PREPARING FOR THE INEVITABLE

 

None of us know when we’ll take our last breath.  Everything must be in order before we die. The following are items needed to prepare for our final day on earth: A Last Will and Testament or Living Trust, Power of Attorney, Living Will or Advance Directive, ensure beneficiaries are current, update digital assets like Facebook, plan your final arrangements, and give copies to your heir or Executor.  Keep all documents, passwords, and instructions not covered in the documents above in a safe and secure place.

 

I know someone who battled cancer for many years and knew she was in the final phase of her life a few months ago when cancer had spread to many parts of her body.  There was nothing more doctors could do for her.  For the past year, she spent most days alone in her home with a few trips to the hospital.  Her friends phoned her daily and would come over a few times a day when she was hospitalized to take care of her dog. Toward the end, her two sisters joined the friends in what could best be described as a death vigil.  When she died, her friends and sisters cleaned her apartment and discovered no Will or Power of Attorney.  One of the sisters was a co-signer on her checking account, but no money was left.  Her car was uninsured, and the title was still in her name.  To add insult to injury, apartment management requires her rent to be paid until the end of her lease.  (Good luck collecting rent payments on a dead person with no assets). Her loved ones are horrified their deceased friend left them to clean up her mess.  Apparently, she had assured her sister that everything was taken care of.  It wasn’t. Instead, her friends and family question why she would leave everything in chaos for them to clean up.

 

Maybe she didn’t have the money to pay for a lawyer to produce those documents.  However, Legal Aid for low-income individuals has offices in most cities.  Some online lawyers will help low-income individuals and seniors.  Online Wills and other forms can be completed and notarized at little or no cost.

 

It’s only fair to those we leave behind to ensure the transition goes smoothly after our death.  Another major thing we can do is rid our homes of unnecessary items.  Those trinkets, quilts, pictures, clothes, dishes, and furniture might not interest our heirs. We should ask them if they want any of our stuff once we’re gone.  Do we really need to hold onto our junk?  Unless the item gives us daily pleasure, either give it away or throw it away.  I sold my three-bedroom, three-bath house a year ago and moved into a one-bedroom apartment.  Several truckloads of “stuff” were given away or thrown away.  I kept some treasured quilts and pictures, but my daughter doesn’t want them, so they’ll go into a small trash heap when I’m gone.  However, what remains is a mere fraction of what I held onto a year ago.  It’s a beautiful feeling to downsize.  I can breathe!

 

I’ve been in the apartments of several older individuals and was amazed at how much furniture was crammed into a small space.  I’m confident having large furniture surrounding them makes them feel secure, but it’s also a fall risk.  Still, it will be a nightmare for their loved ones eventually.  

 

In conclusion, you don’t want your loved ones angry with you after you're gone.  Prepare yourself for the inevitable and leave this world with a small footprint.

 

(The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is an excellent resource)