Death prep?

[Littlemoons]

Having gone through several bereavements recently we have decided to get out affairs in order for when something happens to the other (hopefully not for a long time but who knows?). I thought I'd be able to find a how to guide as I'm sure we'd miss something out but nothing has really seemed that comprehensive. Can anyone help please?

You may also want to think about how not to just deal with death but with dying. There is a thread on elderly parents about planning for your own old age.

I don’t know the answer to your question but I know access to digital accounts, like photo storage is something to consider.

Swedish death cleaning is a thing. I'm sure there are books on it.

Definitely make a will. Organise power of attorney for your care and finances.

Leave instructions about what kind of funeral you would like. My mother did this and it made it so easy for us to arrange.

If you have young children, put it in writing who you would like to look after them should you die young - hopefully this will never happen.

Write a will.

Make sure your financial things are organised and accessible so whoever executes the will can find everything easily.

Throw out as much unneeded paperwork as possible or at least make sure it is organised under clear sections so whoever clears the house knows it can all be binned.

Weve made wills and done financial and health power of attorneys as well as having paid for our funerals already - in fact we are having direct cremations, no actual funeral but our ashes get returned to family who can then have an ash spreading/burial of their choice.

As pp, first off a will and power of attorney.

My dad told us everything he wanted for his funeral, down to the man who was leading it (total mind black on what this man would be called?)
It made it easier for us at a difficult time but we were happy knowing we done what he wanted.

If you have multiple bank/savings accounts make a list of who they are with and keep with the will.

If mortgage still on house, write life insurance company down and keep with will also.

Other insurances - car, contents etc write the companies down. Granted they can change yearly but this can be updated if you switch. Keep with the will.

Look at getting a DNACPR. See twitter.com/drlindadykes/status/962791657631571969?s=21

AgeUK have a free Life Book and other guides that helps to collect all the information in one place and has a list of different documents you may want to consider and you can list where they are in the Lifebook.

Will
Funeral instructions
List of all savings accounts / insurance policies / pensions / passport / NI number / tax number etc

Then - declutter your house! I know it isn’t quite what you were looking for. But my Dad died earlier in the year. We’ve had 2 skips full of junk and waiting for the third to be delivered. 50+ years of not throwing things out, but I a large detached house with lots of storage it wasn’t noticeable. Honestly, clearing the house is worse than all the paperwork.

Lots of excellent advice above - wills, POA, records of passwords etc. Also look at Social Media Legacy (Facebook has a section on this).

Consider an Advance Decision compassionindying.org.uk/making-decisions-and-planning-your-care/planning-ahead/advance-decision-living-will/ - this is legally binding. This is what you need rather than a DNACPR to make sure your decisions are followed (it's also more comprehensive).

If you don't want to donate organs register this too.

If you have small children who would be their guardians?

Think of all passwords for any electronic data storage, facebook, accounts, insurance, Cloud service and obviously any hardware like PC, mobile phones, tablets as well.

De-clutter. If you think you need certain information look into keeping them electronically instead of paper (again, make sure someone knows how to access them).

There is no need to go over all your possessions and clear out but think of items in boxes, storage in garage or loft. I go buy I own it because I enjoy it and I don't care if DD has to sort it out at one point but I can make her life easier if I go. through things I don't use or need anymore.

List of people you want to be notified of your death. Friends, former colleagues, professional bodies. My father did this and it was incredibly useful as we wouldn't have known a few of them

I was also going to mention Swedish Death Cleaning. It's not as grim as it sounds and it saves your relatives from getting rid of a lifetime of 'treasures' 90% of which are probably worthless junk to other people.

That and making sure all your financial affairs are easily traced. My dad was a bit of a hoarder and also played the stock market as a hobby and, while he was ill for some years his eventual passing was quite sudden, so there was a lot of stuff to pick through and accounts etc to deal with, with often little information to go on and some could well have been missed.

Thanks @BiBabbles, that looks very useful

I also came on to mention Swedish Death Cleaning.

Also there is a book called 'I'm Dead Now What?' which has lots of sections for you to fill in with the info you wouldn't put in a will. Eg where docs are kept, what you want at your funeral, who your pensions are with, what medication the dog is on etc etc. Fill it all in and let your nearest and dearest know where to find it.

Very useful all