End of Life Planning
Our Comprehensive End-of-Life Planning
I want to make sure I have the following information at hand: My spouse thinks that he has enrolled me in the Military's Survivors Benefit program, and I would like to verify this. We have an appointment at the VA tomorrow at 8:30 am.
Furthermore, we are planning to inquire about and finalize our burial/cremation plans to secure the current costs before they increase. We have already made arrangements to be laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery.
I can think of more fulfilling ways to use my time and money, but my parents had everything planned out. When my mom passed away, all the expenses were taken care of. The same was true when my FIL passed away. He had already made arrangements for his cremation, and it was a great relief for us during a difficult time. Once it is done, it will be worth it for peace of mind.
I want to ensure we have everything in place to provide comfort and security for the future. We've made some plans, such as the possibility of moving to a Veterans Home if one of us is diagnosed with dementia. Living there would offer stability, as they can't force me to leave if my husband passes away. While they take 55% of our total income, the benefits include free room and board, unlimited meals, free medical care, engaging activities, and a well-maintained and pleasant environment. I can keep one vehicle there and come and go as I please. I would be living in the retirement part. I'd either sell my house or rent it out. It's reassuring that my son works there and is working toward his 20-year Cal Vet Pension. Of course, we hope and pray that we never have to utilize this option, but having it as a potential safeguard for the future is comforting.
I don't believe we could afford for him to move there and me stay at the house. We’d be paying for two places.
I realize that we are lagging behind in this area, so now we're working to catch up while we are still able to make thoughtful decisions. While I trust in Jesus for eternal security, I also believe in responsibly managing our resources during our time on earth and ensuring that we make necessary provisions if we are able to do so without burdening our children financially.
Our wills were done a little while ago, but I think we should plan our funerals and where we wish to have them. It would be great to prepay those as well.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
We were supposed to have our wills done back in 2020 and then that was canceled and we just never got around to it. It’s been nagging me probably because of the widows in my group. They are a wealth of information.
DeleteGood for you for doing this. We have some of this done and see a financial planner but still need to do the actual funeral planning.
ReplyDeleteWe’re already registered at the Veterans cemetery. So at least that’s done.
DeleteThe Veteran's Home does sound nice. Your shots of the rugged mountains and that tree, and the lake with the clouds over it and lights in the distance, are simply STUNNING!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice place. The newest one of all the Cal Vet homes and they have a memory care facility so that is why it would be the right option if one of us have dementia.
DeleteMy husband and I have paid for our funeral expenses already. The kids will just have to decided what they want for the service. We also got a living trust so that they can decided what they want to do with the house. Now we need to do the medical things and Kaiser wants to take a class to help us make decisions. I just turned 69 and hubby will be 70's. It will give us peace of mind knowing our kids don't have to have any burdens put on them.
ReplyDeleteIt’s all about peace of mind and unburdening our family.
DeleteI have some plans in place, will and our bank accounts, I want to do the prepay cremation but what if the place you buy from goes out of business.
ReplyDeleteRead the fine print to see if the plan would be honored somewhere else.
DeleteI'm sure it's a very tough thing to think about but it's great you are putting a plan in place. My dad has everything figured out from the funeral, burial plot and what he wants done with his money and possessions. Both of my parents are in their late 70s and neither is doing well physically and it's been difficult to come to grasp with it all. My friend's mother just passed away and she had no life insurance or will so she's been struggling to get it all figured out. My husband and I keep talking about getting a will made up for us but since my kids are both still under 18 it's been difficult deciding who to place them with in case we both do pass before they become adults.
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard picking someone to raise your minor children in the event both parents are deceased. I’m glad those decisions are behind me.
DeleteYou’d be surprised at how many people do not have life insurance as they get older. The premiums go up and are no longer affordable so seniors have to drop their coverage. Sad
Good advice! We, too, have a blended family, but because "someone" has his head in the sand and refuses to think about these things, it's left to me to fret ... and do what I can. (I'm 74, he's 82)
ReplyDeleteThat last meme almost made me spit coffee. Hilarious!
My husband wants to do it but he doesn’t like it. The whole process stirs up emotion that many don’t want to feel or think about.
DeleteHahaha 😂 I’m glad you liked the last meme. It’s one of my favorites and seemed so appropriate after a downer post!
You are most certainly doing the right thing for yourselves and your loved ones by leaving detailed instructions, etc., in your will. My husband and I did a will several years ago, and recently updated it; we have a blended family, too. No, it's not fun, but the peace of mind is priceless. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about the peace of mind.
DeleteThank You, this is something we should get on, we have it on the To Do List, and continue to put it on the back burner.
ReplyDeleteLoved the meme. ;-)
xx oo
Carla
That's what we kept doing.
DeleteEvery few years I write up what I call Jo-Anne's last wishes informing my daughters of different things I would like them to know concerning my death and such, it isn't a set and forget thing it is something that needs updating every few years as tings ad thoughts change.
ReplyDeleteMy mom had a handwritten codicil to the original will and it held up. The attorney said she did everything right.
DeleteIt's good to make end of life plans so that your loved ones will know your wishes and they don't have to make so many decisions. I've been losing family since I was 10. It kinda scarred me because I've been sitting on "ready" ever since. I've had a Last Will since the early '80s. Now I also have a pre-written Obituary (more of a suggestion, really), all my assets & liabilities are in clearly marked files, and have the cemetery plots purchased for us both. Trying to think after the death of someone one treasures is darn near impossible. You've done well to spare others all that extra anxiety. That's very kind. God bless y'all! 💙
ReplyDeleteFor a simple obituary in November 2020, it was $500. That's why more and more people are not doing obituaries anymore. Fortunately, we had the money for my FIL, but that is a lot of money. As an amateur Genealogist, obituaries are so important for future generations.
DeleteMy mom has her funeral paid for. We have been talking about it but no plans yet. Good for you deciding now. It really is important. Janice
ReplyDeleteEven with my mom having all her financials in order, I still had to deal with her stuff - that's enough.
DeleteJust recently we just finished updating the family trust, removing my dads name off the deeds to properties, putting me as a trustee along with my mother. My parents had done their wills and made a family trust about 25 years ago but it needed to be updated. Also I now have power of attorney since my mom has dementia. We did find a few things that had been done that we have no explanation for because my dad is gone and my mother has no idea at this time of life. I also had to visit the county records office 4 times before I had all the i's dotted and the t's crossed but is finally done.
ReplyDeleteI need to work on my own now as well. I don't have any children so I plan on my niece and two nephews to receive equally any assets I still have when I pass. I have their names on 401K's but nothing else.
I was wondering if you would find me here! Happy to see you!
DeleteI don't have grandchildren - only nieces and nephews. There is one who is kind to me. The rest, are just too busy to notice that their Auntie is getting older and won't be here forever.
This is something that has been on our to-do list. After my Mom and Dad passed, and Dad did not have a Will, we talked about the importance of it. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a good thing, and then you don't have that hanging over you. Plus the longer you wait, the more expensive it will be.
DeleteThe mountain, tree, and sky photos are magical. There's just something about misty days that enhances the forest and makes nature even lovelier. The misty forest looks haunting.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Those are older photos from my blogger archive, taken by me, my sons and my husband.
Delete