<span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Laurel McLaughlin has over a decade worth of experience in various sectors of the elder care field- home care, senior living, and non-profits. She has a Master&rsquo;s in Gerontology and is a certified dementia practitioner.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:769,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0}">Laurel McLaughlin has over a decade worth of experience in various sectors of the elder care field- home care, senior living, and non-profits. She has a Master&rsquo;s in Gerontology and is a certified dementia practitioner.

When your loved one reaches the end of their life, it can be hard to accept. Learn how to respect your loved one's final wishes during their end-of-life transition.

How To Respect & Support Your Loved One’s Final Wishes  | Ready Set Care

How To Respect & Support Your Loved One’s Final Wishes

Two topics most people would rather avoid are finances and death. But as they say, there are only two certainties in life - taxes and death.&nbsp;
Pre-paid or pre-need funeral plans can give you and your family peace of mind at the end of life. Pre-paying for funeral arrangements seems to make the most sense seeing as the cost of a funeral only goes up over time.&nbsp;
Still, many families wait until their loved one dies before they scramble to make funeral arrangements and end up paying current-day lump sum costs for burial or cremation services. It is far better to have all <a href="https://www.readysetcare.com/resources/articles/legal-documents-for-caregivers">legal documents in place as a caregiver</a> before needing them.
When a loved one dies, the experience can be traumatic and stressful. The grief and sadness can be overwhelming, and the after-death tasks overwhelming. Settling the estate, gathering the death certificate, accessing the bank accounts, and informing family members of the death are just a few of the responsibilities.&nbsp;
Making funeral arrangements in advance and having a prepaid plan gives the family less to worry about and <a href="https://www.readysetcare.com/resources/articles/how-to-respect-support-your-loved-one-s-final-wishes-">respects and supports your loved one&rsquo;s final wishes</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h2>Different Types of Pre-Paid Funeral Plans</h2>
The cost of a funeral continues to rise, with the average in 2022 between $7000-$9000. But costs can soar over $20,000 depending on the plan.&nbsp;
There are several types of pre-paid funeral plans. For those individuals who choose cremation with no service or burial, the process is simple.&nbsp;
Most cremation companies allow you to register online and pay at the time of body collection and authorization of cremation. Many cremations are less than $1000 and are growing in popularity.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s look at the financial payment options for prepaid funeral plans.
&nbsp;
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">1. Pre-Pay in Full</h3>
One option is pre-paying for the total cost of your loved one&rsquo;s funeral and burial costs in advance. By prepaying your funeral in full, you choose the funeral home you want to carry out all of your services.&nbsp;
You can determine every aspect of funeral expenses and should have no other costs for the family to pay unless they change parts of the service after your death. You can transfer your loved one&rsquo;s plan to another funeral home if they change while they are still alive. 
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">2. Totten Trust</h3>
A Totten trust is where one party places money in a bank account with instructions that upon the person&rsquo;s death, whatever is in that account will pass to a named beneficiary.&nbsp;
This payable upon death account or POD account can accrue interest depending on the account type. The money can then be used to pay for funeral services. 
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">3. Revocable or Irrevocable Trusts</h3>
A revocable trust or irrevocable trust protects the grantor&rsquo;s assets and avoids probate after death. Probate is a court proceeding that distributes assets of the will to beneficiaries. With a trust, once the grantor dies, the assets go to the beneficiaries or trustees.
Purchasing an irrevocable funeral trust can also allow an applicant to pay in advance for a funeral plan, reducing countable assets and eligibility for Medicaid to go into a nursing home.&nbsp;&nbsp;
An <a href="https://www.readysetcare.com/resources/articles/medicaid-myths-debunked">irrevocable funeral trust is not counted as an asset by Medicaid.</a> 
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">4. Life Insurance or Burial Insurance Policy</h3>
Many life insurance policies will provide a payout to the beneficiary of a lump sum payable upon death. The death benefit will pay for your survivors' funeral or any other general financial needs.&nbsp;
With this plan, the amount is payable upon death and doesn&rsquo;t have to go through probate.&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s also burial insurance, which is a policy that pays death-related costs, and pre-need insurance. Burial insurance is a whole life insurance policy sold in small amounts, such as $5,000 to $25,000. These policies are meant to pay final expenses and funeral costs.
&nbsp;
<h2>How To Choose A Pre-Paid Funeral Plan</h2>
Choosing a pre-paid funeral plan, also known as a preneed plan, should be part of your loved one&rsquo;s final arrangements for their estate plan. Cost, family dynamics, your loved one&rsquo;s wishes, and personal preference all factor into the decision.&nbsp;
Having the funds set aside is one thing, but the actual plan is another. Your loved one can set the money aside without choosing a funeral home or plan yet - ask your loved one for specifics on what they would like after they die.&nbsp;
Some questions to ask the funeral director before deciding to pre-pay with a specific funeral home:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Does my loved one have the option of paying for their funeral plan in installments, and what are the premiums?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li aria-level="1">Can I or my loved one cancel the contract?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li aria-level="1">Does my loved one have the option of transferring my plan to another funeral home?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li aria-level="1">If I or my loved one cancel the contract, how much of the money will be refunded?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li aria-level="1">Can the contract be transferred to another funeral home?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li style="text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">What happens if the services and items chosen are not available at the time of my loved one&rsquo;s death?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li aria-level="1">Is the money prepaid for my loved one&rsquo;s funeral kept in a trust? And if so, how much of it is?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li style="text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">What happens when my loved one dies out of state or in another county or city?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li aria-level="1">What happens if the casket or other services are not available at the time of my loved one&rsquo;s death?</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li aria-level="1">What happens if you go out of business?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">What precisely is included in the prepaid plan? Most plans will cover the casket, flowers, transportation, funeral services, cemetery and headstone, and cremation if requested.&nbsp; </li>
</ul>
<h2>Potential Problems with Pre-Paid Funeral Plans</h2>
Although pre-paid funeral plans provide peace of mind for family members, there are potential risks and problems: 
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Don&rsquo;t transfer: Not all plans transfer to a different funeral home, meaning your loved one will only be able to use one funeral home. If your loved one changes locations or moves, they could be out of luck </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Out of business: If the funeral home goes out of business, there may not be any financial recours </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Not all expenses may be covered: Aside from your loved one&rsquo;s funeral and final resting place, there could be other fees your family might be stuck with. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lack of Flexibility: These plans don&rsquo;t have a lot of flexibility. Once your loved one dies, your family may not be able to make changes.&nbsp; </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Protection: Most states don&rsquo;t offer much protection for those who pre-pay for funerals.&nbsp; </li>
</ul>
<h2>Prepaid Funeral Plans&nbsp;</h2>
Prepaid funeral arrangements can work if you and your loved one understand all of your options for either paying upfront or setting money aside.&nbsp;
The important part is knowing what type of funeral you want, cremation versus earth burial, and any other significant aspects of services that your loved one wants.&nbsp;
Rather than telling family members your desires, write them down, so everyone is clear about this important ritual at the end of life.

