Preparing For Death Isn’t Easy
It’s a difficult thing to hear, but you will die someday. Mortality is a hard topic to think about, but preparing for death early and revisiting it often can actually save your loved ones from wondering what to do in the event of your passing. There are 4 things you can do to assist in your own care: designate an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact on your phone; prepare an advanced directive; create funeral plans; write a will.
Creating an ICE Contact is simple. Add a new contact to your phone, and in the name section type ICE – (Person’s Name). This is only usable by first responders if you don’t lock your phone. Some phones also have the option of designating an emergency contact as a group type, who first responders can call without requiring the phone to be unlocked for phones that are locked. You can use the following linked tutorials to create ICE Contacts for Android or to create ICE Contacts for iPhone.
Advanced directives allow you, in the event of an emergency, to dictate the terms of your care. This includes instructions for coma treatment, resuscitation, organ donation, and designating agents to advocate for your wishes with medical professionals. The paperwork is easy to fill out and can be placed on file with your primary care physician to be part of your permanent medical record. You can also keep a copy in your car for emergencies. Don’t forget to leave copies with your designated ICE Contacts, so that if they get a call that you’re being transported to a hospital that doesn’t have your medical records on file a copy of your advanced directive can be brought and your wishes can be respected.
Creating funeral plans may sound morbid, but having them in writing is a great way to let everyone know how you want your body treated after passing. Take some time to reflect on what type of disposition of your remains you would wish for. Creating a burial plan is as simple as making a document on your computer and saving it, then printing it out and attaching a copy to both your advanced directive and your will. You can take several steps to ensure you get what you want for your remains after death; a good summary of the financial steps can be found here. There are many things you will want to consider before writing this plan. What type of memorial service would you like, if any? Are there any particular religious services or traditions you want your loved ones to adhere to upon your death? Do you want to be cremated? Do you want to be buried? Do you want your ashes to be scattered in your favorite park, or would you like them to be made into a paperweight? Do you want a traditional casket and embalming, or would you prefer an eco-casket and no embalming with a tree planted over your remains so you can shelter future generations after death? What sort of memorial service would you want? Is there someone you want to designate as the receiver of your ashes who isn’t your next of kin? Do you already have a burial plot in a cemetery picked out and paid for, or do you have a preferred area in mind that your family can select the cemetery of their choice from? Do you have burial insurance, a savings account set aside for the event, or life insurance, or will your family likely need to get financial assistance with your passing?
Writing a will, or having a living trust, is essential to prevent infighting among your loved ones regarding your personal property after your death. There are many lawyers in the Inland Empire area that can help you with estate planning. As well, LegalZoom* has a guide to writing your own will, which is the least expensive option if your properties and assets are fairly uncomplicated. There are also several options for creating a will if you can’t afford a lawyer but aren’t confident that you know the law well enough to create your own will alone (some options available online are listed below). If you have anything complicated about your estate, such as jointly held property that you want your interest in to go to someone other than the other holding party, a large number of accounts, or own your business as a partnership and your death isn’t provided for in the partnership agreement, the best thing to do is contact a lawyer and get professional advice. When in doubt, get some help!
As is often the case, life experiences and new information can make us change our minds. Advanced directive care, funeral wishes, and estate planning aren’t exempt from these changes! It is always a good idea to revisit these documents every 6 to 12 months and make any necessary changes and updates, keeping the most current copies on file.
Will-Making Assistance Online*
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