|
 |
Advance Planning and Decision-Making
|
Most of us agree that people who provided their loved ones with health care directives or made their funeral and burial arrangements before they died were wise and considerate. When they could think rationally and make their own choices, they relieved their surviving loved ones of a responsibility that would otherwise have burdened them during a time of deep sorrow and emotional upheaval.
So if most of us agree that it is a good idea, why do so few of us "put our own house in order" while we can? It's simply because we don't like to face the issues of our own mortality. But if we were to consider end of life decisions, not from our own perspective, but from that of our loved ones, we might act more readily to ease the burden that would otherwise fall to them. The need for quick decisions on unfamiliar matters could be largely eliminated and would prevent unnecessary stress to a grieving family. There is much we can do while we are still "of sound mind and body".
|
 |
|
Last Will & Testament. See that such a document is updated regularly and is in a safe location accessible to your executor.
Power of Attorney. It is advisable to appoint a qualified person to make decisions on your behalf should you become incompetent. This person should be someone other than your executor if possible.
Living Will (Health Care Directive). This advance directive will indicate your wishes with regard to health and palliative care.... For more information go to www.cham.mb.ca and go to publications.
Pre-arranged funeral and burial. Contact your funeral home and request information about pre-arrangements. What can be done now? Decisions such as choosing a final resting place, indicating whether you would prefer a traditional burial or cremation, choosing your own casket or urn, estimating costs, planning your funeral liturgy and even writing your own obituary are among the choices one can make ahead of time. Questions regarding pre-arrangements can be answered by contacting the funeral home in your area or by calling the Catholic Cemeteries office in Winnipeg at (204) 888-7557.
|
|