<span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;A Certified Care Manager, Aging Life Care Professional, and Certified Master Guardian Emeritus.\nShe is also the founder of Lambert Care Management, providing care management and consultation services to older and disabled adults. She has 20+ years of experience in geriatrics, with expertise in mental health, home health, and guardianship, as well as all aspects of care planning, including assessment, projected costs of care, client advocacy and education, caregiver coaching, and advance directives. She is also co-author with Leslie Eckford of Choose Your Place: Rethinking Home as You Age (2020), Aging with Care: Your Guide to Hiring and Managing Caregivers at Home (Rowman and Littlefield 2018).&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:13059,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;4&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2},&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:11}">Amanda Lambert is a Certified Care Manager, Aging Life Care Professional, and Certified Master Guardian Emeritus. She is also the founder of Lambert Care Management, providing care management and consultation services to older and disabled adults. She has 20+ years of experience in geriatrics, with expertise in mental health, home health, and guardianship, as well as all aspects of care planning, including assessment, projected costs of care, client advocacy and education, caregiver coaching, and advance directives. She is also co-author with Leslie Eckford of Choose Your Place: Rethinking Home as You Age (2020), Aging with Care: Your Guide to Hiring and Managing Caregivers at Home (Rowman and Littlefield 2018).

Is your loved one confused about purchasing a prepaid funeral plan? This article explores the different types of prepaid funeral plans they need to be aware of.

What Are Prepaid Funeral Plans & How Do They Work? | Ready Set Care

What Are Prepaid Funeral Plans & How Do They Work?

