Death is rarely a concept anyone is excited to discuss or even consider as a possibility. However, planning for death is an important part of your life that will make passing much easier for everyone involved. 

Many people wrongly assume that organizing a plan for death is as simple as calling up a burial home to arrange everything for you. It actually entails a lot more decision-making, especially when they had a lot of assets before they passed. 

Here’s some information on why death planning is so important and what to consider before you go. 

Planning for Death Helps Prepare You Emotionally

One of the most important benefits of planning for death is how it mentally and emotionally prepares you and your loved ones for what comes next. 

Do you want your care to be administered at home or at a hospice facility? Have you signed a do-not-resuscitate order to avoid further suffering as your illness progresses? 

Arranging these different aspects can help lighten the emotional load on your family as they make your after-death plans. 

Financial Reality

The reality of death is that it’s expensive for the people left behind. You have to consider funeral expenses, end-of-life medical costs, and other factors like hiring a lawyer to handle the will and estate planning. 

Mississippi is by far the most affordable place to die in the United States, with overall costs amounting to about $18,307. The most expensive place is Hawaii, where it could cost your family $42,378 on average. 

Planning for death is important if you wish to avoid unsuspected bills or being unable to afford the funeral. 

Burial and Cremation

Burial and cremation are two very different options for your family member that have their own associated costs. 

Cremation plans are much more affordable than burial plans, which may factor into your decision. You don’t have to pick out a casket or purchase a burial plot. Find some creative ideas for storing your ashes at lonestarcremation.com. 

If you intend to get buried, you’ll want to save up money in advance. 

Estate and Legacy Plans

What happens to your belongings when you die? If you’ve made a will or estate plans, then you’ll have a designated beneficiary or lawyer to manage everything after you’re gone. Those who haven’t made plans leave everything up to the courts. 

Property that has been probated will be distributed to your rightful beneficiaries as the court decides. As such, you may end up giving shares to a company to the wrong people or leaving your business in the wrong hands. 

Avoid Last Minute Funeral Troubles

The last thing you want to think about when you’re grieving a loved one is how you’re going to pay for their funeral service. It’s especially traumatizing because you won’t be able to choose a cemetery or plot if you can’t afford it. Planning for death only takes a little bit of time in advance and it’s well worth it. 

Check out our other articles for more information on finance and other similar topics.