In the Matter of the Estate of Downing

Summary

The Court reversed an injunction requiring the decedent's personal representative to bury his remains because the movants failed to introduce a written document executed by the decedent that satisfied the statutory requirements for controlling disposition of remains. Testimony about the decedent's burial preferences and the alleged existence of burial-plot documents was insufficient, particularly because the documents were not offered and the best-evidence rule applied. The matter was remanded for further probate proceedings consistent with the opinion.