funeral planning and related services, where the financial responsibility plays a critical role in executing the decedent's preferences.

When a decedent expresses specific wishes regarding their funeral or disposition of remains, those wishes can only be practically fulfilled if there are adequate financial resources to cover the expenses involved. If the decedent has made provisions, such as pre-paying for funeral services or designating specific funds for those expenses, the authorized representative can confidently act on those wishes without the concern of accumulating costs that exceed available resources.

In contrast, while legally binding wishes and legal documentation are significant factors in determining the validity of the representative’s authority, they do not directly address the financial feasibility of fulfilling those wishes. Family agreement is also important in some contexts, but the ultimate ability to execute the decedent's wishes hinges on the availability of funds to pay for those services. Without financial resources, even legally sound plans may not be realized.

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