Your family’s to-dos when you die

When someone passes away, their survivors are often left blindsided. Unprepared for the responsibilities and intensity of picking up the pieces beyond the funeral itself, they grapple with what feels like a never-ending to-do list. The person usually handling all these details is often the one grieving the most. They also have their routine commitments as well, such as a full-time job or childcare responsibilities. Unless you’ve experienced it before (and bless you if you have), it’s hard to comprehend the magnitude of the situation.

The questions pile up – How do you reach the deceased’s colleagues, coworkers, and friends? Who did your loved one truly care about? Who takes care of their pet, their property, their responsibility, their commitments, and their doctor’s appointments? It might seem trivial, but how do you close down their social media accounts? Do they have some you don’t even know about? How do you lock down their house, stop their utilities, cut off their cable, their water, their everything? Then there’s the finances, the bank accounts, the loans, the credit cards, all the account numbers, passwords, on and on and on. What were their final wishes? Were there any last words that they intended to share? Then add in all the relatives. It’s overwhelming for months, even years on end. 

End of life planning is meant to ease these questions with accessible answers. It is also an integral part of determining everyone’s life insurance needs. The right life insurance policy can provide financial support during these challenging times, thereby relieving some of the emotional turmoil that comes with such an experience. 

So, I urge you, even if you’re young, to get your affairs in order, and talk to your parents because you are the one who is going to handle the unexpected. I promise you. Have a conversation with your parents about end of life planning, including making an end of life planning checklist. It can also make all the difference when you are simply seeking life insurance advice, whether it’s how to buy life insurance, or when to get life insurance. Remember, life insurance isn’t an expense but an investment in peace of mind for your loved ones.