How to Prepare a Family for the End of a Life
Very few people are ready for a loved one to die. If that death happens with little warning, it can be even more devastating. It is important to be prepared for both the financial and emotional impacts of a loved one's death, to avoid the conflicts, regrets and confusion that can arise. This guide will help your family learn what steps to take to prepare for the end of a person's life.
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Instructions
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Guidelines
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Prepare an estate plan. Assign an executor of the estate plan. This person will execute the requests of the deceased, based on the plan in place. Set up a living will to determine how the person's estate will be handled upon their death. Create power-of-attorney documents if the person becomes unable to make cohesive decisions. Power-of-attorney gives a person the legal right to make a decision as if it were that person making the decision. Find the person's life insurance policy and make it a part of the documents gathered for the estate plan.
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Do an inventory of assets and liabilities. Get information about any outstanding debts, as creditors will need to be informed when a person dies. Create a document outlining funds in each account, including access codes (e.g., PIN numbers, usernames, passwords, etc.). Make note of any valuables the person has such as jewelry.
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Gather memories of the person. Invite each member of the family to document their favorite memories of the person. Create a video collage if possible, so that you can watch people tell their stories. Collect any pictures and papers and place in a scrapbook for the entire family to witness. Have special moments where you get together around the person and speak well of the person while in their final stages. One thing you'll always hold on to, even when the person has passed, is the memories.
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Take time to explain the situation to children. Children may not have a clear understanding of what death is all about and why this person isn't as active as they used to be. For children younger than 5, use basic ideas such as shapes and colors to help them understand life versus death. For grammar school children, use things they don't like when explaining life and death.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't wait until a loved one dies before honoring them; do it throughout his or her life.
Have family gatherings often to stay in touch with one another. This will help eliminate distance between family members.
Pick an executor that's responsible, reliable, and organized, otherwise you could have chaos after the person has deceased.
