Are you prepared for death?

One thing in life is certain: we shall all die. Are you prepared? Are you prepared spiritually? Are you prepared practically?

Every year, during the Christmas and New Year break I take the opportunity to review my affairs to be sure that, for my family, should anything happen to me they will find it as easy as possible to sort out the practicalities. But this year was different. I had been reading All about Heaven, as recommended in my last blog, and so I took more time to be thorough.

It may help you to have a check list of things that would be good to do now before you are in a crisis, which I hope will never happen.

Heaven
Spiritually, what is your view of heaven? Sitting on a cloud playing a harp? 24/7 worship like your church on Sunday? It does not sound very alluring does it. I urge you to get a more Biblical perspective.

In All about Heaven David Oliver seeks to answer questions on his mind following his son’s premature death with cancer. Where is he now? What is he doing? These are good questions and this book seeks to answer them, and others, from a Biblical perspective.

I found the book very edifying and it helped bring an understanding of Heaven that was attractive and exciting. I also found this website helpful: https://imagineheaven.co.uk/. John Burke explores many incidents of Near Death Experiences of people who apparently died and then returned to their bodies. Many have remarkable and exciting similarities.

Practically there are various things I urge you to do now to make life easier for those who survive you. But a disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and I offer these only as suggestions. Before you take action please take professional advice.

1. Will
   Do you have a will? It is not hard to get one written and, for married couples, mirror wills which complement each other are normal. These ensure, for instance, that your home cannot be taken when the first dies. Most important, if you have dependent children you can specify whom they should live with in event of both parents dying. But, of course, only with those people’s agreement!
2. Lasting Power of Attorney
   For many years my wife and I have had Enduring Power of Attorney with our children as executors. Recently we have converted this to Lasting Power of Attorney which has two parts. One part relates to your goods and possessions. The second relates to your health and well-being. Both give to your attorneys the power to make decisions, which always have to be in your best interests.
3. Letter of Wishes
   This can accompany your will and cover such things as particular possessions you may want to leave to defined people, your wishes concerning your funeral service, whether you would like to be cremated or buried, and so on. If built into a will it is more difficult to make changes as years pass, so by having a Letter of Wishes you can update these very easily, although they are not binding on your executors.
4. My Affairs in Order
   When you die your executors will need to know about your affairs: your finances, passwords to your computer, addresses of any relevant professionals such as solicitor and accountant, and so on. These particularly need an annual review. It is surprising how may little things change in a year.

With all of these be sure to tell someone where these documents are stored.

What have I done this year?

1. I added a codicil to my will making a small change to one of the details. Nb A witnessed signature is needed for this eg by a neighbour. That person does not need to know what the document is about just to confirm it is your signature.
2. I updated my letter of wishes
3. I visited a cemetery as I am considering a green (‘natural’) burial.
4. I updated my Affairs in Order
5. I wrote letters to each of my family ‘to be opened at my death’

Addressing these issues may seem a bit morbid but you will certainly serve those who are near and dear to you by making the effort. And if you do this now, when you do not anticipate imminent death, it can take a burden off you as it does not need to be done under pressure. It may also help you streamline some stuff that you may not have thought of.

The Best is yet to come!
I am sure none of us relishes the thought of death but let’s take heart and remember Paul’s words:

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. (Phil 1:23, 24)

Live life to the full – but be prepared for death!