When a loved one passes away, whether suddenly or not, you don&rsquo;t always have time to sit in your grief. Instead, you might find yourself suddenly in the midst of funeral home decisions, getting a death certificate, or choosing a cemetery plot with other family members. 
There is a lot to do when a loved one dies, and it can quickly become overwhelming without a step-by-step checklist to get you through the process.
Here is what you need to know about the steps to take after a loved one dies. Remember, you and your family members do not have to take on these tasks. Some you can delegate to close friends or trusted professionals as you navigate this difficult time. 
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">6 Steps To Follow After Your Loved One Passes Away </h2>
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">1. Obtain A Death Certificate</h3>
Before you can obtain a death certificate, you must get a legal pronouncement of death. The declaration of death legally states the person has died and you will need this paperwork in order to begin planning a funeral, obtaining an official death certificate, and closing out your loved one&rsquo;s estate.
Of course, immediately asking for an official declaration of death is not the first thing you will be thinking of after your loved one dies, and that is okay. If your loved one passes away in a hospital, senior living community, or <a href="../articles/what-to-know-about-hospice">hospice care</a>, the team will take care of that task. If your loved one passes away at home without medical professionals there, you will need to call 9-1-1 in order for first responders to declare the death and then take them to the funeral home of your choice.&nbsp;
It takes about 1-3 weeks for a death certificate to be officially processed, depending on the state you live in and the speed of their governmental agencies. Plan on securing at least 10 certified copies of a death certificate, as you, or the designated executor of the will, need the official copy in order to close out bank accounts, credit card accounts, etc. While you are requesting certified copies from government agencies, consider getting a few copies of your loved one&rsquo;s birth certificate as well. You might need this documentation moving forward. 
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">2. Let Others Know About Your Loved One's Passing</h3>
Immediately after your loved one dies, you will want to communicate that with close family and friends. Keep in mind that you don&rsquo;t need to jump on social media or send out a mass email to acquaintances about the death in those first few hours or days. You may want to make a more broad announcement a few days later when you can also give out funeral arrangements. If you don&rsquo;t want to send out the notification text, delegate another family member or friend to take care of the communication on your behalf.
Other communication you can take care of, or delegate to someone else, include:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Writing and submitting the obituary</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Sending notifications about where guests can send flowers or donate money on behalf of the person who passed away</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Planning the readings or passages to be read during funeral services</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Notifying the deceased&rsquo;s workplace, if applicable</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Keeping family and friends notified about funeral plans or the memorial service online via social media or email</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Writing thank-you notes or keeping a list of people to write thank-you notes to after the funeral service</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Speaking with important groups, such as a church fellowship group or Veterans group, if applicable</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">3. Plan the Funeral and Burial Services</h3>
If your loved one already had <a href="../articles/how-to-respect-support-your-loved-one-s-final-wishes-">their preferences laid out</a>, planning the funeral, burial, or cremation will consist of making those plans become a reality. <a href="../articles/prepaid-funeral-plans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Work with the funeral home staff to see if there were any pre-payments</a> or pre-selections made as a part of the estate planning process, which will decrease the choices you have to make or fees you need to pay.&nbsp;
The funeral director will be there to make the process as easy as possible for you and your family members. They will help you remember to consider funeral arrangements like:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Selecting pallbearers</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Choosing readings or passages for the service</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Pulling together photos for a slide show or memorial poster</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Publishing the obituary</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">How to provide notifications to the community about the services</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Refreshments for the wake and services</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Connecting with a local restaurant or catering company for any event after the burial</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">4. Take Care Of Your Loved One's Property</h3>
Immediately following the death of a loved one, you should take care of the person&rsquo;s home or property to ensure safety for anyone or anything still living in the home. For example, make arrangements for someone to take care of any pets, clear out any food in the refrigerator or cabinets that will go bad in the next few weeks or months, and pick up their mail. Doing these tasks will allow you to take some time before you need to make more permanent decisions about the property and any other real estate.
Once you are ready, and after the probate period is complete, you can begin taking care of property needs such as:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Go to the post office to stop all mail, or choose to forward mail to your address instead. Remember to bring along copies of the death certificate as they might be needed. Stopping all mail will prevent any potential identity theft and will help you go through the mail in order to begin closing down your loved one&rsquo;s bank account, credit cards, or other accounts through various financial institutions.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Locate the person&rsquo;s will and other estate planning documents. Hopefully, you or the designated Power of Attorney will know right where to find it so you can take it to a lawyer as needed and begin executing their decisions. If you don&rsquo;t know where to find it, contact their lawyer.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">You&rsquo;ll want to close out any bank accounts when allowed, including removing any valuables from a safe deposit box, if applicable.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Contact an accountant so that they can file any final tax return on the deceased&rsquo;s behalf.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cancel any recurring bills, like WiFi, subscriptions to streaming services, or other bills.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Keep track of any bills that you cannot cancel, such as a mortgage or homeowner insurance. You can forward this information to the estate&rsquo;s executor, Financial <a href="../articles/legal-documents-for-caregivers">Power of Attorney</a>, or accountant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">5. Contact Your Local SSA office &amp; Life Insurance Company</h3>
In order to stop payments from the Social Security Administration, you will need an official copy of the person&rsquo;s death certificate. Contact your local SSA office in order to notify them of the death. While many funeral homes take care of this task, it is best for you to ensure it happens by adding it to your to-do list.
If your loved one had life insurance policies, you will need to find the policy and contact the company to inform them of the death. This is the first step in getting payments to beneficiaries and dependents. Again, you will need an official copy of the death certificate in order to do so. Keep in mind that your loved one may have worked with multiple life insurance companies, so you might have to go through this process a few times. 
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">6. Consider Notifying A Few More Agencies</h3>
Finally, notify these agencies, if applicable, of your loved one&rsquo;s death. Doing so in a timely manner, no more than six months after the death, will help to prevent identity theft and any extra expenses:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">DMV Cancel your loved one&rsquo;s Driver&rsquo;s License through your local office. Keep a copy of the cancellation for your records. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Credit Card Companies Cancel all credit cards and shred any cards. Keep a copy of the cancellation information for your records. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Health Care Insurance This includes Medicare, long-term care insurance, car insurance, and other applicable insurance companies. Use a copy of the death certificate to expedite the process. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;" aria-level="1">Email Accounts &amp; Other Digital accounts.&nbsp; This can feel frustrating at times especially if the website doesn&rsquo;t have a quick FAQ to help you get it done efficiently. Stick with it, as the risk of digital identity theft increases after death.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Finally, consider running a credit report on your loved one a few months after their death and then again around the year anniversary of their death. This will help you notice any identity theft immediately so that you can take care of it quickly. 
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Remember To Delegate Tasks &amp; Ask For Help</h2>
It can be difficult navigating the many tasks and chores that can come after a loved one&rsquo;s death. Remember to delegate and ask for help. You are not alone. 
See if you can bring a friend along for the visit to the social security office or to the lawyer&rsquo;s office to review the deceased&rsquo;s estate planning documents. You will find that family and friends are more than willing to help with large and small tasks to help get you through this difficult time.

