Love is a feeling, emotion, or action with which we are familiar.  There are many accepted and known expressions of love that span all relationships from family to friends and pets.  Sometimes, however, love can manifest itself in much sneakier ways.  One act of love, in particular, is considered drudgery by many and ignored by most.  Yet, this act is one of the most enduring acts of love one can give as a gift to their beloved.  This act is love is pre-planning.

When people hear of end-of-life pre-planning, most have responses like “I don’t have time for that,” “I am young and have plenty of time,” or “it is just to depressing to do.”  While these statements may have some truth, none of them defends carelessly ignoring your future self and your impact on those you love. Pre-planning is an expression of love; here is why.

Reasons Pre-planning is an expression of love

1. Creating a will allows you to express how you want your family to be cared for once you die.  Through a will you can designate who cares for your kids, how your assets are distributed, and how your death in celebrated.  It keeps your beloved mostly out of probate court in a time when they do not have the emotional capacity to deal with it.
2. Having your powers of attorney in place gives you a voice when you do not have one.  Legal powers of attorney allow someone to make critical financial decisions for you if you are incapacitated.  Healthcare powers of attorney allow someone to advocate your healthcare wishes on your behalf.  This removes to burden of people arguing over your wishes if you are severely ill and/or near death.
3. Pre-planning your funeral, selecting your final resting place, and picking out your memorial are loving acts for important reasons:  the cost is lower now than any time in the future, you get to decide what you want, and if removes the burden of figuring out what you want from your grieving loved ones.  What could be more loving than that?
4. Deciding to be an organ/tissue donor and making sure it is spelled out legally.  This could be one of the greatest gifts you could give in death.  You could extend the life or lives of other human beings.  What more loving gift could a person give than life to someone else?

Taking the time to consult with your doctors, lawyers, and family will set you on the path of lovingly answering all the questions you do not want others to bear.  If you do not know where to start, consider attending a Before I Die Festival.  There is valuable information, typically provided at no cost.  Visit www.beforeidieohio.com to learn more.  The gift of love is not always romantic, exciting, or joyful.  Sometimes the gift of love is simply doing right by those you love.

Schedule a pre-planning consultation with a Dodds Memorials Consultant today.