We need to plan for this!

Nothing puts the fear in you, like a global pandemic where death is everywhere. I know mortality has been around for a long time, but a global pandemic makes it feel more real and really in your face. COVID-19 is dominating the headlines, like nothing we have ever seen before. The last 10-11 months of this pandemic have been a real shake up in all our lives.

Yet I feel now more than ever, we should be seeking to get our affairs in order. It doesn't matter what age you are, ok so maybe kids and teenagers shouldn't do this, but adults should start to plan for any eventuality, including their untimely demise as soon as they can.

So why should we plan these things in advance?

Planning our death, funeral arrangements can really help if you die suddenly or without warning, as you can leave the grieving people with clear instructions explaining what you want. This may prevent family arguments and keep a grieving family together at a time of stress. This plan can be in the form of a simple document stating your preferences, such as the style of coffin, what type of burial or cremation you would want. The plan could have some of your favourite poems or prayers you'd like to be read at the funeral. You could even write separate letters or do videos for those who you will leave behind offering some words to help ground them at a time of loss. In my document (I call it a my death pack) I have my user names and passwords for my accounts and have listed my different bank accounts. As you'd expect my pack isn't available to just anyone, so I have little concern about this falling into the wrong hands. 

Leaving a Will helps to ensures that your money and assets go to the places you would have wanted. You may have lots of money and assets, or very little, but you may want certain things to go to the right people or charities, so this can be really good for your peace of mind. Doing a Will also goes a long way to preventing arguments in the family. I say "goes a long way" as you hear often about people contesting Wills, that being said I feel strongly they are good at stopping most arguments.

Advanced care planning is something worth thinking about, if you were in an accident and badly injured, would you want to be on life support indefinitely? This is an interesting subject, as it forces you to think about what standard of living you would be prepared to live with, or more importantly what you wouldn't want to live without. Like the funeral this can put a lot of stress on a loved one, or family member, as they try to do what they feel is best, whilst often not having a clue what you would really want.

Talk to family and friends whilst you are alive or conscious about things you would like and what you wouldn't like, if the worst was to happen, at least they have a good idea. We frequently think at most stages of our lives, that we will outlive everyone around us, when anything can strike us down at any time. Talking about these topics, from what standard of living you want, whether you are wanting to donate your organs down to what clothes you want to wear when at your funeral. It could be like this "Babe, you know I love that suit, but please dress me in something casual, something that reflects me as a person at my funeral". 

Lasting power of attorney: If you have someone whom you can place your trust, regarding both financial and medical decisions you can fill in and sign these documents in advance or when the need arises. These documents give another person legal rights to act on your behalf, regarding either medical decisions or your financial decisions, so it goes without saying this decision should not be rushed into and great care and consideration should be given before signing them. This can be extremely helpful, giving you time to focusing on more important things and if you are incapacitated allow someone to take charge of your treatment, ultimately this means it isn't just the doctors making the decisions, but someone who knows your wishes.

Looking at all the different options (I'm sure there are many more) above, can seem like a lot of work, but it really doesn't have to be. You can take one step at a time, or even a question at a time. There is a lot of resources out there and you can start a death pack. Just add whatever you feel you need to add and allow this to grow over time. Doing this pack every now and then can allow you to contemplate your mortality, acting as a reminder that this life we live is precious and shouldn't be taken for granted. It may also give you a little bit of relief, knowing as you die, that you left everything as organised and as clear as you could. I think thats the greatest gift you can give people when you die, is the space and room to mourn without the additional worry of doing what you would have wanted.