Several people I "know" from internet postings have lost loved ones recently. In some cases, the loss was quite sudden and shocking.
Each time I read the sad news, I was reminded again of my mother's death, and her careful, caring preparations for it.
She had a binder with all of her paperwork, kept next to her favorite chair. In it was a copy of her will. Copies of her various powers of attorney. Recent copies of household bills, so we'd have account numbers.
And a copy of the paperwork for her pre-paid funeral arrangements.
We were broken and dazed, in no shape to contemplate decision-making or financial constraints. And we didn't have to. Not only was nearly everything pre-paid, but we had the comfort of knowing the arrangements were what she genuinely wanted.
It's not a pleasant topic, but since that experience I've shared with everyone of a certain age what a relief it was, in a terrible time, to have all those details already handled, in the way she'd wanted them handled. Once we actually settle somewhere in retirement, we plan to make arrangements for ourselves, too.
If you can afford it, it's a remarkable and comforting last gift for the people who love you.
Everything of my mom's was n my name and made it so easy on her passing. I was not her corrector, but i was able to get everything turned over. I wish all people would do this.
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