Do your loved ones know what to do when your time comes?

Often mourning can be overshadowed by frustrating admin and uncertainty that may not have been addressed in your will – do you even have a will and would your loved ones be able to find it? Would they even know who is the executor of your estate in the first place?

These are questions that although some may feel uncomfortable discussing, left unanswered could mean that your estate and wishes are not fulfilled or take years to wind up.

 

So What should you have in your death folder exactly and how do you create one?

Let’s start with something as simple a gmail/google account. To create a gmail account is free and comes with limited amount of free storage on google drive – ideal to create a folder that you can share with someone you trust to manage your affairs upon your passing.

 

Here’s what you could put in your death folder – or red folder as some might call it:

  • Copy of your I.D.
  • Copy of your will / Executor details
  • Power of attorney – this should be completed and signed before anything happens (Download Template here)
  • Insurance policies
  • Funeral Policies
  • Medical Aid details
  • Copy of your marriage/divorce certificate
  • Copy of your marriage contract should you have one.
  • Title deed to your house
  • Vehicle registration papers
  • Bank account details
  • List of accounts that need to be closed
  • Email account details (logins/access)
  • Phone password – list of items to delete?
  • Efiling/SARS login details or your accountant/practitioner details
  • Social media account login details
  • Letter of wishes. This letter could contain things like:
    • End-Of-Life wishes – What kind of medical care would you want if you were unable to express your wishes yourself? Would you want indefinite measures to sustain your life no matter what or would you prefer a DNR (Do not resuscitate) order?
    • Who to inform – Who would need to know of your passing, distant relatives, friends etc.
    • What to do with your remains – Should you expressly wish to be buried, cremated or donate your body to science?
    • Your Children – Who would care for your children and manage any trusts setup for them?
    • Pets – where would your pets go upon your passing?
    • Guest list – who would you like to attend your funeral?

 

Download Checklist

 

The items are of course just a guideline to what you could have in your death folder but go along way to assisting your family ease through process of uncertainty when a family member passes away.

 

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