Lessons I have learned from the recent deaths of both my parents, roughly thirteen months apart (not in the order of significance).
- Make sure you have a will with an executor named. Don’t be lazy! When both parents are dead then everything has to be done in probate court under their supervision. It is a stressful thing to do to whomever ends up being the administrator of your estate. You may think “I don’t have anything…” and you would be thinking wrong.
- Make sure you have pre-paid and properly documented location for your burial or whatever your choice is for handling your physical body. Make it perfectly clear. If you want a full service and such, make that clear. Designate or write suggestions. Make it clear.
- The items that mean something to you, make sure to document whom gets what. Make it clear. (Are you seeing a pattern about this subject).
- You are/were the parents so in your death/s lead by example as well. You know the loss of a loved one impacts people so you SHOULD want to help your loved ones manage the responsibilities, grief and sorrow as best as possible.