Things You Might Want to Think About
The following information can help you and your family and friends to talk about your wishes and what practical steps you can take to get your affairs in order.
Many of the patients that come into contact with the Hospice have many questions they need answering, including how to organise their affairs. This can include things like:
- Making a Will
- Arranging for someone else to manage your affairs
- Preparing for a funeral
- Organ donation including Cornea and tissue donation
Making a Will
Many people chose to make a Will to outline their wishes including what happens with their possessions (your ‘estate’), property and money after they have died.
Not everyone chooses to make a Will and if you have just enough money to pay for your funeral then a Will may not be necessary. However, if your finical affairs are more complicated and you have particular wishes of your beneficiaries should be then this will be made clear in your Will.
A Will helps you to decide what happens to your property, money and possessions (your ‘estate’) after your death, and making a Will ensures that your wishes will be carried out when the time comes.
Not everyone needs to make a Will; if you have just enough money to cover the cost of your funeral, then a Will may not be necessary. If your financial affairs are more complicated and you die without making a Will (intestate), your estate will be divided according to the rules of intestacy. This may not include your partner if you are not legally married or in a civil partnership.
You can have a solicitor support you in writing a Will up or you can write your own Will as long as you are at least 18 years of age and of sound mind. Standard forms are available from most good stationery shops and larger high street supermarkets.
Arranging for someone else to manage your affairs
If you are struggling to manage your financial affairs, you may be able to arrange for a trusted person to help you. This help can be called different things depending on what you need help with, how much help you need and how long for.
For example, you may want help to:
- Operate a bank account
- Deal with your benefit claims
- Look after your finances through a power of attorney.
Preparing for a funeral
A funeral is a significant event. It may not be easy to think about, whether it is your own or that of a relative; for example how best to commemorate a life, what to include or leave out. However, planning a funeral can be helpful for those who are approaching the end of life and is one way of ensuring that their wishes are respected.
Cornea and tissue donation
We know that organ/tissue donation can help patients and families feel comforted by knowing that they have given hope to others, and that some good has come out of their own loss. However, we also realise that not everyone feels comfortable with taking such steps.
Surveys show that although 70% of the population in this country say that they would be glad to donate an organ, only 15% actually register as a donor.
If you require support with this matter, please ask a Contact Us or click on the following links