Haley Burress is <span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;A senior care and caregiving expert. She worked in senior care for more than 15 years before writing for senior care agencies and professional caregivers full time. She has experience in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Memory Care as well as Adult Day services and home care.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:15169,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:5197647},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:11}">a senior care and caregiving expert. She worked in senior care for more than 15 years before writing for senior care agencies and professional caregivers full-time. She has experience in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Memory Care as well as Adult Day services and home care.

Learn what to do when a loved one dies, as well as how to manage the immediate and long-term obligations.

What To Do When Your Loved One Dies: A Step by Step Guide | Ready Set Care

What To Do When Your Loved One Dies: A Step by Step Guide

There are various types of heart conditions and cardiovascular problems that qualify for disability. Learn more here.

How To Talk To An Aging Loved One About End-Of-Life Decisions | Ready Set Care

How To Talk To An Aging Loved One About End-Of-Life Decisions

One of the realities of life over which you have no control is losing someone you love. Coping with the death of a <a href="https://www.readysetcare.com/resources/articles/when-your-spouse-is-now-your-patient">spouse</a>, is among life&rsquo;s most challenging experiences. For a time, you will likely be heartbroken. You may not know how to move forward with your life or how to address your sadness. Yet, as we age, we are one step closer to our end. If you are caring for your spouse with a chronic or life-threatening illness chances are you are already experiencing some measure of grief. Although you won&rsquo;t be able to avoid the pain of losing someone with whom you have shared your life it is possible to develop a plan that allows you to focus on working through your sadness. Consider implementing the following six strategies as you prepare for the death of your aging spouse:
&nbsp;
<h2>6 Ways To Prepare For The Death Of An Aging Spouse</h2>
&nbsp;
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">1. Grant Yourself the Gift Of Grace as Accept Your New Reality</h3>
It doesn't matter how healthy or sick a person gets; we should all acknowledge that our time on the earth is limited. This is hard to do because even if you acknowledge in your mind your spouse is no longer with you, you may not be able to accept it in your heart.&nbsp;
Your mind will likely allow you to simply go through the motions. In fact, when enough time passes and you look back on the time when you lost your spouse, it may seem like a blur.&nbsp;
Grant yourself the gift of grace until you are ready to accept your loss fully.&nbsp;
While acceptance is necessary for your mental health and well-being it will likely be difficult after the departure of the one with whom you hoped to live happily ever. Remember there are no time limits when it comes to the grieving process. While grieving is essential, so is taking care of yourself. As soon as reality hits you, it may affect your physical and mental health.&nbsp;
For example, you may not feel like eating or drinking, and you might have trouble sleeping. In such difficult times, it is best not to be alone and be in the company of family members or close friends. Should you feel that your sadness is unresolved or that you are experiencing complicated grief you will want to reach out to your doctor or a therapist. You will know your grief is complicated when your sadness lasts six months or longer and if you display a general disinterest in participating in normal everyday life activities. This could mean you are burying your feelings or when you generally feel hopeless.
&nbsp;
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">2. Remember that Your Grief Belongs to You</h3>
When a loved one dies, there are no rules to follow in regard to how you grieve. You will grieve in your own way. While some people are able to move on with their lives sooner, others may require more time. If you find yourself taking more time compared to others to deal with the loss of someone you love, know that your grief belongs to you. It is absolutely okay to take as much time as possible to grieve. Some days you will feel as though you are okay and the pain will seem as though it has lifted. Then after putting in your best efforts, something may trigger your sadness and make you feel as though the never-ending pain won't go away. Holidays, family events, and anniversaries can trigger your sadness. In truth, you often don't have control over your feelings. You may find it helpful to talk about the memories you made with your husband or wife. Some find taking time to reflect, participating in a hobby, journaling, or volunteering helps to relieve their feelings of sadness. You are encouraged to do what works best for you.
&nbsp;
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">3. Do Not Self-Isolate</h3>
If your loved one has a terminal illness you may feel hopeless, depressed, <a href="https://www.readysetcare.com/resources/articles/acknowledging-fear-and-grief">scared</a>, or anxious. These feelings are associated with anticipatory grief or feeling of deep sadness prior to your spouse passing away. The fact that you are going to lose your spouse regardless of trying everything to care for them is enough to make you feel as though you are going crazy. Left unaddressed, these feelings can lead to a complicated grief response after your spouse passes away. 
