No one likes to consider the prospect of their own death but, as we take on more and more responsibilities, it will inevitably become apparent that ensuring we can eventually pass away without leaving a great burden on the shoulders of our loved ones is essential. It is all too easy for a death to have significant ramifications beyond the emotional, and many of us would prefer to safeguard against that eventuality on behalf of our partners and children.
Read more about ensuring a tidy death below.
Create a valid will and keeping it up to date
The importance of a strong, thorough, up to date and, of course, legally valid will cannot possibly be overstated but, even in this day and age, its significance is all too often overlooked until it is too late.
In the absence of a will, your assets will be subject to the laws of intestacy – a fact which means that many of your closest loved ones may have no legal claim to anything after your death.
If your will is outdated or not comprehensive enough, however, then your loved ones may have to instruct will dispute solicitors to contest it on their behalf. This can be a lengthy and emotionally taxing process, particularly when they are already working to process their grief, and should be avoided wherever possible by keeping on top of your will, and ensuring it truly reflects your wishes as life changes.
Make plans for your funeral
Planning a funeral on behalf of a loved one is a daunting and difficult process, and it can often feel as though life is moving at a mile a minute for those who are still working to process the loss of a close family member. We set a great deal of store by funerals, and yet organising them (sometimes out of the blue) can be a very difficult prospect when the time does come.
For this reason, it is highly beneficial if we can dedicate a space in our wills to any specific funeral arrangements or requests we might have. If you would prefer to be cremated than buried, then explicitly stating this will spare your loved ones the ordeal of deciding for themselves, for instance.
We all want to ensure that funerals are worthy of the individual they celebrate but, with the upheaval of death so fresh in our minds, living up to their memory can be a struggle – unless, of course, our loved ones make specific requests for us to follow.
Record and document all of the information your loved one’s could need
From the mortgage paperwork to details on current and savings accounts, passwords, and the locations of important items like spare keys and credit cards, anything you look after should be noted down.
The days and weeks that follow a death are all too often consumed by practical tasks, and any setbacks can feel incredibly burdensome when emotions are running high. By organising everything together in one document, and ensuring no stone is left unturned, your loved ones can see to the practicalities without any major hiccups, creating more space for them to process their thoughts and feelings in peace.
