It’s often the unspeakable level of grief: preparing for the death of a parent.
A parent’s death transforms every aspect of your world. Holidays such as Father’s Day or Mother’s Day become difficult and sorrowful. Photographs and family gatherings are now bittersweet.
If your parent is in hospice care, it’s important to be well-prepared for your loss. Therefore, we’d like to offer information about preparing for the future death of a parent and some healthy ways to cope with death.
One of the best resources is Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Responds, which provides a wealth of information, including a useful workbook.
Preparing for Death of a Parent Checklist
Say the Important Things
This is an imperative time for you to tell your parent that you love them or to resolve any misunderstandings. Sometimes a simple “I’m sorry” can make a world of difference in how you are able to cope with a parent’s death.
You don’t ever want to think, “I wish that I had told my parent…” It may help to make a list so you can be sure you’ve spoken about all the things you need to.
Get Your Support Network in Place
You probably already have a network of friends and relatives upon which you can depend. Use this time to reach out to them so they will understand how they can best help you. This may mean fixing meals for you or running errands. Often, those who want to help may need some guidance on how to serve you most effectively.
Spend Time Talking About Memories
This is the time to enjoy reminiscing about the wonderful time you had together. Your parent will appreciate this trip down memory lane and the fantastic memories will be appreciated.
And speaking of memories…
Save All The Memories You Can
Do you still have questions about your parent’s life? Maybe you want to know more about that famous—yet secret—family recipe. Consider recording these for future generations or for you to enjoy later.
Understand Funeral Arrangements
We understand this is a difficult topic to discuss, but it’s essential to get a good grasp of what your parent wants for their funeral. Knowing this ahead of time will give you a sense of relief when it is time for funeral planning. You’ll never have to wonder, “Is this what they would have wanted?” because you are sure of your decisions.
Prepare Yourself Financially
In many ways, this can be the most challenging aspect of preparing for the death of a parent. It’s important to be sure that their affairs are in order. Doing so will take a lot of unneeded stress from them. It’s important to start this planning now instead of waiting until after your parent has passed, when you will be dealing with the additional stress of funeral arrangements.
Don’t’ forget to consider these central aspects of financial planning:
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