Are you prepared to die?

It is difficult to loose a loved one. This lose is compounded with the many quick decisions that must be made in a very short period of time and the desire to honor that a life has been lived. When you have open communication and your affairs are in order you will allow your family and friends to honor your life and to celebrate You. We will all die. We cannot be afraid to talk about Death.

Talk opening as a family about Death and your desires: cremation vs burial, clothes, music, religion, ceremony. The Funeral is for your friends/family/community to celebrate and honor their love for you and celebrate your life. It is the beginning of adjusting to a world without you. For most families, this is also one of the few occasions that families get together (the new family reunion). Have the Talk of a Lifetime (http://www.talkofalifetime.org/have-the-talk/).

How will you pay for your Funeral?

Do not leave a financial burden on your family. You should have a plan in place to finance your final arrangements.

Cash: If these funds are in your account make sure that the person responsible for making your arrangements will have access to these funds.
Life Insurance: At a minimum you should purchase enough insurance to cover the cost of your Funeral. There is also a lot of investment opportunity for you to leave money to help your family continue your legacy and funds available for end of life care.
Pre-Need Account: Funds paid in advance into an trust or escrow account.

Make sure you get what you want.

Living Will: End of Life Medical Care preferences.
Estate Planning/Will: What happens to your assets (property, cash, life insurance, etc.)
End of Life Plan: Communicate with your family openly about your preference of care. Get the Conversation Started (http://theconversationproject.org)

Everything requires paperwork.

Keep critical documents in an envelope that can be accessed.

• Social Security Card
• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• List of Bank Accounts/Account Numbers
• List of Insurance Polices (Policy Number, Value, Beneficiaries, original executed policy)
• Military Paperwork (Discharge Paperwork DD214)
• Cemetery Paperwork (If you are being buried and have already purchased a plot from a cemetery you should have a copy of the deed)
• Pre-Need Account Documents

My goal is to contribute to Communities having a Good Experience in Death.