Yes and No in New Jersey.  Yes, you can make their funeral arrangements as P.O.A.  Power of Attorney gives you the right to act on their behalf while they are alive, depending on what kind of P.O.A you have.  But the authority to consent to their cremation must be authorized by their next of kin unless in the will you are named as their funeral agent.  (refer to our first blog about funeral agent)  Remeber, P.O.A ends the moment the person dies.  Executor in NJ does not take place until the will is filed.  A will in NJ can not be filed until ten working days after the date of death.  Therefore, next of kin holds the authority to consent for cremation between the two titles unless you are also a funeral agent.