Losing a loved one can be extremely difficult for the entire family. Not only do you have to deal with the grief of losing someone you love, but you must also deal with the aftermath of their death, such as funeral planning and execution of the will. You can make this process a little easier for everyone involved with a little pre-planning. Here’s a look at three things you can do now to make the passing of a loved one a little easier to handle.
Divide Responsibilities Between Family
Remember that you don’t have to go through this process alone. Instead, split the responsibilities to make it easier for everyone. For example, as your parents age, be sure to split the various responsibilities with your siblings or other family members.
These responsibilities typically fall into four main categories, including legal, such as creating a will and designating a power of attorney; financial, including handling the bank accounts, assets, and paying bills; healthcare, such as staying in touch with doctors and making health care decisions; and personal, including personal care needs and maintaining the home. While the family can make major decisions together, you should select one person to serve as the point of contact for each of these categories.
Make Funeral Plans Ahead of Time
According to Bunker Family Funerals, there can be upwards of 150 tasks or decisions that need to be attended to within the first 24–48 hours of passing, so having decisions made in advance can alleviate the stress family members are sure to feel after the passing of a loved one. Advanced funeral arrangements can also help you make financial plans since you will know how much the funeral will cost. Even though it can be difficult, it’s important to talk to your loved one about these plans. Start by discussing what type of service he wants to have and if he prefers cremation or traditional burial. Then, you can discuss the specifics of the ceremony, such as selecting the officiate, location, songs, readings, pallbearers, eulogy speakers, and more. Finally, start writing your loved one’s obituary to make sure you have all the facts right.
Spend Time with Your Loved One
Don’t spend so much time preparing that you forget to spend some extra time with your loved one. Take a day to go through old pictures and listen to past stories. This can be great for both you and your loved one. Consider taking a written or recorded documentation of your loved one’s life stories. Preserving your loved one’s family history can be an invaluable treasure for generations to come. According to Legacy Tree Genealogists, recording a relative’s personal history is a great way to preserve their thoughts, memories, experiences, and perspectives—things that don’t really get preserved in other records like marriage certificates and college diplomas.
Taking these steps now can make the passing of a loved one a little easier to bear. Just remember that you don’t have to do this alone. Reach out for help when you need it and enjoy the time you have now before your loved one passes.
