Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy. Even if you are aware that it will be happening due to illness or aging, it can still leave you feeling lost and overwhelmed. While it’s never easy, if you prepare ahead of time as much as you can, it will help ensure everything is handled correctly when the time comes. As providers of cremation services in Lakewood, CO., we have these ways you can help you and your family prepare.
Call a Family Meeting
Call on your family members and get together for a family meeting. This could be just your immediate family, or if you wish, you can have your extended family involved as well. The choice is yours on who you would like to have been involved with.
During this meeting, you will need to discuss key issues such as:
- Who will be responsible for making the funeral arrangements?
- Who will be the main caregiver?
- Who will help to handle their affairs and make sure they are all in order?
- How will their memory be honored?
- Are there any special final wishes the loved one has and who will ensure those happen?
Make sure to note everything that is said and assigned so there are no questions or confusion once the time comes.
Gather All Important Documents
Making sure you have all the documents you need to complete and organized can go a long way in helping everything run smoothly later. Some of the documents you should have are:
- A Power of Attorney (POA) – This document allows you the right and legal authority to make decisions on behalf of your loved one. These decisions can be financial and/or medical should they become incapable of doing do.
- A Will – This document is important as it outlines any final wishes your loved one has as well as how they want their estate to be handled and divided.
- An Advance-Directive – This document will outline any wishes your loved one has when it comes to their end-of-life care. This also includes things like DNR (Do Not Resuscitate).
- List of Passwords – Having a list of your loved one’s passwords will help immensely when trying to handle their accounts
- Any paperwork from cemeteries or funeral homes – If your loved one preplanned any arrangements, make sure to have any and all paperwork and contracts
Spend Time With Them
Making sure you have all of the important documents and tasks delegated is great, but make sure you spend as much time as you can with your loved ones before they are gone. You can use this time to talk to them about their life. Ask them questions like what was their proudest moment, or what are they most happy about. Learn about their childhood by asking about their school and friends. Learn all you can about who they were and what their life was truly like.
By taking the time now to plan for what comes later, after their cremation services in Lakewood, CO. you and your family will be able to focus on honoring your loved one rather than having the stress and anxiety of trying to organize everything then.
