Talking about dying is not going to kill you

TALKING about dying won’t kill you but it will make your death a lot less stressful for your loved ones.

Palliative Care Australia CEO Liz Callaghan hopes local residents will take this message on board after researchers found 82% of us would like to talk about end of life choices, but only 28% actually do so.

PCA’s online “discussion starter”, dyingtotalk.org.au, will help get the words flowing but there are a few more steps you need to take if you want all of your wishes met.

All adults, regardless of age, should complete an advanced care plan – or living will.

The plan lists the person you want to make decisions on your behalf and it will also guide doctors as to whether or not they should continue life-prolonging interventions or allow you to die naturally.

You may also complete an enduring power of attorney that allows someone you trust to take care of financial and property matters.

Advanced care plan and enduring guardianship forms can be downloaded from www. advancecareplanning.org.au.

Once you’ve got your endof-life decisions on paper, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what happens after you die.

Of course you will need a will to ensure your decisions about care of children and/or property dispersal are taken care of.

Consumer group Choice has road-tested five cheap will kits and the reviews can be found at www.choice.com.au/ money/financial-planningand-investing/financialplanning/articles/will-kitreviews.

Funerals can cost $4000 to $15,000.

Your beneficiaries may use your superannuation payout to cover your funeral expenses, you can pay for your funeral in advance or you can invest in funeral bonds.

There is also the option of funeral insurance but the Australian Securities and Investment Commission warns premiums may become unaffordable as you age and there is a chance you will pay more in insurance than the actual funeral costs.

Details: Moneysmart.gov .au/life-events-and-you/ over-55s/paying-for-yourfuneral.