What to do on your worst day…

Hello, and welcome back to Powering Your Retirement Radio. Today’s episode is not uplifting, but still worth a listen. We will all likely face this event once or twice in our lifetimes. Unfortunately, like most emotional and personal things, you learn by doing it and never really share it with anyone. So, here is an outline of things to consider when your spouse or a loved one passes away.

1	Notify Friends and Family, designate the family members who can help with some of the necessary tasks
2	Contact a funeral home, medical school crematorium according to the deceased wishes
3	If the deceased was religious, contact their place of worship to arrange for services and other customs. Flowers, Picture Boards, Videos, Memorial Cards, Readings, etc…
4	Write the obituary, and send it to the local paper and funeral home. Name, age, city of Residence, date of death, birthplace and year, parent’s name, biographic information, survivors, details of the service (Funeral home can help.
5	Update Social Media after the immediate family has been notified
6	Notify employers
7	Notify children’s schools
8	Notify Social Security
9	Notify the Professional team, Attorney, advisors, tax professional, executor
10	Locate wills and Trust
11	Order 10 to 20 Death Certificates – Funeral home or Health Department
12	Set up a spreadsheet or notebook to keep track of food, gift cards, letters, phone calls & help provided so you can thank people later.
13	Make a list of people you can lean on for help and emergencies.
14	Call DMV – Car registration Expiration, cancel DL, is Auto Insurance still valid? Varies by state.
15	Rely on supportive people
16	Accept whatever help is offered
17	Allow the emotions to come; it will be a rollercoaster
18	Be honest with children, and allow them to participate to the extent they wish
19	Do judge people’s reactions. Everyone grieves differently
20	Collect Veterans benefits
21	Determine recurring bills to be paid and or canceled
22	If the deceased was in a rental, determine the turnover of the property time frame
23	Create a calendar to keep track of important dates
24	Prepare to go through deceased possessions.
25	Practice good self-care