Final Wishes
While it can be challenging to think about, including your final wishes in your trust and estate plan ensures that your loved ones are aware of your preferences when the time comes. This section allows you to clearly express how you want to be remembered, where and how you want to be laid to rest, and any special requests for your funeral or memorial service. By documenting these wishes, you not only help your family honor your memory, but you also relieve them of the burden of making difficult decisions during an emotional time.
1. Burial or Cremation?
One of the most significant choices is whether you want to be buried or cremated. Think about:
Burial: If you prefer burial, where would you like to be laid to rest? Do you have a family plot, or is there a particular cemetery or location that holds special meaning to you?
Cremation: If you choose cremation, what would you like done with your ashes? Would you prefer them to be kept by family members, scattered in a meaningful location, or interred in a specific place?
Scenario: You’ve decided you’d like to be cremated, and you want your ashes scattered at a location that’s special to your family. You can leave detailed instructions for your loved ones, including the exact spot and any ceremonies you wish to accompany this.
2. Funeral or Memorial Service Wishes
Your funeral or memorial service can be a deeply personal event that reflects your life and values. Consider:
Type of service: Would you like a traditional funeral, a memorial service, or a celebration of life? Should the event be formal or informal?
Religious preferences: Are there any specific religious traditions or rituals you would like to be incorporated into your service?
Funeral home or location: Is there a specific funeral home, church, or another location where you would like the service to be held?
Special requests: Do you have any specific music, readings, or people you’d like to be involved in the service?
Scenario: You might prefer a celebration of life at a favorite outdoor spot, with specific music played and a close friend leading a eulogy. Documenting this ensures that your final send-off is meaningful and personal.
3. Final Resting Place
For those choosing burial, your final resting place is an important decision. Consider:
Cemetery or mausoleum: Do you already have a family plot, or is there a specific cemetery or mausoleum where you’d like to be buried?
Family preferences: If your family has a history of being buried in a specific location, would you like to continue this tradition?
Headstone or marker: Do you have preferences for a headstone or grave marker? What would you like inscribed?
Scenario: You may have a family plot at a specific cemetery, and you want your final resting place to be alongside other family members. Including this in your trust ensures that your family knows your preference and can make the necessary arrangements.
4. Special Memorial Requests
You might have specific wishes for how your memory is honored beyond the funeral or burial. Consider:
Donations in lieu of flowers: Would you prefer that people make donations to a charity or cause important to you instead of sending flowers?
Memorial fund: Do you want to set up a memorial scholarship or fund in your name to continue your legacy in a meaningful way?
Post-service gatherings: Would you like family and friends to gather for a meal or reception after the service to celebrate your life?
Scenario: You want a memorial scholarship in your name to support aspiring medical students. Including these wishes in your trust ensures that a portion of your estate is allocated to create this fund, continuing your legacy in a way that’s meaningful to you.
5. Final Video or Letters
Some individuals wish to leave a final message for their loved ones in the form of a video or written letters. This personal touch can offer comfort and provide lasting memories for those you leave behind.
Video message: Would you like to record a final video to be shared with your family? If so, who should receive it, and when should it be shared?
Written letters: Do you want to leave letters for specific family members or friends, offering words of encouragement or saying goodbye?
Scenario: You may decide to leave a video message to be played at your celebration of life, sharing your final thoughts and offering gratitude to your loved ones. This can bring comfort and closure to those who knew you best.