That's why it is important to take care of yourself. As much as you may wish to be isolated, it's not a healthy way to grieve a loss.&nbsp;
Include your loved ones, such as your close relatives and friends, in your loss. Share your thoughts and fears with them. If someone offers help, accept it. Stay in touch with people who care for you to remind yourself that the world is full of amazing human beings who make life worth living. And if you don't have such friends, join a support group. Aside from self-care, consider getting a pet for grief support. Not only will it accompany you throughout the period of depression, but it will also keep you busy, thereby distracting your mind from constant grief.
&nbsp;
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">4. Make Every Moment Count</h3>
Be as expressive with your spouse as possible. Say &ldquo;I love you&rdquo; more than once a day and show care to your spouse whenever you get a chance. Oftentimes, we take life for granted and avoid expressing how we feel. What needs to be remembered is that one day, you will only be left with these sweet memories after your loved one is gone. Therefore, make as many beautiful memories together as possible. A dying person doesn't only need access to hospice care or palliative care in their last moments; they need love and affection. You can provide your spouse with comfort during the end of life by being easy and loving.
In addition, avoid the mistake of waiting for the &ldquo;perfect moment&rdquo; to express your feelings. Some have the tendency to wait for the perfect time, place, occasion, or event to acknowledge their love for their spouse. What you must realize is that every moment is amazing when you are with your spouse. Therefore, make every second count.
Making memories is not all about expressing your love; it also means living a life full of happy and adventurous moments and experiences. Ask the healthcare provider if you can plan a short vacation with your spouse to spend quality time together. Watch movies, have dinner dates, and go for long drives. If their physical health doesn't allow a lot of travel or they are receiving hospital care, they can just go to a nearby park, eat snacks, and just talk about life. Taking advantage of these important moments will help you cope with the sadness when your spouse is gone. At least the memories you made with them will last forever in your heart. 
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">5. Have a Plan Outlining Final Wishes</h3>
It is important for you to have sufficient knowledge about your spouse&rsquo;s living will, property, life insurance, or assets of any form in their name, ahead of time. Assets may include finances, personal items, property, or others. You also need to know the name of any lawyers or financial advisers/asset managers responsible for the distribution of property. Moreover, you will also want to ask your spouse to share financial information, such as account numbers and banking information. This might not be an easy conversation, but it is much more difficult to address final wishes as sometimes, one spouse takes responsibility for the finances without sharing any information with the other, leading to potential problems after they pass away. Therefore, having sufficient knowledge about the assets and where they are located will save you from future distress. You may find the <a href="https://www.fivewishes.org/for-myself/">Five Wishes</a> document useful to document your spouse&rsquo;s end-of-life preferences including funeral plans. 
<h3 style="padding-left: 36pt;">6. Plan Your Life Afterwards</h3>
Have you ever heard of the term &ldquo;<a href="https://www.uhhospitals.org/Healthy-at-UH/articles/2018/05/the-widowhood-effect">the widowhood effect</a>&rdquo;? You may have seen in movies that a person would die soon after the loss of their spouse. Well, it is not just fiction; the concept of dying from a broken heart is a medical condition. The phenomenon of the widowhood effect can be described as a condition in which the mortality rate among adults increases due to their grief after their spouse&rsquo;s death. In fact, a study conducted in 2013 and published in the <a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2007.114348">Journal of Public Health</a> found that individuals had an increased risk of dying within the first 90 days of their spouse&rsquo;s death regardless of sex (women and men).
The initial time after the memorial service or during funeral arrangements is always difficult for the spouse and adult children who can realize who they have lost. The grief, depression, and hopelessness you experience are painful. It will be difficult, but it is imperative that you find purpose in life. Discover new hobbies and learn new skills. Do something that you had always wanted to do but never got a chance to do. Set small goals and put forth your best efforts into achieving them.
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<h2>How To Cope Even When You Feel Unprepared</h2>
While you may be hurting now and continue to experience some measure of grief for the rest of your life, remember that there will be moments when you can still experience some measure of joy. Preparing for the loss of a spouse can be emotionally exhausting. It will require you to accept how you feel in the moment. Acknowledge that it is okay to feel grief and not feel guilty when you do. Remember to share the beautiful memories you and your spouse shared.

