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Organizing DFW
Are You Ready to Die?









Seriously. I saw an advertisement that said this and it was trying to sell
you a book on what you will need to do before you die. Seems to me
there has to be a better way to ask that question...I don't know maybe
it's just me.

Perhaps I noticed this advertisement b/c I recently attended the funeral
of my beloved Grandmother, Reba.  One of the first things I did upon
arriving in N.C. at the home of my Grandfather was proceed to clean
out his refrigerator.  This may sound absurd to you but there were
people coming over one right after another to bring food and drinks to
the family and there was no room in the refrigerator.  My grandfather
doesn't do a lot of cooking but he eats out a lot so there were a lot of
take-home carriers in there along with the normal condiments and
odds-and-ends.  We had to feed large groups of people at a time so it
was helpful to have it organized for meals.

Note to self: If you find a plastic baggie with what appears to be a
moldy cheese stick in it, do not throw it away. It is actually Uncle Larry's
insulin pen...

I flew back out a week later (this was a planned trip to visit my
grandparents) and cleaned out the fridge again.  This time to get rid of
all the items left by friends and family that had not been eaten.  There
wasn't a lot I could do for my grandfather but this I could do and he was
very happy with the end result.

Here's how to start "getting ready."

1.  Make sure someone you trust knows where to find your passwords
and user names. I suggest creating a password booklet that you keep
in a safe place.

2. Write down what final arrangements you would like to have done.
Cremation? Burial?

3. Collect the following records and keep together in a safe place:

-employment records

-insurance policies

-tax records

-retirement accounts

-real estate records

-deeds & tax records

-emergency contacts

-subscription information

-create a home inventory

-write down a family history

it seems like a lot to do and a lot to get together but it is well worth it for
your family. Remember, no one wakes-up and says today is probably
the day I am going to die.
Be prepared.

Thanks,
Pam
Organizing Lives * One Room at a Time
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