Preparing Your Loved Ones for Your Death

Preparing Your Loved Ones for Your Death

Death is not really something anyone wants to talk about, or even really think about. Unfortunately, it's an unavoidable fact that you will die. It could happen later today, or 70 years from now, but you will, in fact, die at some point. Because death could come at any minute, regardless of how old or young you are, it is important to prepare those you love for your death. Here are some things you need to discuss with your trusted loved ones before death comes calling.

Funeral Plans

All adults should work with a funeral home to pre-plan and pre-pay for their funeral. If everything is already planned and paid for, the only thing your loved one needs to know is the name of the funeral home where this has been done. When you die, regardless of where you die, your chosen funeral home will need to be contacted to pick up your body and prepare it or dispose of it as you have pre-planned. This is much easier on your loved ones than the alternatives.

If you have insurance that will cover the cost of your burial, and you have not pre-planned your funeral, take the time to write exactly what you want done with your body, and what you prefer for your funeral. Make sure your loved one knows where to find this information, as well as the insurance policy.

Insurance

You may have final medical expenses, so your loved ones will need to know the insurance policy information so those bills can get paid. They need to know about other insurance policies, what you intend them to cover, and where to find that information. This should include your auto insurance, home insurance, and life insurance. You could die in a car accident, in a house fire, or from an illness. Hopefully, you have insurance to cover these possibilities.

Financial Accounts

Your financial accounts may include your checking accounts, savings accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, and more. Your loved one needs to know where these accounts are located, and how they can access them after you are gone.

Real Property

Your loved ones probably know about the house you own and live in, but what about other real property you may have bought or inherited? Make sure the people who will handle your after-life business are aware of mortgages and other important details concerning any real property you own.

Passwords

The Internet has become an important part of everyone's lives, it seems. All of your passwords and usernames need to be accessible in a hard copy. Print them out or write them out and be sure to include the URLs for those passwords. Make sure you include PINs for debit cards and credit cards as well.

Where to find your will and important documents

Hopefully, you are keeping all of your important documents in a safe place, such as a fireproof safe in your home or in a safe deposit box at your bank. Regardless of where all of your important documents are kept, someone needs to know where they are and how to access them. Is there a key? Do they need a safe combination?

What to do with your unbequeathed possessions

If you don't already have a will, get one immediately. You can do your own will through multiple online sources or work with your personal attorney to have a will drawn up, signed, and witnessed.

This will should be stored with your other important documents, and it may state that you want your favorite sports hat to go to cousin Steve and you want your sister Sue to have all of your jewelry, but most people do own items they do not bequeath to others, such as clothes, shoes, furniture, an iPod or even a collection of teddy bears. What should your loved ones do with all that stuff?

The more you can do to prepare for your death, and to prepare your loved ones for your death, the easier it will be for those who are left behind when you move past this life. This level of planning makes it possible for the people you love to just celebrate your life, instead of being forced to deal with all the tedious details that surround the end of your life.

Jocelyn Aleiadih, LCSW

www.yourlifepathcenter.com