I know you're not that old. And hopefully you're not sick.
And I know you might not feel like it because it's uncomfortable, but do it anyway.
I'm not an attorney or a non-legal paid spokesperson but I urge you to use these resources (as an example. There are many others available, including Five Wishes) to set up your own living will, advance directive, whathaveyou. Should something happen to you to render you unable to make your own decisions, these documents will help your family or caretakers make those decisions for you according to your own wishes. Take the burden off of them and make your decisions known before something happens. I have had many discussions over the years with my family and friends about my wishes but I'll repeat them here, as a declaration:
1. I do not want to be kept alive by machines, particularly if there is little likelihood that I'll return to full independence. That route is costly and inefficient and the resources can be better spent.
2. I want any and all usable parts of my remains to be donated so that they may bring someone else a new life. I am registered with Donate Life California.
3. I want any leftover bits cremated. I don't care what you do with the ashes but I would prefer being sprinkled in the mountains rather than the beach.
4. Do not have a funeral. A celebratory shared meal would be ok.
5. A portion of my estate should be used to care for my pup for the rest of her life. The rest is bequeathed to the Tibetan Nuns Project.
2 comments:
The day I turned 18 I signed up for the donation registry, and a few years later I wrote my will in something called The White Archive, where I have added details about funeral, what to do if I'm in an accident that leaves me without hope of ever waking up again, what sort of grave I want and so on. I felt that it was important to have that done :)
My husband and I did a lot of this a few years ago, at least the legal documents part. I'll admit it was done for petty reasons - I found out that the state we live in doesn't automatically hand all property and legal rights over to the spouse in case of death or inability to make decisions for myself. 50% of that goes to spouse, 50% to parents. Say what?!?!?! Ridiculous. And so even if I thought they wouldn't put any kind of a fight, it's just paperwork and hoops that nobody needs to deal with.
So nice and neat, all taken care of now and if something happens to me, they may question him but they have at least he's legally in the position to make decisions and my intentions are clear. And if we both go, that's taken care of as well.
It's all very important, whether young, old, healthy, ill, it shouldn't be assumed we have forever or that people will just know what we want. Or that the state/gov't will let it happen without proper paperwork.
Post a Comment