Dr. Eboni Green is a <span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;A Registered Nurse and family caregiver expert. She holds a PhD in human services, with a specialization in health care administration. She has extensive experience focusing on caregivers' health and wellness, with an emphasis on caregiver stress, burnout, and related family conflicts. She has contributed to several publications and given presentations that focus on training, assessing, and supporting caregivers throughout their caregiving journeys. Green is also a published author and has written three books focusing on family caregiving: At the Heart of the Matter, Caregiving in the New Millennium, and Reflections from the Soul.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:8961,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;16&quot;:11}">Registered Nurse and family caregiver expert. She holds a Ph.D. in human services, with a specialization in health care administration. She has extensive experience focusing on caregivers' health and wellness, with an emphasis on caregiver stress, burnout, and related family conflicts. She has contributed to several publications and given presentations that focus on training, assessing, and supporting caregivers throughout their caregiving journeys. Green is also a published author and has written three books focusing on family caregiving: At the Heart of the Matter, Caregiving in the New Millennium, and Reflections from the Soul.

Coping with the death of a spouse is one of life’s most challenging experiences. This article focuses on how you might address your sadness before they pass and after they're gone.

The Post-Caregiving Life: How To Prepare For the Death Of An Aging Spouse | Ready Set Care

The Post-Caregiving Life: How To Prepare For the Death Of An Aging Spouse

When your loved one is reaching the end of their life, it can be tough to know how to best prepare for the inevitable. We can help you. Our RSC experts have compiled all the end-of-life information you may need to know.

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