Planning Ahead

Your will determines who inherits your assets, who looks after dependents, and who carries out your wishes. If you have one already, review it — life changes (marriage, kids, new property) should trigger an update.

A living will and healthcare power of attorney let you specify what kinds of medical care you do (or don't) want, and name someone to make decisions if you can't. This also includes DNR orders if relevant.

Choose someone you trust to manage finances on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This is separate from your healthcare proxy.

Where are your bank accounts, investments, retirement plans, insurance policies, and safe deposit boxes? Who is your accountant, lawyer, financial advisor? Write it all down. Include digital accounts (email, social media, password manager).

Burial, cremation, natural burial, or body donation. Each is meaningful in different ways, and each has practical considerations — cost, religious tradition, environmental impact. Pick what feels right to you.

Tour a few funeral homes, cremation services, or natural burial grounds. They will not pressure you. Bring questions. Bring family. Bring time.

Pre-paying locks in today's prices and removes a financial decision from your family at the worst time. Most providers offer this. Some require it for natural burial plots that are in limited supply.

If you have a tradition, let your clergy or community know your wishes. If you're secular, identify a person who can lead a memorial in a way that reflects you.

Music, readings, who speaks, what kind of gathering, what to do with ashes or remains. Even a one-page document helps your family enormously. They'll want to honor you, not guess.

A donation in your name? A scholarship? A specific charity? An ongoing tradition for the family? This is your story to write.

Most Jewish communities have a Chevra Kadisha that prepares the body and oversees burial according to tradition. Locate the one affiliated with your synagogue or community now so your family knows whom to call.

Traditional Jewish burial happens in consecrated ground, typically within 24 hours of death. Reserve a plot now — many Jewish cemeteries have limited space and want pre-arrangement.

Note your wishes for the Anointing of the Sick (Last Rites), a Funeral Mass, and burial in consecrated ground. Talk to your parish priest about the specifics — they have a process for this.

Islamic tradition calls for burial within 24 hours, with ghusl (ritual washing) and shrouding done by the community. Your local mosque will guide the family — make sure they know which one.

This is the hardest part for most people. Pick a quiet time. Be direct. Tell them where the documents are, who to call, what you want. They'll thank you later.

Original signed documents in a fireproof location. Digital copies somewhere your executor knows about. Tell at least two trusted people where they are.

Life changes — marriages, divorces, children, deaths, moves, new assets, new opinions. Pick a date each year (a birthday, an anniversary) to spend an hour reviewing your plan.