Embracing Life by Planning for Death: A Thoughtful Approach
The goal of taking care of our bodies is to live not only for as long as possible but as well as possible. In the end, though, death awaits us all. Planning for death, even when you’re in your 30s and 40s and currently fit and well, can be a profoundly responsible and loving step. In the UK, taking proactive measures to ensure that your wishes are known and your affairs are in order can greatly ease the burden on your loved ones.When we think of longevity and living well, we often do so with a sense of death aversion.
Why Plan for Death Now?
Death is often viewed as a distant, abstract concept, especially for those in their prime. However, unexpected events can and do happen. According to a 2018 report by the Office for National Statistics, accidents and sudden illnesses are leading causes of death among younger adults in the UK. This underscores the importance of having plans in place, regardless of age or health status.
The Gift of Preparation
Taking the time to plan for your death is one of the most considerate and loving actions you can take for your family. By seeking professional help, you ensure that your legal and financial affairs are in order, your digital assets are managed, and your loved ones are fully informed and prepared. It transforms the inevitable into a well-thought-out process that honours your life and legacy.
Dealing with your Life Admin
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of life admin with have to deal with… it is bad enough when we are dealing with our own… but if you have to deal with someone else’s when they are no longer with us… that is the stuff nightmares are made of. From my own experience, I know how drawn out dealing with an estate can be. So why not make it as easy as possible for your loved ones and organise your admin so that it is clear and transparent and can be dealt with; without being a detective!
When working with clients I aim to simplify their life admin, taking away the headache of not know where things are and when payments are due.
Digital Asset Planning
In today’s digital age, it’s crucial to consider your digital assets. This includes social media accounts, online banking, digital photo collections, and more. According to a 2021 survey by the Law Society, only 26% of UK adults have included digital assets in their Wills. By definition are digital assets are ‘hidden’, it’s becoming less common to receive paper statements, or if we do the statement may be emailed to us.
Unless you have given thought to how you document your digital assets and how you want them processed on the event of your death, it may be more complicated than necessary.
I work with clients to ensure their digital assets are thought about and an inventory created. We will discuss how you want your digital assets to be handled. We will discuss who you would like to appoint to be your digital executor to ensure your digital assets are handled in line with your wishes. Another area we will discuss is how you want your information to be stored and held safely.
Decluttering your house
Isn’t it true that we spend half of our lives collecting things and the other half trying to get rid of them! If you are anything like me, your house is a combination of things you have brought, presents given to you and things that have been bequeathed to you!
I don’t see decluttering as simply getting rid of the things you don’t want. I see it more of a process to help you understand what is important to you, so that your house is a reflection of your values and beliefs.
Creating a living legacy
How do you want to be remembered? What story do you want people to know about you? Why wait until your funeral (as often is the case) to tell people about your life?
I really believe that creating your own living legacy is an amazing gift to yourself, and to your family and friends. Why not celebrate your life whilst you are still living it.
Taking care of your Will and Lasting Power of Attorney
Writing a Will or preparing your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPAs) is so much harder when someone is unwell or advancing in age, and the more emotional that time is the hard it becomes. So why wait? By thinking about your Will and LPAs whilst you are fit and well you will be able to approach it with clarity.
Whilst I don’t write your Will or LPA I can work with you in a coaching capacity to help you clarify what you want included… and I can help you be accountable to make sure they happen!
Planning how you would like to be cared for
End of life is never an easy conversation. Our family and loved ones may think they know what is important to you, but unless you document it and/or have the conversations, they won’t truly know.
Statistics show that approximately 70-80% of people would like to die at home, in reality only 20-30% do. There are a number of reasons for this disparity, one of which being family feeling unprepared to care for a dying relative. By having open and honest conversations with your family and loved ones helps everyone understand your wishes.
An Advance Statement allows you to record how you would like to be cared for. Although it is not a legally binding document, the people caring for you must use it as a guide when making decisions on your behalf (See the Compassion in Dying website ). Completing an Advance Statement will help you to clarify your thoughts and can be used when having conversations with your loved ones about your future care.
End of life conversations can extend to your preferences for your funeral arrangements – you maybe a person that ‘doesn’t mind what happens once you are gone’… and that is OK, and even better if people know that so they don’t live with the question… “what would they have wanted?”.
I can work with you to navigate how you would ideally like your end of life to be, what you would like to happen to your body after your death, and any wishes you have for your funeral. Once you start to have the conversations, you can prepare for the inevitable!
