PREPPING FOR THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE
Ø If your loved one were to pass or become incapacitated, do you have access to their passwords and account numbers?
Ø Do you have an Advance Directive and Power of Attorney on file?
Ø Do you know their burial wishes?
It’s tough stuff, but no matter what age your loved ones are, this will eventually affect us all. We’ll talk about steps to take to ensure a smoother experience when these difficult times arise.
Disclaimer: This may not be a “comprehensive list” and it is always recommended you consult with an attorney or estate planning professional when creating legal documents.
Please always check local, state, federal, and international guidelines for these processes.
I do hope this session starts to point you in the right directions!
Ø Bank & Investment Accounts
Ø Credit Card Accounts
Ø Mortgages & Other Debt Accounts
Ø Memberships & Dues (paid to an organization)
Ø Social Security
Ø Health Insurance & Coverages (includes Medicare accounts)
Ø Email & Online Accounts
Ø Social Media Accounts
Good time to enact a password manager. Pay a company such as One Password to ensure better security and “non hackable” passwords. They allow you to go to each site to choose a more difficult password, but you only need to remember one password to get you into you’re your own password manager where your other passwords are stored. They will provide you with a printable page with your passwords that you can hand over to a loved one to keep in the event of something happening. It is recommended to keep them in a fireproof safe.
LEGAL DOCUMENTS & WISHES
Ø Advance Directive (aka Living Will) ( something for your health – level of resuscitation, CPR, feeding tubes, etc. – may need it notarized)
Ø Power of Attorneys (Prepping for someone’s care while they are still alive; Only valid when loved one is alive; should be put on file with major institutions while caregiving) (may help to put it on file at an institution so they know in advance you’re the one in charge should that happen)
Ø Will (you will likely need to go to court and get the probate to get the assets distributed)
Ø Living Trust (“ “ not have to go to court “ “ “ )
Ø Funeral Wishes (Plot? Cremation? Color of coffin?)
AND WHO HAS YOURS?
Ø Give Your Passwords ( or password access) to two trusted loved ones
Ø Make Lists of Your Own Accounts (Banking? etc.)
Ø Create Your Own Legal Documents ( Advance Directives are usually free to create)
Ø Preparations Are Imperative at Any Age
For Loved Ones
1. Who are you the primary caregiver or friend to? (This includes adult children and anyone whose affairs you would help to put in order were they to pass) (Think of your friends who don’t have other family around so it might fall to you)
2. Decide which info or documents you need from them.
3. Make a request that they create any necessary documents and send you important information by a certain date (ex. January 15)
For Yourself
1. Choose which documents YOU still need for your own affairs.
2. Begin to write out your own funeral and burial wishes.
3. Choose 1-2 trusted loved ones (other than spouse) who you give access to your passwords
FINAL WISHES FOR FUNERAL / RECEPTION
1. Who should be contacted when you die and in what order?
2. Do you want your organs or body donated?
3. Do you want to be buried or cremated? If so, where and do you own burial plots?
a. If buried, what do you want written on your tombstone & what kind of
tombstone?
b. If buried, is there anything you want to be buried with?
c. If cremated, who do you want to keep the urn?
d. If cremated, do you want your ashes spread? If so, where?
4. Do you want a funeral?
a. If so, where? (funeral home, church, in nature, etc.)
b. If so, what factors are most / least important to you? (traditional, spiritual / religious, affordability, green funeral, ease & simplicity)
5. List all the people you want involved in the planning and decision-making process.
6. Who do you want to attend your funeral? Do you want anyone to not attend?
7. What songs do you want to be played at your funeral?
8. What crematories should be performed prior to and after your death?
9. Do you care about the color / type of casket? If so, what are your preferences?
10. Do you want an open or closed casket (assuming both options are viable)
11. What pictures do you want to be shown?
12. What do you want to wear during your funeral? What color?
13. What type of flowers do you want? And What color?
14. What do you want written in the program? Any specific colors, graphics, quotes, prayers, poems?
15. Do you want an obituary? If so, what is important to be included?
16. Do you want a reception after the funeral?
If so: What kind of food and drinks do you want served Where do you want it to be held?
17. What stories would be nice for your loved ones to tell?
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES
1. What’s the point of life?
2. Do you believe in God? If so, what do you believe to be true about God?
How do you know when God is speaking to you?
3. What are you most proud of in your life?
4. What did your soul come here to learn?
5. What was your biggest challenge in life?
6. Who was one person that inspired you?
7. What 3 values have you lived by?
8. What is love? How do you know when you’re in love?
9. How does a person truly accept and love themselves?
10. What do you think happens after you die?
11. What was one important thing your mother taught you?
12. What was one important thing your father taught you?
13. What was one important thing your children taught you?
14. What legacy are you leaving behind & how do you want it honored?
15. How do you contribute to the world?
16. What’s one regret you are carrying? And what has it taught you?
17. What was one practice you did to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally?
18. What’s one thing few people know about you?
19. List 3 of your all-time favorite memories?
20. If you could say one last thing to your parents, what would it be?
21. If you could say one last thing to your spouse, what would it be?
22. If you could say one last thing to your daughter, what would it be?
23. If you could say one last thing to your son, what would it be?
24. If you could say one last thing to your pet, what would it be?
25. If you could communicate with your loved ones after you die, how would you do it?
26. What got you through the hard moments of life?
27. What would you say to loved ones who were grieving? What advice would you give them for carrying on without you?
28. What advice would you give your 13-year-old self, 25-year-old self, 40-year-old self?
29. Do you need to make amends to anyone? If so, who, what would you say, and do you want this message shared with them?
30. What advice would you give to the younger generation
31. Now that you’re dead, how important were your possessions?
32. What are your final wishes for your possessions?
33. 50. Are there certain items you’d like to have donated?
34. What would you say to a loved one if they were feeling guilty about donating or letting go of your possessions? And how can you give them permission to let go or encourage them to give themselves permission to let go?
35. What 3 charities do you feel most connected to? Or is there a certain cause you strongly believe in?
36. If you learned that your loved ones were arguing over your possessions, what’s one thing you’d remind them of?
37. What are 3 special items that you own?
38. Who gave them to you?
39. When?
40. What’s the story?
41. Why were they special to you?
42. What’s your favorite t-shirt in your closet right now?
43. What’s your favorite mug in your house right now?
44. Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?
45. What’s your favorite photo of yourself?
We understand that life transitions can be an emotional and stressful process! EZ Declutter Solutions is here to provide support and guidance every step of the way! We manage all the details, so you won’t have to!
Visit our website: https://www.ezdecluttersolutions.com for a free Consultation or call 812-350-0029!
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