For most people, planning for death isn’t their choice way of spending an afternoon. Most people avoid the thought altogether, until they get older and accept death as just another part of life. As most people know, your death doesn’t only affect you; it affects everyone that you surround yourself with, and it’s important that you leave this world on good terms. There are many ways to make amends with your loved ones before passing, but of these things are a few that stand out above the rest.

Finances

All fuzzy feelings aside, preparing yourself and your family financially for death is one of the most important things you can do with your last remaining years. There is a list a mile long of ways to ready yourself and your loved ones for your passing, and it’s crucial that you square as much of it away as you can beforehand. Death comes quick, and if you aren’t ready, it can wreak havoc on your finances.

  • Funeral plan insurance from GIO and other similar companies can be beneficial in paying off funeral costs, debts and any other expenses during the grieving process.

  • Drawing up a will as far in advance is possible is highly recommended as a way to settle disputes over your estate and assets upon dying.

  • The earlier you start planning, the more money you’ll have to leave for your family. For those that don’t plan, expect over 40% of your assets to be claimed by taxes.

Conversation

Death is a scary, confusing thing for everyone involved. It takes years to understand, and even as you near your death bed, there are countless questions to be asked. During this time, for your sake, and the sake of those around you, opening a dialogue about death can help ease the tension. It may be a fearful time, but it’s also a time where you can speak freely and grow even closer to the people in your life.

  • Having the talk isn’t easy for anyone, but only you can speak to what you’re going through. So, use this as an opportunity to tell people how you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing.

  • If anyone has questions about death, answer thoughtfully and insightfully. Unless there’s someone you know dying right next to you, you’re the authority on death and can therefore offer insight as to what it feels like.

  • Always remember to be open-minded, and encourage your loved ones to be as well. Discussion is important, but it also needs to be respectful.

Make Peace

It may sound cliché, but as death looms, it’s up to you to make peace with yourself and others. The concept itself is very vague and subjective, but it is an important part of the process nonetheless. Although easy to take for granted, making peace offers an opportunity to both atone for possible wrongdoings in the past and to celebrate all the joys that you experienced in your life.

  • There’s not a particular right or wrong way to make peace. It’s mostly about acceptance of the inevitable by all parties.

  • Before you can really make peace with yourself, you have to make peace with other people. This can be your immediate family, friends or even people from your past that you haven’t connected with in a long time.

  • If there are bridges you have burned, building them back up to reconnect with people is important as you break on through to the other side. Don’t overextend yourself, but think back on how you have affected other people’s lives and reach out to those that you have influenced the most, and those that have been influenced by you.

Death is one of the most terrifying aspects of being a human being. No one wants to go through it, but unfortunately, it’s more inevitable than you think. So, before you croak, make sure that you’re taken care of, and more importantly, that those around you are taken care of. You only have so much life to live, but if you make the best of it, you’ll be able to live on forever as a memory.

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Today’s guest post is from Chris Jensen.  Chris is a freelance writer and life insurance adviser. His family means the world to him and he’ll do anything to ensure a bright future for them.

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