(755 ILCS 65/40)

Sec. 40. Directions by decedent.

(a) A person may provide written directions for the disposition or designate an agent to direct the disposition, including cremation, of the person's remains in a will, a prepaid funeral or burial contract, a power of attorney that satisfies the provisions of Article IV-Powers of Attorney for Health Care of the Illinois Power of Attorney Act and contains a power to direct the disposition of remains, a cremation authorization form that complies with the Crematory Regulation Act, or in a written instrument that satisfies the provisions of Sections 10 and 15 and that is signed by the person and notarized. The directions may include instructions regarding gender identity, including, but not limited to, instructions with respect to appearance, chosen name, and gender pronouns, regardless of whether the person has obtained a court-ordered name change, changed the gender marker on any identification document, or undergone any transition-related medical treatment. The directions may be modified or revoked only by a subsequent writing signed by the person. The person otherwise entitled to control the disposition of a decedent's remains under this Act shall faithfully carry out the directions of the decedent to the extent that the decedent's estate or the person controlling the disposition are financially able to do so.

The changes made by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly shall also apply to any written instrument that: (i) satisfies the provision of Article IV-Powers of Attorney for Health Care of the Illinois Power of Attorney Act; (ii) contains a power to direct the disposition of remains; and (iii) was created before the effective date of this amendatory Act.

(b) If the directions are in a will, they shall be carried out immediately without the necessity of probate. If the will is not probated or is declared invalid for testamentary purposes, the directions are valid to the extent to which they have been acted on in good faith.

(Source: P.A. 99-417, eff. 1-1-16.)