Why it’s Important to Express Your Final Wishes to Your Children
It’s true that in today’s world, people are living longer, healthier lives. However, at some point you will have to face the reality of your own death. As hard as this might be for any person, it is necessary to take the time to consider what your individual preferences are and communicate them accordingly to your children or loved ones. This will give you peace of mind for many important reasons.
1. You can help your children or loved ones make the right choices when the situation arises. By expressing your wishes and even beginning the process of planning, you will help prevent emotional (and expensive) last minute decisions to be made. This will ensure your children do not incur unnecessary expenses and protect their financial future.
2. Advance directives and arrangements can be made while you are living. By talking to your family about what your final wishes entail and including them in this process, you can make the majority of decisions easily and cost-effectively right now. Moreover, your children can then be given access to important records so they know what to do when the situation occurs.
3. You can reduce doubt and anxiety. Studies show that the majority of end-of-life decisions are made during a time of crisis. This not only impacts the way that decisions are made, but it also takes away from the grieving process, creating an atmosphere of doubt, anxiety, and even in some situations, frustration and anger amongst family members. By talking with your children in advance about what is important to you, highly-charged situations can be prevented, and your children will be provided the opportunity to grieve and mourn for you without other concerns or financial worries taking center stage.
It is understandable that this is a hard conversation to have. If you need additional assistance about how to approach this topic, consult with a funeral home or end-of-life counselor. The time to communicate end-of-life wishes with your children and loved ones is now.