Take Steps Early To Share Your Last Wishes

• Create a will and a living will that includes financial, medical and custodial directives.

• Make a list of important personal information, such as the location of important legal and financial documents, wishes for personal belongings, as well as special pet care instructions.

• Determine the type of funeral or cremation you want, including wishes regarding songs, poems or prayers, charities and flowers.

• Write personal messages and life lessons to be shared with loved ones after you part.

• Entrust someone to be responsible for the information.

Tom and Candace Goldman recently lost loved ones and didn't know their last wishes. As the Goldmans guessed what their loved ones would have wanted, they talked about all the details they wish they had known before it was too late. Candace's mother had told her that her will was in her hatbox-no one would have found it if she hadn't mentioned it ahead of time.

Death is an uncomfortable subject that is so often avoided, but ignoring the topic and its responsibilities often results in guess- work for a loved one's funeral, finances, estate and belongings.

"When people die, they often leave conflicting details, loose ends and mysteries for their friends and families to figure out," says Reverend Ashleea Nielsen, author of the blog The Art of Living and Dying. "Preparing for death helps mitigate pain during one of the most difficult times in our lives.

"It's a free resource that helps families deal with the chaos, grieving and non-legal issues that arise after a loved one's passing. It's a place to learn about death, store final wishes and personal messages, and memorialize loved ones."

"Dealing with loss is difficult enough, but not knowing what our loved ones would have wanted made it even worse," said Tom Goldman. "We created InRepose.com to make it easier to ensure last wishes are known by those left behind. I recommend people use InRepose.com, or other similar site, now-do it for your family." Writing a will is key to making your final wishes known, but be sure that loved ones can find it.

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