How to Financially and Mentally Prepare for Your Own Funeral
Thinking about the prospect of dying is a subject that most individuals tend to avoid, even if they believe they are satisfied and content with the life they have lived. However, as you get older, financially and mentally preparing for your funeral can alleviate the stressors and burdens commonly associated with the process. The better prepared you are for your funeral, the less likely you are to feel overwhelmed and stressed once you begin to notice your health declining.
Designate Who Will Handle Your Funeral Arrangements
Anytime you are committed to preparing yourself for your future funeral, you will want to do so by first designating who will be in charge of your funeral arrangements and fulfilling your wishes. Whether you’ve decided to entrust a partner, child, or even a close friend of yours, be sure to do so once you have confirmed your plans with them. You may also want to select a secondary individual to take the lead if your initial selection is incapable of assisting with your funeral at the time of your passing. Designating who will handle your funeral arrangements ahead of time is a way for you to maintain your peace of mind for years to come, regardless of when you begin the planning process.
Keep Legal Documents Stored in a Safe Location
Once you have the basic legal documents necessary for your funeral and will drawn out, you will also want to take the time to find a safe location to store them. Storing your legal documents in a safe and fireproof location is always advisable to minimize the risk of having documents stolen or even destroyed, due to a storm, fire, or another natural disaster. Those who experience a heart attack will require approximately $20,246 in medical care to make a complete recovery. If you have medical debts that are still being paid off from a heart attack, it’s important to store those with your documents.
Visit the Doctor Regularly
Visiting the doctor regularly will help you better understand your current state of health and bloodwork, determining where you are at in terms of aging. Whether you’re an individual suffering from TMJ or heart disease, seeking your doctor regularly will minimize the risk of major issues, reactions, and outcomes.
For example, in most individuals, TMJ dysfunction is most prevalent among those who are between the ages of 20 and 40. Understanding the signs and symptoms you are experiencing daily will help you determine when it is time to seek care from a medical professional and what type of doctor you should see at the time.
Work With a Lawyer
Retaining an attorney who specializes in estate law, death taxes, and funeral planning is a way for you to maintain your own peace of mind as you work through the process of financially and mentally preparing for your funeral in the future. Currently, in the United States, 38 states do not impose an inheritance tax or an estate tax on an individual after their death.
Speak Openly With Your Family
One of the most integral aspects of preparing for your funeral, mentally and physically, involves connecting with and communicating with those who mean the most to you. Speaking openly with your family about your plans when it comes to handling your funeral is a way for you to ensure everyone is on the same page, especially if you believe the time is near. The more open and honest you are about your wants, needs, and the legalities involved in your funeral, the easier it will be for your loved ones to facilitate your wishes.
Knowing how to best prepare yourself financially and mentally for your future funeral is a way for you to rest assured knowing that your assets, investments, and decisions will be carried out appropriately by someone you know and trust. The more time you take to prepare ahead of time for your future funeral, the less likely you are to feel emotional or caught off-guard once your health begins to decline permanently.