The Importance of Estate Planning

The latter portions of your life can be a mixed bag of experiences. After decades of hard work, you may be retired and resting on your laurels. You may have an active and present role in your children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Or perhaps you have chosen to settle in a new place altogether. Regardless of where you have settled for your twilight years, it is essential to have plans for your eventual death.

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children. – Proverbs 13:22a, NIV

Taking the time now to plan for the end of your life and what happens afterward will save your grieving loved ones from significant trouble. Anyone who has dealt with the care of aged parents knows that many things need to be handled. There are legal, medical, and financial decisions that need to be made. Having as much taken care of ahead of time will prevent heartache and misunderstandings.

Wealth

Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to their own inheritance.
After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. – Joshua 24:28-30, NIV

The big question in any rich person’s murder mystery is always “Who benefits?” However, it is probably best to leave that kind of drama to the silver screen. For the sake of everyone, make things clear.

You should have a will in place to determine what happens to your wealth. In addition to real estate and bank accounts, having clear instructions for jewelry and family heirlooms may be helpful.

Initiate conversations with your children and grandchildren about heirlooms. There may be things you own that have sentimental value to you, that no one knows anything about. Your family members may have an attachment to something you would dismiss. If nobody knows the names of family members in old pictures, they could easily get tossed into an estate sale.

You can have these conversations without being morbid. Here are a few ideas for a conversation starter:

• I remember when so-and-so gave me this ____. It was so special.
• We got this __________ on that one vacation. Do you have any memories of that trip?”
• Your great grandma made this for _____.
• What is one of your favorite memories of my house?
• The reason I always use _________ at is holidays is __________.
• Do you think you would use __________?

No matter how large or small your assets are, taking time to determine what will become of them is wise and gracious. Those you leave behind should be able to focus on their grief, not worry about all the things you left behind.

Health

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” – Matthew 25:34, NIV

A natural consequence of aging is a decline in health. From more frequent bouts of illness to weakened joints, your body is just not what it used to be. Planning for your care is important.

You should know if your healthcare and insurance will cover:

• In-home care
• Surgeries
• Extended stays in a rehab center
• Glasses and hearing aids
• Joint replacements
• Medications
• Assistive devices

An important term that will come up more frequently is DNR. This is a piece of paper that will tell emergency and medical professionals how much work it takes to put into your body in the event of a dramatic health event (heart attack, stroke, etc.) This document tells medical authorities whether or not to perform CPR, use breathing tubes, IVs, etc.

If you are young and healthy you may not need a DNR, but as you age you will want to think about what you want the response to be.

Conversations about end-of-life care can be difficult. Learn what options your insurance will cover. Find out what hospice companies work in your area. Hospice often oversees a person’s last days. These companies provide nurses and CNAs and sometimes provide spiritual care as well. Having the conversations may help you feel more prepared to meet the end of your days in comfort.

Power of Attorney

And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. – Joshua 24:32, NIV

This is a phrase that often comes up when you are dealing with different medical situations. The term power of attorney (POA) refers to a legal authorization that gives a designated person the power to act for someone else. There are two main types of POAs, financial and healthcare. Some people divide the role between two different people, while others just give the responsibility to one party. If you become unable to make decisions for yourself, the POA will make those decisions.

Having these conversations before you need them will make it easier for your POA to execute your preferences. Your POA should know what you prefer in a hospice situation, where you have your important documents, passwords to accounts, etc. Choosing a trustworthy person for this role, rather than leaving it to chance.

Your POA may have to make medical decisions for you, so have honest conversations about your preferences for end-of-life care and funeral arrangements.

Burial, Funeral, and Memorial Instructions

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. – Acts 20:32, NIV

Not everyone is prepared for the expenses and extensive planning around death. Unlike a wedding, graduation, and holidays, these things are often put together in a short period. Whatever planning you can do ahead of this will make things simpler for your loved ones. Funeral homes may offer day seminars on preparing for these things.

While you may care little about what happens when you shuffle off this mortal body, someone will still have to deal with the body. By planning you can make that easy for that someone. If you have purchased a burial plot, coffin, or urn, make sure to leave those instructions with your POA.

Some choices you will have to make:

• Cremation into an urn or body in a coffin
• Open or closed casket
• Location for your body
• Headstones (or other markers)

Whether you want a traditional memorial, a celebration of life, or a church service, planning can make things easier for your grieving loved ones. If there is a pastor you want to perform the service, pieces of music, or readings you would like to be part of it, leave those instructions with someone.

You can be as detailed or as vague as you want to be, but even the outline of a plan makes things easier for the ones who need to execute the plan.

Planning for the end of your life and the aftermath may feel morbid and discouraging. The conversations may not always be easy, and you may encounter resistance. Yet for people of faith preparing for the end of this life is also preparing for life with God. Taking care of what God has entrusted to you in the here and now is wise. Making the burden of grieving as light as you can is an act of love and grace.

If you are struggling with fears about death and end of life, talking to a counselor is a good idea. You can schedule an appointment with a counselor to talk through your fears and plans.