Thursday Thirteen

13 Tips From the Wife of a Funeral Director

1. Join the Memorial Society http://www.funerals-nonprofit-ccms.com/, for $20 you get a lifetime membership which can save you (well actually your survivors) thousands of dollars on funeral service fees.
2. Decide on guardians for your children, it's not an easy decision but you can always change it later on down the road if circumstances change. A godparent or sponser is an individual, chosen by the parents of a child, who vows to takes responsibility for the child's religious education. They are not assumed to be legal guardians.
3. Designate special mementos that you would like passed on to specific people. Whether it be old photos, medals, property or a vehicle.
4. Have a living will. If you have this document than your wishes can be carried out, otherwise it is left to the next of kin who may or may not know how you feel about this.
5. Decide and let it be known if you would like to be buried or cremated.
6. Document if you would like to donate your body to medical science.
7. Choose an executor for your will who will be responsible for carrying out your final wishes.
8. Document if you would like to be an organ donor.
9. Decide with your family which cemetery you would like to buried at. Do you want to be laid to rest in a family plot or start a new family plot where you've relocated?
10. What type of service do you want? An Irish wake with lots of celebrating, or something more intimate for family only.
11. Have a legal will. Can't stress that one enough! It will save your survivors from being taxed on your monies/properties. I realize that we don't want to get rich from having a loved one pass away but at the same time we don't want to go into debt over it either. There are no taxes paid on chatels that are gifted to others in a legal will.
12. Always wear a seatbelt and have your child in a carseat that is appropriate for their size/weight, there are just too many deaths from collisions.
13. Live each day to its potential. Never go to bed upset with your partner and always tuck your kids in bed each night with a hug, a kiss and an I Love You. Don't let the small things bother you in life, it's too short!