Death and Funerals: Is Your Final Paperwork Turned In?

Photo: Noah Silliman

The loss of a loved one is something nobody is ever truly prepared for. However, even their passing, those who are left behind must be able to organize and pick up the pieces of a life which is now a memory. Below are a few recommendations which can help survivors and those you will leave behind when the time comes.

Above all else, the need for a will is of the utmost importance. The largest myth surrounding wills is they are too expensive. According to legal website Legal Zoom, a legally binding last will and testament can cost $70. This legally binding document records the final wishes of the departed which can and often does include where interment of the remains will be, disbursement of assets among surviving friends and family, or even who will not be a beneficiary after an individual’s passing.   

Knowing what the deceased wanted done with their remains and their earthly possessions is important. Who will be the person to carry out these actions? Furthermore, who is the person they can trust to carry out the business of the will as executor is a question which should be addressed. Traditionally, this responsibility has fallen to the oldest child, but this needs to be a decision carefully made, so make sure the individual chosen can carry out those final wishes without hesitation, not just a result of birthright.  

Photo: William Whitehurst

The primary thing that everyone must do is have all of their paperwork in a secure location. This includes birth certificates, vehicle titles, house deeds, social security cards, medical records, or anything else that pertains to the life and possessions of a loved one or family. This vital information needs stored in a fireproof safe which will ensure those records will stay intact despite a catastrophe. These containers are not expensive either. A simple perusal online will result in a number of safes ranging from $40 to $60. Furthermore, a safe is not safe unless it has the proper security measure. Who will have knowledge of the key location or pin number? Who is that trustworthy person to count on when an emergency happens?

While having a proper plan and procedure for what happens to the deceased is important, there are further steps which can be taken to ensure that the loved ones who are left behind are not financially burdened with debts incurred in life or the costs of funeral services. The topic of the next blog post will cover how to be better financially prepared for the final ceremony celebrating the life of a loved one or yourself.